Fortress sights in USA
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Fort Sewall
Walking east on Front St, you will reach Fort Sewall, perched on a rocky rise at the mouth of the harbor. The 17th-century fort expanded during the American Revolution and is now a pleasant park.
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Fort Madison
The American Fort Madison (earlier called Fort Porter and dating to 1808) is further west along Perkins St, opposite Madockawando St. Like Castine's other two forts, these are now low earthworks, park-like and grass-covered.
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Fort Barrancas & Advanced Redoubt
On a dramatic bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay, 19th-century Fort Barrancas was built by slaves atop an abandoned 18th-century Spanish fort. The fort, now part of the National Park Service, has endless dark passageways to explore, but not much in the way of displays. A half mile away via a walking trail lie the ruins of Advanced Redoubt, a Civil War–era fort. Wander around on your own, or wait for one of the regularly scheduled ranger tours (2pm daily at Barrancas and 11am Saturday at Advanced Redoubt).
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Fort George
Close to the Maine Maritime Academy campus, Fort George is near the upper (northern) end of Main St where it meets Battle Ave and Wadsworth Cove Rd. Like Castine's other two forts, these are now low earthworks, park-like and grass-covered.
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Fort Lesley J McNair
Located just south of Waterside Park, this was an army post established in 1791; it was burned by the British in 1814. The Lincoln-assassination conspirators were hung at McNair in 1865; it now houses the National Defense University and National War College (closed to the public).
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Fort William Henry
A quarter-mile south of Pemaquid Beach lies the remains of Fort William Henry. A replica of a 17th century fort, this circular stone structure boasts commanding views, old foundations from the 1600s, a burial ground with interesting tombstones, an archaeological dig and a small museum.
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Fort Caroline National Memorial
This memorial is the administrative headquarters of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, a confederation of federal, state and local parks – some located on Talbot and Fort George Islands. The confederation works with private landowners to maintain the St John’s River ecosystem.
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Fort Egbert
To the north of town is Fort Egbert, which can be reached from the Taylor Hwy via 4th Ave. The BLM has restored the old army fort, which once contained 37 buildings; among the structures are the restored mule barn, carriage house, doghouse and officers' quarters, which are clustered together in one section of the fort. You can wander past it on your own but the Eagle Historical Society tour is the only way to go inside.
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Fort Pentagöet
While Castine lacks a great stone citadel like Fort Knox, it did have some important fortifications, though these are low earthworks, now park-like and grass-covered. Close to the Maine Maritime Academy campus, Fort George is near the upper (northern) end of Main St where it meets Battle Ave and Wadsworth Cove Rd. Look for Fort Pentagöet. The American Fort Madison (earlier called Fort Porter and dating to 1808) is further west along Perkins St, opposite Madockawando St.
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Fort Mason Center
San Francisco takes subversive glee in turning military installations into venues for nature, fine dining and out-there experimental art – evidence, Fort Mason. The military mess halls are gone, replaced by vegan-friendly Greens, a restaurant run by a Zen community. Warehouses now host cutting-edge theater at Magic Theatre and improvised comedy workshops at BATS, and the dockside Herbst Pavilion has art fairs and craft fairs in its arsenal – see the website for upcoming performances and events.
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Georges Island
Georges Island is the transportation hub for the islands, as the inter-island shuttle leaves from here. It is also the site of Fort Warren, a 19th-century fort and Civil War prison. While NPS (National Park Service) rangers give guided tours of the fort, it is largely abandoned, with many dark tunnels, creepy corners and magnificent lookouts to discover.
The extensive picnic area attracts large groups of kids, as do the family programs like children's theater (Fri) and family fun days (Sat & Sun). This is one of the only islands with facilities like a snack bar and rest rooms (most other islands have outhouses).
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Fort Seward
Fort Seward, reached by heading uphill (east) at the Front St-Haines Hwy junction, was Alaska's first permanent army post. Built in 1903 and decommissioned after WWII, the fort is now a national historical site with an increasing number of restaurants, lodges and art galleries utilizing the original buildings. A walking-tour map of the fort is available at the visitors center, or you can just read the historical panels that have been erected there.
Within the parade ground is Totem Village. Although not part of the original fort, it includes two tribal houses and totem poles and is the home of the Chilkat Storytellers Theater Show, an hour-long performance of Alaska…
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Fort Knox State Historic Site
The newest attraction in town is the Penobscot Bridge Observatory, an enclosed observation deck offering panoramic views from its 420ft perch above the Penobscot Narrows. The elevators that whisk you up top are on the grounds of the Fort Knox State Historic Site, just out of town and north of the bridge on ME 174. Not to be confused with the US army’s bullion depository in Kentucky, this Fort Knox dates from 1844, and was built as a bulwark against a British invasion. The huge granite fortress dominates the Penobscot River Narrows, which was an important gateway to Bangor, the commercial heart of Maine’s rich timber industry. Bring a flashlight if you plan a close…
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Fort Schwatka
Most of the Aleuation WWII National Historic Area preserves Fort Schwatka on Mt Ballyhoo, the highest coastal battery ever constructed in the USA. Looming nearly 1000ft above the storm-tossed waters of the Bering Sea, the US Army fort encompassed more than 100 concrete observation posts, command stations and other structures built to withstand earthquakes and 100mph winds.
The gun mounts here are still among the best preserved in the country and include tunnels that allowed gunners to cart ammunition from one side of the mountain to the other. The 1634ft mountain is behind the airport and can be climbed to look at military artifacts or enjoy excellent views of Unalaska…
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Fort Stevens Park
In a raid on July 11, 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens, the northernmost of the defensive ramparts ringing the city. A small but fierce battle raged – the only time the Civil War touched District soil – until Early’s men withdrew across the Potomac. Abraham Lincoln himself was drawn into the shooting: the president, observing the battle from Fort Stevens’ parapet, popped his head up so many times that Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr, then a Union captain, yelled ‘Get down, you damn fool, before you get shot!’ The fort has been partially restored, and 41 Union men who died in its defense are buried at tiny Battleground National Cemetery…
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