Maine, The Way Fall Should Be - Phippsburg, Fort Popham

We’re having an outstanding fall here in Maine, with 60-degree days and crystal clear blue skies. We took advantage of the spectacular weather to photograph some of the newest additions to our fall line at beautiful Fort Popham State Park; just an hour’s drive to the coast from Rancourt’s home base. The morning sun was sparkling off the water as we cruised down to the tip of the Phippsburg peninsula.

The stately Fort Popham is a popular visitors’ site. It went under construction in 1862; it was intended to fortify and protect Maine's capital, Augusta, from potential (but unrealized) Confederate incursions, and to safeguard strategically important shipbuilding along the busy Kennebec River. The fort was built at the mouth of the river and near the site of the earliest European settlement in Maine, the Popham Colony.

The structure has withered a bit over time, but it’s still a prime example of the early fortifications built along Maine’s coast. Composed of huge granite blocks, quarried from nearby Fox and Dix Islands, the fort had a unique crescent shape, almost 500 feet in length.

Inside the 30-foot-high walls were 36 cannons, each weighing close to 25 tons. On the back side of the structure, a low moated curtain was built, featuring 20 musket ports around a central gate. Despite Fort Popham’s many impressive features, it was never fully completed. It was rendered obsolete after construction began on Fort Baldwin, on the headland above. Fort Popham’s cannons couldn’t match the range of Fort Baldwin’s state-of-the-art artillery.

In 1969, Fort Popham was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today the extensive remains of the structure continue to attract history buffs, but it’s also well-regarded for its fishing opportunities. Additionally, the area is a haven for photography enthusiasts. The architectural remnants of the fort, the local wildlife, and the breathtaking landscape offer a plethora of appealing subjects. Otters, seals, and a diverse array of bird species inhabit the peninsula. Safety measures necessitate some restrictions, but most of the area is accessible, providing visitors with ample space to explore the beauty of Fort Popham State Historic Site and its surroundings.

The site is also just a short drive from the lively little cities of Bath and Brunswick, which boast their own intriguing historical sites, unique museums, inviting shops, and great restaurants. We’ll share one of our favorite dining destinations in Brunswick (home to Bowdoin College) in our next post, as we continue to highlight some of the best of Maine.