Fort Stark State Historic Site — Attraction in New Castle

This is an early 1900s coastal defense which was upgraded during WWII to include a concrete command structure which was supposed to resemble a seaside mansion rising above the trees as a ruse for U-Boats. The bunkers, mansion structure, and gun mounts for the coastal artillery still remain as does a turn of the century oil storage hut and a powder house. Most of the features have a sign indicating the name and year of construction. Local volunteers have done a lot to maintain the grounds, but the State needs to do more regarding the graffiti and vandalism of the lower bunkers. The park is off the beaten path, but has parking and a small beach with great views of the Isle of Shoals (8 miles distant), and a stone jetty/breakwater on the backside made from stone slabs which are easily 15'x3'x5' each. There are a lot of rabbits, woodchucks, birds, chipmunks etc running around as well. When it was hovering above 90 degrees inland, the park was easily 15 degrees cooler with a nice breeze. It's a great place to read, picnic, sit and watch the water, or walk on the stone structure. People also launch kayaks from the beach there, since the parking lot is about 50 meters from the water. I don't give it the full 5 stars , because of the aforementioned reoccurring offensive graffiti...

I'm surprised 😯 I didn't know about this place as a kid! I was told about this fort by the woman overseeing the New Castle Historical Museum. WOW 😳! The place is huge! There is a small museum near the entrance! Access to two ⛱️ beaches! A large seawall to walk on! Great 👍 views! You can walk into the fort in a few places, though some of the access is actually unauthorized. Large area for 🧺 picnics and tables available. Porta potties available. Dumpster for trash 🗑️. Parking 🅿️ area was a decent size. When I walked the seawall, I saw different species of aquatic fowl feeding. Fish 🐟 were literally jumping out of the water! I saw a few of the fisherman catching a few of them. I didn't recognize the species of fish 🐟. I saw the Thomas Leighton travel by. The park 🏞️ official was very friendly and interesting to talk to. My only criticism, the vandalism! Spray paint inside and out! The inside has trash and old furniture and mattresses inside. I think 🤔 the homeless and the vandals may have been using it as their own home or clubhouse. The bars and fencing that are to keep people out has been damaged in places. I'm bringing my kids back 🔙 here to visit, in spite of the damage. I recommend a visit because there is still so much to see 🙈. The museum is open only on the...

Girlfriend and I decided to take a history toyr of the area as we are both well versed in both ancient and American history. We decided to drive up the coast of NH. Beating the Boston traffic, we left at 5:45 am, took RT 1-A from the state line looking to map out early Coloniel settlements. Long story short, we are at fort Stark, we walked the ground and see the familiar sites of batteries protecting this country and what we stand for. Beth, our museum guide filled us in on so much more knowledge then I could imagine. Beth says her husband knows 10 times history than she . Is it really possible????? THANK YOU BETH. Side note to all those wanna be vandals, taggers or you think graffiti is fun....... YOU ARE REALLY JUST DISRESPECTFUL of the men who kept your family safe, your lineage to make a home here. THESE MEN KEPT YOU ALIVE. You graffiti artists, show respect. If it was not for this fort and others around we would no longer have free speech, this woul not be America's finest.. Talk to Beth and her husband and be part of a presentation and preservation that you can be part of with you artist work. Don't desecrate,...