March 5, 2022 - Not much action at Fort Popham during the Civil War ( 1861 to 1865).

If you want some action, follow Maine’s Joshua Chamberlain south to Pennsylvania at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863!

Alas, money was spent on the construction of Fort Popham in 1862, but the war ended before this fort was completed. Now the remains “guard” the mouth of the Kennebec River, offering feigned protection of the shipyards upstream ( Bath Iron Works).

I’d rate this a 4.3 . . . it’s a scenic picnic & small beach area in the summer. Limited parking, sometimes the fort gate is locked, kids like to play hide & seek inside ( when gate is unlocked). Not much to see, no visitor’s center.

You follow Rt. 209 to the END ! You’ll drive past Popham State Park & Beach (excellent, see my review) , and then you see a sign for Fort Baldwin (see my review), as the road turns to the right, into a small village with a church, library, and Spinny’s restaurant ( I believe is closed). . . finally arriving at a cul-de-sac with Fort Popham & *Old Wharf ( with lobster traps).

*Captain Ethan would operate a Seguin Island Lighthouse ferry during summer prior to Covid ! Great way to see the lighthouse ( see my review)!

Fun Facts

1607 George Popham starts Popham Colony

1609 Popham Colony can’t make it . . .

1659 John Parker settles Phippsburg area

Maine has 25 Forts around the state

Maine has over 65 Lighthouses

Maine has over 5,000 miles of shoreline

1969 Fort Popham added to Natl. Register