Fort McClary: October 13th, 2008

For my sixth site visit, Ashley and I visited Fort McClary in Kittery Maine. We were coming back from staying the weekend at Newport, RI and we decided to stop by the fort. It took us a while to get there, because we sort of got lost. We had to stop by the visitors information station on the highway so that the worker could give us a map and directions. Once she showed us how to get there, I realized I missed the Fort by not turning right onto a road. Once we left the visitors station, we easily got to the fort in about ten minutes.

Once you enter the fort, there was a large sign that says Fort McClary and there was a neat parking area as well. We started out by walking along the side of the fort up to the waterfront. There was an awesome view of the ocean and in the bay there was tons of docked sailboats. You are able to walk into the ground in a somewhat cellar. It was dark down there but slightly visible because there were windows built into the side of the cliff walls. You can see this in the picture of me in which it looks like I'm about to get hit by a train.

After this, Ashley and I climbed our way up to the actual fort. There were a few people inside the fort but in all there wasn't to many people there. In front of the fort, there were a few kids flying kites. This old lady, seeing that we were taking pictures, came up to us and said she would take a picture of us. We went into the fort and looked around. There wasn't to much to see besides the good view and the neat billboards along the walls.
We walked outside and viewed all the tiny buildings to the side of the fort. We walked down into what I think is the cells or barracks and looked around. Other than looking around and taking in all the sights, there wasn't much to do on that breezy mild day. We ended up only being there for about thirty minutes. Once we got enough of the fort, we went pee and left.

I thought the fort was really neat, especially learning about Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. I wouldn't mind bringing my kids there in the future because I think this place is a must see attraction. I had fun visiting the fort.

Historical Significance

The fort was built in 1808 after the New Hampshire native Major Andrew McClary who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was most notably used as a defensive fortification during the War of 1812 and during the American Civil War. Vice President Hannibal Hamlin stayed most of the time at the fort during the Civil War. If you go into the fort, you see his picture plastered everywhere.

In the 1910s, the fort went beyond repair and was decommissioned. Many of the forts buildings fell down because of the lack of repair. In World War II, many locals used some of the supports and stone from the fort to use on local fortifications. Once Maine was able to buy the fort from the federal government, an undertaking to preserve the fort went under way. In 1969, the fort was put on the National Register of Historic Places.
I believe the biggest lesson one can take from this is that the fort stands there. Yes that is what I mean , the fort stands there. Not to many forts left in Maine are still standing. Maine is taking upon itself a great task to preserve these great fortifications. If it isn't Maine, it is the local townspeople whom try to preserve their heritage and historical sites. Fort McClary stands on the shore of Kittery as a reminder that the Maine people were ready for any enemy attack and to protect its citizens. Yet again, this is a Mainer attempt in preservation of heritage.

Sources: Wikipedia