Fort McClary
Encyclopedia
Fort McClary is a former defensive fortification of the United States
military located along the southern coast of Maine
at Kittery Point
, the seaside district of Kittery
. Used primarily throughout the 19th century, it was built to protect approaches to the nearby Piscataqua River
. The property and its surviving structures, including a blockhouse
dating from 1844, are now owned and operated by the State of Maine as Fort McClary State Historic Site.
voted to erect a permanent breastwork of six guns for the defense of the Piscataqua River. The fort itself was officially established in 1808 and named for New Hampshire
native Major Andrew McClary, an American officer killed the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill
. The fort was used throughout the 19th century, most notably during the War of 1812
, as well as during the American Civil War
, during which time Vice President of the United States
Hannibal Hamlin
enlisted in the Maine Coast Guards and served as a cook in the fort. It saw little action during these conflicts.
By the 1910s, most of the fort had fallen into disrepair and it was officially decommissioned in 1918. The State of Maine acquired most the property from the federal government in 1924, after which time it was managed as a park. Several of the dilapidated structures were demolished in the following decades. During World War II
, surviving parts of the fort were used by civilian defense forces. In 1969, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The surviving blockhouse and other structures were renovated in 1987. The 1844 blockhouse serves as a museum.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military located along the southern coast of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
at Kittery Point
Kittery Point, Maine
Kittery Point is a census-designated place in the town of Kittery, York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,135 at the 2000 census. Located beside the Atlantic, it is home to Fort McClary State Historic Site and, on Gerrish Island, Fort Foster Park...
, the seaside district of Kittery
Kittery, Maine
Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,543 at the 2000 census. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals...
. Used primarily throughout the 19th century, it was built to protect approaches to the nearby Piscataqua River
Piscataqua River
The Piscataqua River, in the northeastern United States, is a long tidal estuary formed by the confluence of the Salmon Falls and Cocheco rivers...
. The property and its surviving structures, including a blockhouse
Blockhouse
In military science, a blockhouse is a small, isolated fort in the form of a single building. It serves as a defensive strong point against any enemy that does not possess siege equipment or, in modern times, artillery...
dating from 1844, are now owned and operated by the State of Maine as Fort McClary State Historic Site.
History
Coastal defenses on the site date to the late 17th century, when Sir William Pepperell, a local wealthy landowner, acquired the property and erected crude defense works. In 1715 the Massachusetts Bay ColonyMassachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
voted to erect a permanent breastwork of six guns for the defense of the Piscataqua River. The fort itself was officially established in 1808 and named for New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
native Major Andrew McClary, an American officer killed the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
. The fort was used throughout the 19th century, most notably during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, as well as during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, during which time Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Hannibal Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin was the 15th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War...
enlisted in the Maine Coast Guards and served as a cook in the fort. It saw little action during these conflicts.
By the 1910s, most of the fort had fallen into disrepair and it was officially decommissioned in 1918. The State of Maine acquired most the property from the federal government in 1924, after which time it was managed as a park. Several of the dilapidated structures were demolished in the following decades. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, surviving parts of the fort were used by civilian defense forces. In 1969, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
The surviving blockhouse and other structures were renovated in 1987. The 1844 blockhouse serves as a museum.
External links
- Fort McClary from American Forts Network
- Maine Bureau of Parks and Land: Fort McClary State Historic Site
- Friends of Fort McClary