SUMMARY: Fort Gorges is a historical Civil War-era fort that can only be accessed by boat. Visitors can explore the fort at their risk. The fort was built to look like Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The original structure remains in place, though it does have some areas that are deteriorating or are overgrown. It's a great spot to explore, take in water views, and learn a little bit about Maine’s military history.
MORE INFORMATION: History: Fort Gorges was built in the 1860s and named for Sir Ferdinando Gorges. The fort was built to provide a military presence on the water against any naval enemies. Unfortunately, once the fort was completed, it was already considered outdated in terms of military weapons. During the Civil War, there was a live-in caretaker and the spot was used as a lookout.
The fort was used for storage during World War I and II.
In 1960, the city of Portland purchased the fort. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
