In 1779, the British Navy seized the Castine peninsula, gateway to the Penobscot Valley and Bangor, Maine, the largest lumber exporting port in the world. The ensuing naval battle was the worst defeat in American history prior to Pearl Harbor, resulting in the loss of thirty-seven vessels. To prevent another such threat to the industry and people of the area, the U.S. government proposed building a huge granite fortress at the narrows on the Penobscot River, the channel through which all enemy ships traveling upriver would have to pass.

Old bridge and new bridge, with the observatory in its tip, overlook Fort Knox. Photo courtesy of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

Although no funds were appropriated for Fort Knox until 1825, there was still great tension between the U.S. and Great Britain, thus design, engineering, and building of the fort proceeded. Beginning in 1844, ganite blocks were quarried on Mt. Waldo, located about five miles upriver from the fort, transported down the mountain, and then carried by scow to Fort Knox’s wharf. It took more than two decades and in excess of a million dollars to bring the structure to a point where it could be inhabited by troops. Although the structure was never completed, troops did occupy the fort briefly during the Civil War and the Spanish American War, but no enemy ships ever appeared on the Penobscot or threatened its towns during these wars.

Super fast elevator whisks visitors to the top of the Penobscot River Bridge support for a spectacular view of Fort Knox and the surrounding countryside

Today a Maine State Park, Fort Knox is open to the public. From its riverfront batteries to its cavernous dark recesses, the structure offers a fascinating self-guided tour. On the roof, visitors can see the cannon, powder magazines, and casemates employed during battle. And though the roof provides a fairly good view over the parade grounds in the center of the pentagonal fort, visitors now have an even better view of the fort from atop the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, also located within the park.

Built into the pinnacle of one of two upright towers that support the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, this is the tallest public bridge-observatory in the world. A one minute ride on the fastest elevator in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont carries passengers up 420 feet, where the elevator doors open on a spectacular vista over the fort and river to the town of Prospect and mountains beyond. Stairs lead up another two levels to the uppermost level, a glass encased observatory with 360 degrees views, complete with panels identifying nearby mountains, lakes and towns.

Special events at Fort Knox include firing of the battery cannons, a paranormal/psychic fair, granite cutting demonstrations, Civil War reenactments, moon viewings, archeological field schools, a pirate festival, Halloween “Fright at the Fort,” and a plethora of musical performances scheduled throughout the season.

View of Fort Knox and the Penobscot Valley from the observatory

The interior of Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory are open each day from May 1 through October 31, from 9 a.m. to sunset, however the park grounds are open year-round. Admission ($5 for adults, $3 for children 5-11, and free for children under five) includes entry into both the fort and the observatory. The park is located at the junction of U.S. Rte. 1 and Rte. 174, on the south side of the Penobscot Narrows bridge, immediately adjacent to the town of Bucksport.

Photos not otherwise credited courtesy of Barbara Weibel

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels