Fort Point’s Past and Castine, Fort Point Light Station was built as the first r iv er light in Maine. In 1857, the present Fort Point State Park A Sustained Native American Presence tower and keeper’s house replaced the original Beginning approximately 500 to 1,000 B.C., the granite structures. The light station’s fixed white Penobscot River valley was occupied by Native light, a fourth-order Fresn el lens with a 250-watt Americans (ancestors of the historic Etchemins halogen bulb, is 88 feet above sea level and visi- and modern-day Penobscots) whose lifestyles de- ble for more than 10 miles. The fog signal, a 1200 pended upon climate change, geography, and the pound, cast iron bell suspended on a pyramidal seasonal availability of food. Some of these tower built in 1890, is still v isible today. groups may have specialized in the resources of the coast, occupying various sites either year- For more than 120 years, civ ilian keepe rs, em- round or repeatedly throughout the year, while oth- ployed by the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, ers moved seasonally from interior lands to the tended this light station before the Coast Guard coast. assumed operational duties in 1957. Today, with its automated light and fog signal, the light station Pivotal English Outpos t - Fort Pownall is operated by Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands France and England had been in conflict for more as an historic site. than one hundred years over possession of North American lands when, in 1758, Massachusetts Luxury Res or t - The Fort Point Hotel Governor Thomas Pownall wrote that a fort at the Fort Point began to draw tourists in 1872 with the Penobscot Riv er was of utmost importance for the construction of the Fort Point Hotel. The hotel English. Such a fort would, wrote Pownall, allow could accommodate up to 200 guests, most of the English to possess “fine country” and “the whom were wealthy elite from Boston and New finest bay in North America,” as well as keep the York City who arrived by steamboat. With its posh French and their Indian allies well inland. clientele and state-of-the-art ame nities such as running water, gas lights, stables, bowling alley, In May 1759, Gov. Pownall brought 400 men here and two dance pavilions, the Fort Point Hotel was to build Fort Pownall, a fort with an exceptional built in hopes that the Fort Point area would grow design for its time and place. The fort’s large cen- to riv al Bar Harbor. Unfortunately, the hotel did not tral blockhouse had four bastions and was sur- succeed, and after four owners and as many Fort Point State Park rounded by a palisade, ditch, and large earthen names, burned in May of 1898 just before its sea- 207 Lighthouse Rd. bank, all shaped like a four-point star. Soon after sonal opening. Stockton Springs, Maine 04981 Fort Pownall was built, Quebec fell to the English, thus ending France’s foothold in North America. Bangor N 9 Though Fort Pownall did not fulfill its military pur- poses, its presence encouraged later English set- 95 395 tlement of the Penobscot region and the fort Fort Point State Park is open from 9:00am to sunset, 1A Memorial Day through Labor Day. A fee is charged. If served as a center for trade. Graham 1A Penobscot Lake you would like to ask questions, make comments, or River Swan Lake make reservations for guided tours, please contact us Tensions ran high here on the eve of the American State Park 3 Fort Knox 1 at the park office: Revolution. With the approval of the Loyalist then Bucksport State Ellsworth Historic Site 3 in charge of Fort Pownall, British sailors came Stockton Springs Telephone: 207-941-4014 ashore one night in March 1775 and secretly re- Moose Point1 Fort Point 15 State Park State Park moved the fort’s guns to keep them out of rebel Cape 3 Blue Hill Belfast Jellison hands. In return, American rebels burned the Castine Holbrook blockhouse and filled in the moat to prevent the Island Sanctuary British occupation of the fort. 1 Islesboro To Rockland 15 Mount Desert DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION Island Fort Point Light - An Early River Beacon Deer Isle Camden Hills Bureau of Parks and Lands State Park Established in 1836 to aid the growing number of Penobscot Camden Bay ships nav igating the Penobscot between Bangor Stonington About the Park Keeping Safe Please use caution around the N Located about three miles off U.S. Route 1 in pier and the sandbar, where Stockton Springs, Fort Point State Park occupies rough seas and very strong tidal a long peninsula with panoramic v iews of the and river currents can be Penobscot Riv er and Penobscot Bay. On its 120 acres, the park features more than a mile of dangerous. For your protection, rocky shore, a tidal sandbar and a diverse habi- please do not leave food tat for a variety of plants and animals. Opened in unattended or valuables in your 1974, the park also includes Fort Pownall State Historic Site and the Fort Point Light Station. With vehicle. Please bring drinking waterfront picnic sites and charcoal grills, a pier water, as there is no running and floats for fishing and boating, and access to water in the park. a scenic bicycling loop, Fort Point State Park is a popular destination. In the Area Among the many places to visit in Enjoying Fort Point the area are other state parks and Just a short walk from the parking lot, visitors historic sites, including Fort Knox can relax at riverside picnic sites and fuel up for State Historic Site, Holbrook Island hiking, sightseeing, bicycling, fishing or paddling. Sanctuary, and Camden Hills, Gentle trails lead hikers through field and forest Moose Point, and Swan Lake to rocky shores and historic sites. Interpretive State Parks. signs describe Fort Point’s history as a military, maritime, and tourist center. Using the roads, Also, within an hour’s drive of bicyclists leav e the parking lot to ride to the light- Fort Point, visitors will find house or to begin the seven-mile loop around accommodations, restaurants, Cape Jellison. Winter visitors go cross-country skiing on the park’s hiking trails and closed art galleries, a museum, a roads. theater, a farmer’s market, bicycle and kayak rentals, Wildlife watchers look for deer, foxes, snowshoe and craft, antique, and hares, porcupines, owls, and even moose on gift shops. land, as well as wading birds, sea ducks, shore birds, and loons at the shore. Extending 200 feet Rules into the river, the pier provides an excellent van- tage point for spotting a seal or porpoise in the Intoxicating beverages are strictly prohibited. For more information about local businesses and water or an osprey or bald eagle overhead. The Fires are allowed only in the charcoal grills and points of interest, please contact: pier and tidal sandbar are popular with anglers must be attended at all times. Fires are pro- fishing for salmon, mackerel and striped bass. Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce With its seasonal f loats, the pier allows v isitors to hibited on the beaches. P. O. Box 58 launch a kayak or canoe for a paddling excursion Pets must be on four-foot leashes at all times Belfast, ME 04915 or to dock when arriving by powerboat, sailboat in the park. or windjammer. Telephone: (207) 338-5900 Picnicking is on a carry-in, carry-out basis; (207) 338-3808 visitors must carry out all their refuse. Camping is prohibited in this day-use park. E-mail: [email protected] A complete list of park rules is posted at various locations througout the park. If you www.belfastmaine.org have questions or concerns, please contact us..