Fort Popham is located at the mouth of the Kennebec River in
Phippsburg, Maine. The fort was named after George Popham - the leader
of the Popham Colony that was established nearby. It is possible that
some type of wooden fort existed here during the Revolutionary War and the
War of 1812 - however the evidence is scant at this time.
Construction. In 1861, construction started in response to the
Confederate Navy building ironclad warships. The fort was built in a
semi-circular design from granite blocks quarried on nearby Fox Island and
Dix Island. The fort had 36 cannon arrayed along two floors of
casements. Construction of the fort was halted in 1869 prior to its
completion.
Civil War. This fort saw no action during
the Civil War. It was built to protect the Bath, Maine shipyards,
approaches to the Kennebec River, and the city of Augusta (the state
capital).
Spanish American War. The fort saw
additional modifications and was garrisoned in during the Spanish American
War.
World War I. The for was garrisoned during
World War I. Fort Baldwin, located on the headland above Fort Popham
was begun in 1905 which made Fort Baldwin obsolete.
Directions and Maps to Fort Popham.
10 Perkins Farm Land, Phippsburg, Maine 04562
Phone number during Park Season: (207) 389-1335
The fort is located about 15 miles from Bath on Maine
Route 209. It is just two miles away from Popham Beach State Park.