The Original Fort Knox
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| View of the Penobscott Narrow Bridge |
I don’t think that I have come close to seeing all of Maine
with heaps of regions. There are so much fun things to do. I decided to hop on
a field trip this afternoon with my Young Digital Photographers from Maine
Media. We ended up at Fort Knox, located on the Penobscot Narrows up
on US Route 1. I haven’t been up that far north on Route 1 for a long time. The
last time that I was up that way was when I went with my family to Castine for
a dedication ceremony for the oil simulator that is named in my grandfather’s
memory at Maine Maritime Academy. Not much has changed in
this neck of the woods. I feel that this part of Maine is still blessed with
the 1950’s charm with the numerous motels along the way, charming antique
shops, small coast towns, state parks & tourist traps that have been there
for ages.
Fort Knox was built in the mid 1800’s as a way for the
Americans to protect Maine from Great Britain who brought their ships to
the Penobscot Narrows during the American Revolutionary & War of
1812. America did win the wars
leaving the Crown’s claim to the land not to last too long in the area. The
fort was used during the Civil War & the Spanish American War. The fort was named after Major General
Henry Knox, who was America’s first Secretary of War & Commander of
Artillery during the American Revolution. General Knox did live in Thomaston
during the final years of his life. The other Fort Knox is located in Kentucky
& it’s also named after General Knox. The granite that was used to build
the fort came from neighboring Mt Waldo.
Close to one million dollars was spent to build Fort Knox back in the
late 1800’s.
I will admit that I never had visited the fort until this
afternoon. I have probably driven past it the last time I was that far north on
Route 1, but never noticed it nor did I ever had the urge to go when I went to
the University of Maine in Orono, either. I found the place to be a very cool
spot to explore with heaps of nooks ‘n crannies inside with beautiful views of
the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. Over all I had a fab time exploring this place. I’m
sure there’s more to see threw the lens & in general, but there’s always room
for more during the next visits.
