What is fort popham?

Fort Popham is a historic military fort located at the mouth of the Kennebec River in Phippsburg, Maine. It was built in 1861 as part of the United States Civil War defenses and was named after George Popham, the leader of the Popham Colony which was established in the area in 1607.

The fort is a well-preserved example of a Third System coastal defense fortification, featuring granite walls, casemates, and gun emplacements. It was built to defend the Kennebec River and nearby shipyards from Confederate naval threats.

Although Fort Popham saw little action during the Civil War, it was used for training exercises and as a point of defense for the area. It was also briefly used during World War I and World War II.

Today, Fort Popham is a popular tourist attraction and is managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Visitors can explore the fort's grounds, including the gun emplacements, powder magazine, and barracks. The fort offers stunning views of the Kennebec River and nearby Fort Baldwin.