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If you have an interest in Military History and your future travel plans include a trip to Portland, Maine or Charleston, South Carolina, keep reading this Blog.
Fort Gorges
Fort Preble
Fort Sumter
What two things do Fort Gorges in Portland, Maine and Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina have in common? First, Fort Gorges was modeled after Fort Sumter. Second, and this is a slight stretch, Major Tom Anderson commanded Fort Preble, which is across the Casco Bay and within eyesight of Fort Gorges, from 1848–1849 and from 1851–1853. The same Major Anderson who commanded Fort Sumter at the start of the Civil War. Major Anderson had to surrender Fort Sumter to the Confederate Army.
After the war ended, Major Anderson did have the satisfaction of raising the Union flag back up. Fort Sumter, however, was severely damaged during the war. Eventually, it was turned over to the National Park service for management. Today, you can take a ferry ride to visit the grounds of Fort Sumter.
Fort Gorges, due to funding delays in construction, was obsolete by the time it opened. No battles were fought there. No troops were stationed there. It was used during WWII to store anti-Submarine mines. It was acquired by the city of Portland in 1960 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is now open to the public as a park and is accessible only by private boat or hired taxi. You can also see it on this sunset lighthouse cruise tour from Casco Bay.
Fort Preble was deactivated in 1950 and is now on the campus of Southern Maine Community College. Some of the original buildings are still there.
Further Reading
This article from Portland Monthly was helpful in writing this blog entry.
