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If your future travel plans include a trip to Augusta, Maine, or southern Maine, and you have an interest in military history, continue to read this Blog.
Fort Weston was a British Colonial outpost built in 1754 during the French and Indian War. It is the oldest surviving wooden fort in America still standing. Fort Weston was built as a fortified trading post.
The fort was a log palisade with blockhouses which protected a store and warehouse. It was never directly attacked. From a high elevation a large rectangular enclosure commanded the river for more than a mile. Blockhouses 24 feet square and watch-boxes 12 feet square guarded opposite corners, and within stood a two-story main house 100 by 32 feet (30.5 m × 9.8 m)
In 1775, Benedict Arnold’s expedition to Quebec stopped at Fort Western long enough to repair bateaux. Arnold, Daniel Morgan, Roger Enos, and Aaron Burr stayed as guests in the garrison while their force camped outside. Fort Western played a crucial role for Arnold’s troops, allowing them to gather supplies, rest, and repair their bateaux, the flat bottom boats used on the Kennebec River. The supplies they gathered did not last long, and after two weeks, they were on half rations. Fort Western was the starting point for the march through the wilderness to Quebec.
After the war ended, James Howard, its last commander, purchased the fort and operated the trading post.
Travel Tips
For operating hours, event schedules, and admission rates, please refer here.
If you are staying in the greater Portland area, the driving distance is approximately fifty-three miles. If you would like to save money on a trip to Portland, then check out our Portland Budget Travel Guide.
You can find information for Augusta travel here.