Fort Point State Park

This Is One Of The Most Historic Of The State Parks In Maine

Fort Point State Park is 120 acres of extremely scenic land located on Fort Point which is a small peninsula that juts out westward from Cape Jellison into Penobscot Bay on the coast of Maine.

The place gets its name from Fort Pownall which was built there in 1759. It was the brainchild of the then Governor of Maine, Thomas Pownall, who naturally named the fort after himself!

It was built as a base from which the European settlers could fight off the remaining Native Americans living in the area.

However, it was never attacked so its defences didn`t have to prove their worth. The remains of the fortifications at Fort Point Park now display interpretive signs explaining the history of the site. They also indicate the original burial spot of General Samuel Waldo.

The Remains Of Fort Pownall

Waldo was a wealthy merchant, land speculator and soldier. He died aged 63 while on a military expedition with Governor Pownall and was buried at Fort Point. The Mine towns of Waldo and Waldo boro, and the county of Waldo are all named after him.

Within the park is a lovely little piece of history. This is the Fort Point Light Station which was included in the National Register of Historic Places on the 23rd of March 1988. It was originally built in 1836 and is still in use today.

The first signal which warned mariners of fog was a bell. It can still be seen hung in an attractive pyramid shaped wooden tower which was erected in 1890. Although the bell remains a fog horn is now used to warn of any dangers.

There is no camping at Fort Point, it is for day use visitors only, but it really is a special place. Many visitors arrive by boat, tie up at the floats next to the 200 foot long pier and then enjoy one of the many shoreside picnic areas or spend a few leisurely hours fishing off the pier. You will hopefully catch bluegill, striped bass or some mackerel!

Other people enjoy coming to hike along the trails through the forests and along the rigged shore. There is also a seven mile scenic loop road that circles round Cape Jellison and this is very popular with cyclists.

The Light Station At Fort Point State Park

Here is the address and contact details for the park -

Fort Point State Park
106 Hogan Road
Bangor
Maine 04401

Phone - (207) 941-4014

Here is a county map of Maine with the position of Fort Point S.P. marked with a star.

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