Fort Edgecomb State Historical Site
Fort Edgecomb State Historical Site
Fort Edgecomb State Historical Site
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Fort Edgecomb State Historical Site and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
21 within 3 miles
Attractions
30 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
63 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
23
Average
14
Poor
0
Terrible
0
worktotravel14
Trenton, NJ3,909 contributions
Sept 2020
This is quite the hidden gem, a fort designed to stand and protect on the coast of Maine that is tucked away in Edgecomb. Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic by the water. The inside of the Fort was closed, due to COVID-19, but plenty to see between the very cool honeycomb-esque fort, all the history outside, including the bunkers. There are some spectacular views and it is peaceful and relaxation - ironic for a place that is associated with war and protection.
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,583 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
We arrived at Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site about 10:30 AM. We put our non-resident fees in the collection box.
At the crest of the hill, we saw that there was some kind of school or church outing for youngsters. They were about 25 feet below us. They were fairly quiet. We got to tour the fort without disruption.
The site atop a hill provided a great strategic vantage point for a fort and great scenic views for visitors today.
We enjoyed reading about the fort’s history on the interpretative info boards. We learned:
Nearby Wiscasset was a very busy international shipping trade port until the Embargo Act in 1807. Concerned about the English Navy invading American ports, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn authorized the fort. It was built on Davis Island in the Sheepscot River from1808 to 1809 to defend Wiscasset. During the War of 1812, the English ship-of-the-line Bulwark and a flotilla patrolled the New England coast in 1814. In response, the earthwork fortification Fort McDonough was built on the other side of the river at Clough Point on Westport Island. In June 1814, English ships came up the river, but turned back when they heard alarm guns and pealing bells alerting the local militia. The English did attack a small militia at Fowles Point on Westport Island and robbed a few houses downriver.
Today, just the Blockhouse and Semi-Circular Earthwork remain. Only approximate locations are known for the Storehouse, East Barracks, and West Barracks. The Brick Kitchen, was razed.
Today, there are numerous picnic tables down near the river and east of the Earthwork.
The blockhouse was pretty good condition. Hundreds of people had defaced the blockhouse by carving their names into the boards. Some were likely by local militia, but many were from just plain old vandalism. The gun loops were open so one could see what a soldier at the fort would see when taking aim with a rifle.
This attraction barely made a 4.0 rating with us.
We recommend a visit to the fort for the history, the commanding view of the river and the picnic area.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
At the crest of the hill, we saw that there was some kind of school or church outing for youngsters. They were about 25 feet below us. They were fairly quiet. We got to tour the fort without disruption.
The site atop a hill provided a great strategic vantage point for a fort and great scenic views for visitors today.
We enjoyed reading about the fort’s history on the interpretative info boards. We learned:
Nearby Wiscasset was a very busy international shipping trade port until the Embargo Act in 1807. Concerned about the English Navy invading American ports, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn authorized the fort. It was built on Davis Island in the Sheepscot River from1808 to 1809 to defend Wiscasset. During the War of 1812, the English ship-of-the-line Bulwark and a flotilla patrolled the New England coast in 1814. In response, the earthwork fortification Fort McDonough was built on the other side of the river at Clough Point on Westport Island. In June 1814, English ships came up the river, but turned back when they heard alarm guns and pealing bells alerting the local militia. The English did attack a small militia at Fowles Point on Westport Island and robbed a few houses downriver.
Today, just the Blockhouse and Semi-Circular Earthwork remain. Only approximate locations are known for the Storehouse, East Barracks, and West Barracks. The Brick Kitchen, was razed.
Today, there are numerous picnic tables down near the river and east of the Earthwork.
The blockhouse was pretty good condition. Hundreds of people had defaced the blockhouse by carving their names into the boards. Some were likely by local militia, but many were from just plain old vandalism. The gun loops were open so one could see what a soldier at the fort would see when taking aim with a rifle.
This attraction barely made a 4.0 rating with us.
We recommend a visit to the fort for the history, the commanding view of the river and the picnic area.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written 7 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,517 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Oldest "block fort" in U.S. On Fort Road with the main sign on US27 to indicate where to turn.
The fort is open and there is an honor system for the use fee. There is no one at the fort to answer questions or give tours.
If you are driving to Boothbay, or otherwise in the area, it is worth a half hour to check this out.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
The fort is open and there is an honor system for the use fee. There is no one at the fort to answer questions or give tours.
If you are driving to Boothbay, or otherwise in the area, it is worth a half hour to check this out.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written 20 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deerfieldmomNJ
Wayne, NJ9 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We went after hours when the park is still open but the fort is closed. The signs gave enough information of the how and why's. The open grassy area allowed my tweens to run off some steam. Follow the grave path down to the water's edge. We sat here for about and hour enjoying the view, the passing boats and the sunset.
Written 20 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johumi
Quechee, VT11 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We happened upon this very unique site when we decided to explore the finger.
Built before the war of 1812. The descriptive signs telling the history of the fort were well done and informative.
Built before the war of 1812. The descriptive signs telling the history of the fort were well done and informative.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaineGuy777
Bangor, ME1,619 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
This is a small octagonal fort, which was built in 1808-1809. It is now closed all the time, but the views of the Sheepscot River are worth a visit! I even enjoyed a visit in winter, and viewed a nice sunset behind the fort.
Written 6 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie Smith
Kissimmee, FL110 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We were out taking my Mother-n-law for a ride (she's 97 yrs. old) and enjoys the different areas of Maine. My spouse and I had visited Edgecomb Pottery several years ago, which is on the way to Fort Edgecomb. It was closed when we stopped there and decided to have a picnic. You could hear the Lobstermen checking their traps, as you walk to the waters edge. Beware though it is very rocky and there is some climbing involved if anyone has a disability. We had a very nice day and looking forward to coming back!
Written 14 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingoangel
Edgecomb, ME6 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
It is on a donation basis. The fort was really interesting. They had many signs letting you know about it's history. Plus they have a nice picnic area. The view is just amazing. If you want to soak up some history, and peacefulness. This is one spot you want to check out like we did.
Written 28 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terese S
Maine8 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
The company that runs it is of questionable character. People have given there $ for events to them and they have been very disapointed in this companys service. There was a great restaurant on the corner before and these people ruined the area.
Written 8 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westie2
Kensington, CT11,009 contributions
Sept 2022
We stopped in and wished we had brought a lunch because there were picnic tables scattered throughout the property with many offering views of the river. Maybe next time.
Written 29 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing