Fort Gorges, Portland

Fort Gorges, perched on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay just off Portland, is a striking granite fortress built between 1858 and 1865. Named after early colonial proprietor Sir Ferdinando Gorges, this D-shaped stronghold was modeled after Fort Sumter in Charleston and designed under the Third System coastal defense initiative. Comprising two-or at times three-level casemates with 56 gun emplacements, the fort was outfitted with heavy Rodman and Parrott artillery to protect Portland Harbor from potential naval threats during the Civil War.

Despite its strategic intent, Fort Gorges was obsolete by the time it was completed. New technologies such as rifled guns, iron-clad vessels, and high-explosive shells outpaced its design. The fort never saw combat nor hosted armies, shifting instead to munition storage during World Wars I and II. After being declared surplus property in 1960, it was transferred to Portland’s ownership and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Today, Fort Gorges is open as a rustic island park accessible only by boat-whether your own kayak, charter, or water taxi. Be sure to check tide schedules and pack a flashlight for exploring its dark powder magazines and interiors. The overgrown upper levels and deteriorating masonry make for a dramatic, slightly eerie experience-a hike through history wrapped in the rugged coastal landscape.

Preservation is a local priority, with Friends of Fort Gorges and city officials working to restore the site and improve safety. Plans include installing railings, repairing masonry, and adding a dock to ensure its future as both an educational and recreational space. When visiting, you’re not just exploring an abandoned fort-you’re supporting a living piece of American coastal defense history.