Fort McClary – Kittery, ME
The site of the fort has been occupied since 1689 as an important military defensive position. The area at one time was called “Battery Pasture” and was acquired by William Pepperrell, a merchant and landowner. The first structures were probably no more than simple earthworks and a small block house known as Pepperrell’s Garrison or Fort Pepperrell.
Photo Album of our visit to Fort McClary in Kittery, Maine.
The Colony of Massachusetts Bay voted in 1715 to erect a permanent breastwork of six guns for defense of the river although the fort may not have been built until around 1720. The position of a naval officer was also established for collecting a duty from ships coming into the harbor. This fort was named Fort William
In 1775 local citizens confiscated the property and the fort from the Pepperrell family as they were still loyal to the British Crown. The fort was manned by the New Hampshire militia until 1779, then abandoned.
In 1808 the “Second System” was built and was named Fort McClary after Major Andrew McClary, a New Hampshire native. The Major was the highest ranking officer killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. The block house that stands today was built in 1844 and was the last to be built in Maine.
The Civil war period saw a fifty man company called the Kittery Artillery commanded by Dr. Mark Wentworth, Captain. The Kittery Company was very soon replaced by Battery B 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery in 1863. If the fort had been completed it would have resembled Fort Knox, all work was ended in 1868. Fort Knox is located in Bucksport Maine.
At one time there were barracks, Officers Quarters, and a cookhouse with mess hall, a powder magazine and two rifleman’s houses. A shot furnace stood on the Lower Battery at one time as well. A guard shack and hospital stood just north of the fort.
Cape Neddick “Nubble” Lighthouse – York, Maine
The “Nubble” is a small, rocky island a short distance off the eastern point of Cape Neddick, about two miles north of the entrance to the York River and York Harbor. In 1602, explorer Bartholomew Gosnold met with local Indians on the island and dubbed it “Savage Rock.”
Photo Album of our visit to the Cape Neddick “Nubble” Lighthouse.
The placement of a lighthouse on the Nubble had been recommended by many local mariners since 1807. An 1837 proposal was rejected on the grounds that there were already enough lights in the vicinity. Even after the wreck of the bark Isidore in 1842, north of the Nubble near Bald Head Cliff, it still took nearly four more decades before the lighthouse was established. The Isidore, according to legend, still reappears as a ghost ship with a phantom crew.
Congress appropriated $15,000 for the building of a lighthouse on the Nubble in 1876. The 41-foot cast-iron tower, lined with brick, was first illuminated on July 1, 1879.
Historic Portsmouth New Hampshire
How many times have you said or heard “Gee Willikers”!? Wonder if this is where it came from … Had a wonderful time exploring the historic downtown area of Portsmouth NH that goes back to 1623. As we walked the streets you could almost hear the horse and buggy clanging down the narrow roads.
Check out the photo album of Historic Portsmouth, NH.
Hampton Beach, NH
The more things change the more they stay the same! The last time Karen and I were here was in 1976 and I was here last in 1988. We’re parked in the driveway of the old house on Winnacunnet Road in Hampton, NH. This house was originally built in the 1690s but was rebuilt in 1812 after the house was struck by lightning. Turns out a maid had just said that if she were to die let it be by lightning … she got down on her knees for her evening prayers when the house was struck by lightning near her room and she was struck dead! … Be careful what you ask for.
As with many towns located on the coast you need to be aware of the marine layer or as some call it, fog bank. As you view the photo album of Hampton Beach you’ll note that it starts out sunny but within an hour the fog bank rolled in and everything changed. It’s one of the great drawing cards of the area that drives hundreds of thousands of people to the coast each year.
The Candy Corner is where Bea’s Restaurant used to be. I was a short order cook at Bea’s for the summers of 1966 – 1968. Like I said, things change. But the Playland Arcade where I played pinball during my breaks is still there. Spent a lot of dimes at that place!
Finally you’ll note our parking spot in the driveway of the old house … It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s been 45 years since I graduated from Winnacunnet High School and 43 since I left Hampton, NH.
Promised Land State Park – Poconos, PA
Just spent 3 nights at the Promised Land State Park in the Poconos of Pennsylvania and had a great time in spite of the rain on the 3rd day. We had a very picturesque hike along a river and the highlight was a small set of water falls about a mile from the campgrounds.
Being retired allows us to watch most of the campers leave on Sunday since they have to go back to work and the kids have to go to school. That often leaves us to near empty campgrounds and peace and quiet!
Saw the biggest duck I’ve ever seen. It was at least 3 times bigger than any Mallard I know of. Pretty green colors which probably makes it a male since they’re usually more colorful than the females.
Here’s a link to the Promised Land State Park photo album.