Fort Knox (1)

Fort Knox (1) (1844-1923) - A Third System Fort designed by Chief Engineer Joseph G. Totten and constructed between 1844-1869 under the supervision of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Thomas L. Casey and others. Named for Major General Henry Knox, first U.S. Secretary of War.

Fort Knox, Maine	Fort Knox Entrance and Sallyport

Fort Knox (1) History

Established to protect the Penobscot River valley from attack.

Fort Knox is a two level granite Third System Fort containing mounts for 64 cannons. Four batteries, mounting a total of 69 cannons, cover four lines of defense outside the main building. The largest caliber weapon was an impressive 15-inch Rodman cannon.

Work stopped in 1869 and the fort was still not completely finished.

Troops were stationed at the fort during the U.S. Civil War between 1863-1866 and in 1898 during the Spanish American War.

Current Status

One of the best preserved coastal fortifications in New England.

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Location: On Route 174, just off U.S. Route 1 west of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, Prospect, Waldo County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 44.56615 Long: -68.802438 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 207'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 366
• Kaufmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W., Fortress America: The Forts That Defended America, 1600 to the Present, DaCapo Press, 2004, ISBN 0-306-81294-0, page 210-211

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Knox
• Wikipedia - Fort Knox
• State Park Site
• Maine Guide

Visited: 16 Jun 2012

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