The granite used for construction was largely sourced from nearby Fox Islands quarries.
Archaeologists have identified the 1607 Fort St. George site, the first English settlement in New England, directly beneath and around the current structure.
The fort was repurposed and used for coastal defense during both the Spanish-American War and World War I.
Its unique semicircular shape was specifically engineered to control the confluence of the Kennebec and Morse rivers.
The fort contains iron pintles embedded in the masonry, which were used to mount heavy coastal artillery pieces.
A commemorative plaque on the grounds marks the site of the Popham Colony's brief habitation.
Fort Popham is a semicircular coastal fortification located at the mouth of the Kennebec River in Phippsburg, Maine. Construction began in 1862 during the American Civil War, though the granite structure was never fully completed according to the original plans. It occupies the site of the short-lived Popham Colony, established by the Plymouth Company in 1607. The fortress features a two-tiered battery designed to defend the river entrance against naval attack. Visitors can explore the arched casemates, climb to the observation deck for harbor views, and access adjacent beach trails. The site is managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
From the upper battery level, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean and the lighthouse on Pond Island.
Bring layers, as the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean causes rapid temperature drops and high winds.
Wear closed-toe footwear with good grip to navigate the uneven stone floors and spiral staircases.
Visit during low tide to explore the surrounding shoreline and rocky tide pools.
Do not attempt to explore the darker, unlit interior chambers without a flashlight.
Open seasonally from late spring through early autumn; closed during winter months.
Stay within marked areas to avoid falling hazards; climbing on the exterior fort walls is prohibited.
