The site was named in honor of Major Andrew McClary, the highest-ranking officer killed during the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The hexagonal blockhouse is a signature architectural feature reconstructed on the foundation of an 1840s original.
The location has served as a defensive post for over 250 years, spanning from the colonial era through the end of the 19th century.
The site contains granite foundations intended for heavy coastal artillery batteries that were never fully mounted.
It is situated on the site of the former Fort William, a colonial-era fortification established in the late 17th century.
Fort McClary State Historic Site is a coastal defensive installation situated on a peninsula overlooking the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor. The site features a 19th-century hexagonal blockhouse and remnants of fortifications dating back to the mid-1600s. Its strategic position was used for military defense during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Visitors can explore granite ruins, earthworks, and restored structures throughout the grounds. The site serves as a public park managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Passive recreational activities include walking, picnicking, and historical observation. It remains one of the few sites in Maine to exhibit layered defensive architecture from multiple centuries.
From the water's edge looking back toward the hexagonal blockhouse with the harbor in the background.
Bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes to navigate the uneven terrain and unpaved paths around the granite ruins.
Bring your own supplies for a picnic, as there are no food vendors on the premises.
Check the official Maine State Parks website before departure to verify seasonal operational status.
Attempting to climb or scale the older, crumbling granite walls which are structurally unstable.
Grounds typically operate seasonally from late spring through mid-autumn; consult state park status updates for winter closures.
Stay on marked paths to preserve the historical earthworks and granite structures.
