Fort Gorges

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See inside one of the most iconic landmarks in Maine - the Civil War-era fort in Casco Bay.

Friends Of Fort Gorges is committed to the restoration and preservation of Fort Gorges and ensuring access to facilitate its educational and cultural potential. We believe in partnering with our community to fulfill this vision.

TRIP LENGTH: 2.5 Nautical Miles (if you loop around the fort) HIGHLIGHTS: Exploring the inside an amazing old fort, looking at interesting boats/ships along the way, watching harbor seals Fort Gorges is just one mile from the Portland waterfront, and it has a few features that make it particularly unique and fun to explore. For one thing, the fort is practically an island itself. It was built on the low, rocky land mass called Hog Island, but it takes up virtually the whole island, creating the illusion that its thick granite walls are rising out of the ocean.

Named after Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Fort Gorges was built 1858-1864 by Ruben Smart and is modeled after Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Fort Gorges was planned and constructed as one of three forts in Portland Harbor in reaction to the threat of foreign naval powers, initially provoked by the War of 1812. It is a D-shaped, two-story, enclosed fortress, constructed entirely with local granite, and hosted 56 gun emplacements on the south, east, and west facades.

Friends Of Fort Gorges. Please help us "make the Fort Gorges" by donating and volunteering to keep it safe and accessible.

Book your tickets online for Fort Gorges, Portland: See 35 reviews, articles, and 17 photos of Fort Gorges, ranked No.55 on TripAdvisor among 150 attractions in Portland.

Fort Gorges is a former United States military fort built on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Maine. Built from 1858 to 1864, no battles were fought there and no troops were stationed there. Advancing military technology, including iron clad ships and long range guns, made the fort obsolete before it could be used. The fort is now a park, accessible only by boat. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[2]