Fort McClary

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.

Directions:
Head north on Interstate 95 and cross the High Level Bridge into Maine and take Exit 2 to the Kittery Traffic Circle. Or take Route #1 from downtown Portsmouth, NH north into Maine and go approximately 1 mile to the Kittery Traffic Circle. From the Kittery Traffic Circle, take Route 103 north and go three miles, look for the signs for Fort McClary on your right and you are there.