Fort Edgecomb was constructed to protect Wiscasset - a critical port community and one of the busiest in New England in the early nineteenth century. Built at the south end of Davis Island, it overlooked both the Sheepscot River and Back River and provided an excellent vantage point to keep watch on approaching maritime traffic. The octagonal fort is modelled after English forts and is two stories tall. The walls of the first story, 27' feet high, are pierced by narrow openings so that muskets could be fired from the interior. The second story, 30' high, also has port holes, like the deck of a warship. It was built under the direction of Secretary of War Henry Davis. Davis marched with Benedict Arnold to Quebec, served as land agent for the Bowdoin Family (one of the Kennebec Proprietors who settled the greater area), and represented Maine in the Continental Congress. The only time the 18-pound guns were fired was on March 4, 1809 for the inauguration of President James Madison. The fort is now a state historic site and owned by the State of Maine.
Year Listed: 1969
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=838f2c8e-6513-4f2e-b712-6d68ea3d0d15
https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=32