The rest of our first day in Bangor was spent visiting Fort Knox, which includes the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory, located in The Fort Knox State Park.
The fort was originally planned to defend the river valley from the British. However funds were not available until 1844, when construction was started. The fort is the first and largest granite fort built in Maine. Named after Major General Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War, it is the finest example of granite fort construction in the USA. While it never saw hostile action, it was manned during the civil War and the Spanish American War. During the Civil War the troops actually lived outside the fort in tents since the fort was still a work in progress. What makes the fort unique is that it remains in its original condition. Most of the other remaining coastal forts have been modified to meet service needs in later conflicts.
Just a few hundred feet seaward of the fort is the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory. The new bridge was completed in Dec, 2006 and the observatory was done in May 2007. The observatory is 400 feet above the park area located in the vertical support column of the bridge. Taking the elevator up, you are rewarded with a 360 degree view from several levels. You have a great view of the river, bridge span and the town of Bucksport, Maine. This is the only bridge observatory in the United States and one of four in the world.
11 comments:
great bridge shots today, Chuck!..spectacular spans!!
An interesting perspective there between the two spans of the bridge. And the fort sounds ilk the kind of place we could spend a long time exploring.
Beautiful pictures of that bridge and the surrounding area.
That granite fort will probably be around in perfect condition for centuries!
Gives a whole new perspective to the term "bird-eye view". Always love to be up high and see the terrain without having to pay for a helicopter ride!
What gorgeous pictures! The Fort is a ton BIGGER than the one we just visited. Can't wait to get into that area next summer. Thanks for the tour. Enjoy the ride.
I had never heard of a bridge observatory before. Very interesting.
Wonderful fort! You have to wonder about how the soldiers felt sleeping OUTSIDE the fort in tents! Couldn't have been a whole lot of protection from those granite walls. Thanks for the bridge views of the area.
Man, you were really up there! Did you get a nose bleed? ;c)
Love exploring those old forts, keep up the history posts, I enjoy 'em.
Great pictures!! What a unique place and how interesting that the fort is in its original condition!! Love the history!!
Sure enjoyed the photos...and interesting commentary.
We drove over that bridge when we were passing through in July and stopped to take a picture but never knew about the observatory that was in it. When I was about 10 years old my parents took us camping and we stopped by and visited Fort Knox, it was one of a few things that stood out in my mind from that trip.
Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
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