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Penobscot Narrows Observatory F.A.Q.
Fort Knox Brochure (pdf format)
Observatory Brochure (pdf format)
Brief History of Penobscot River, The Narrows and Bridges
Resident Admission Fees
Fort Knox
$3 Adults (65+ no charge)
$1 Children 5 - 11
Children under 5 are free!
Penobscot Narrows Observatory
$5 Adults (65+ $2.50)
$3 Children 5 - 11
Free Children 4 & under
Observatory fees include admission to Fort Knox
Non-Resident Fees (Click Here)
Operation Hours
Fort Knox
May-October
9:00am to Sunset
Penobscot Narrows Observatory
May-June, Sept-Oct.
9:00am - 5:00pm
July-August
9:00am - 6:00pm
Friends of Fort Knox
P.O. Box 456
Bucksport, ME
04416
(207) 469-6553
(207) 469-6906 FAX
fofk1@aol.com
Welcome to the Friends of Fort Knox website for Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory. Located on the west bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine, in an area known as the Penobscot Narrows, Fort Knox is one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast. The Fort has many architectural features present only to itself, as well as a rich history behind its cannon batteries.
Maine was repeatedly involved in northeast border disputes with British Canada, and the area between Castine and the rich lumber city of Bangor was invaded and occupied by the British during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Despite the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, Fort Knox was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River valley against a possible future British naval incursion.
The Fort was designed by Chief Engineer Joseph Totten with a number of other engineers serving as superintendents of construction from 1844 - 1869, among them Isaac Ingalls Stevens and Thomas L. Casey. The Fort was named for Major General Henry Knox, America's first Secretary of War, who was born in Boston but retired to Thomaston, Maine in 1796. The Fort garrisoned its first troops from 1863 to 1866. These troops were mostly volunteers undergoing training before being sent to their active posts and included members of the celebrated 20th Maine. Troops were also briefly stationed at the Fort during the Spanish American war in 1898, but never saw military action.
Come explore the Fort and discover this treasure of Maine and United States History. Fort Knox is open May 1 - October 31, from 9:00 - sunset. The grounds are open year round for your visiting pleasure. The newly constructed Penobscot Narrows Bridge boasts an observation tower, rising 420’ above sea level, which may only be accessed through the Fort. The observation tower provides a breathtaking view of the Penobscot River Valley, and is the only observatory like it in the Western Hemisphere!
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Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory are Open May 1st - October 31st
Open 7 days per week, including holidays
A one minute ride on the fastest elevator in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will take you to the top of the tallest public bridge-observatory in the world. The others are in China, Slovakia and Thailand. Just opened in May 2007, the observatory is already proving to be a popular attraction. The beauty of the Penobscot River and surrounding countryside is immediately apparent as the elevator door slides open to a dizzying view from 420 feet up. Ascend two more levels up to find 360 degrees views, complete with identification panels showing you how to locate nearby mountains, lakes and towns.
Click here for a 360 degree view from atop the Penobscot Narrows Observatory
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The perfect gift for someone who enjoys the natural beauty and history of Maine. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands manages 47 State Parks, Historic Sites and River corridors. BP&L Season Passes allow access to all day use State Parks and Historic Sites during the operating season. Click on the link above for more information.
Click Here for Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory Video
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Photo by Leslie Wombacher, Sundial Photography
of the Fort, new Bridge, and Observatory.
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| Friday & Saturday 10/19-20 Friday & Saturday 10/26-27 |
To Find Us: Enter "740 Fort Knox Road, Prospect, Maine 04981" into GPS unit, Mapquest or Google Maps
From Belfast: Proceed north on US Rte 1, through Searsport and Stockton Springs, immediately before crossing the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, take a left onto Rte. 174. Fort Knox will be approximately 1/4 mile up on your right.
From Bar Harbor: Follow US Rte. 1 south across the Penobscot Narrows bridge, immediately adjacent to the town of Bucksport. Once over the bridge take a right onto Rte. 174. Fort Knox will be approximately 1/4 mile up on your right.
From Bangor: On Rte. 1A South....follow Rte 1A South through the towns of Hampden, Winterport, Frankfort and Prospect. In Prospect Center, take a left onto Rte. 174. Follow Rte 174 approximately 4 miles. Fort Knox will be on your left. On Rte 15 South....follow Rte 15 South through the city of Brewer and the towns of Orrington and Bucksport. In Bucksport, take a right onto US Rte.1 South and proceed over the Penobscot Narrows bridge. Immediately upon exiting the bridge take a right onto Rte. 174. Fort Knox will be approximately 1/4 mile up on your right
Click here for a YouTube Video Tour of Fort Knox - Part One
Please Support our Business Members
Alamoosook Lakeside Inn
PO Box 16, Orland, ME 04472
(207) 469-6393
info@alamoosooklakesideinn.com
Balsam Cove Campground
Lakeside Camping, 45 minutes from Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park
286 Back Ridge Rd, P.O. Box C, East Orland, ME 04431
(207)469-7771
michelle@balsamcove.com
Belfast Harbor Inn
91 Searsport Ave. Belfast, ME 04915
(800)545-8576
stay@belfastharborinn.com
Belmont Inn
6 Belmont Ave, Camden, ME 04843
(207)236-8053
innkeeper@thebelmontinn.com
Bucksport Motor Inn
70 US Rte. 1, P.O. Box 2000, Bucksport, ME 04416
(207)469-3111
IBucksportmotor@roadrunner.com
Country Inn at Camden and Rockport
Bill Hahn
8 Country Inn Way Rockport, ME 04856 P.O. Box 277 Camden, ME 04843
(207)236-2725
info@countryinnmaine.com
Cedar Crest Inn
Bill Hahn
115 Elm St. P.O. Box 277 Camden, ME 04843
(207)236-4839
info@cedarcrestinnmaine.com
Fort Knox Park Inn
64 Main Street, Bucksport, ME 04416
phone: (207)469-3113 fax:(207) 469-3113
fortknoxinn@gmail.com
Flying Moose Lodge - A Woods Camp for Boys
Christopher and Shelly Price
15 Waldron St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 (207)288-3088
prices@flyingmooselodge.com
Mount Battie Motel
2158 Atlantic Highway (US Route 1) Lincolnville Beach, ME 04849
(207) 236-3870
stay@mountbattie.com
Old Quarry Campground
Captain Bill Baker
130 Settlement Rd., Stonington, ME 04681
(207)367- 8977
info@oldquarry.com
Orland House Bed & Breakfast
Alvion and Cindi Kimball
P.O. Box 306, Orland, ME 04472
(207)469-1144
innkeeper@orlandhouse.com
Searsport Shores
Ocean front camping. Located on Route 1, south of Fort Knox.
216 West Main St. Searsport, ME 04974
(207)548-6059 ext 216
relax@campocean.com
Yardarm Motel
172 East Main St. Searsport, ME 04974
(207)548-2404
yardarm@searsportmaine.com
Northeast Historic Film
P.O. Box 900, 85 Main Street, Bucksport, ME 04416
(800) 639-1636
Old Quarry Ocean Adventures
Ocean Front Recreational Facility
130 Settlement Rd, Stonington, ME 04681
(207) 367-8977
info@oldquarry.com
Penobscot Marine Museum
P.O. Box 498, Searsport, ME 04974
(207)548-2529
Perry's Nut House
45 Searsport Ave. (US route 1) Belfast, Maine 04915
1-888-6PERRYS (1-888-673-7797) or (207)-338-1630
WABI - TV
35 Hildreth Street
Bangor, ME 04401
telephone: 207.947.8321 fax:207.941.9378
wabi@wabi.tv
The Winterport Winery
279 South Main St.
Winterport, ME 04496
telephone:207.223.4500
info@winterportwinery.com
Woodlawn Museum
Rte 172 Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207)667-8671
info@woodlawnmuseum.com
BELFAST SOUP AND SANDWICH RESTAURANT
100 Main St., Bucksport, ME 04416
(207)469-3097
drinkh2O@netzero.com
CROSBY'S DRIVE-IN
30 State Rte 46., Bucksport, ME 04416
(207)469-3460
THE GOOD KETTLE -HOMESTYLE CARRY OUT SOUPS, SANDWICHES AND MORE
247 US Rte 1 Stockton Springs, ME 04981 .....Will deliver to Fort Knox
Phone -(207) 567-2035 Fax - (207) 567-2036 info@thegoodkettle.com
THE LOOKOUT - FINE DINING AND CATERING
455 Flye Point Road,
Brooklin, ME 04616
Phone -(207) 359-2188 Elwood@theLookoutInn.biz
WAHL'S 'DAIRY PORT'
79 Main Street Bucksport, ME 04416
(207)469-3697
Bangor Letter Shop
99 Washington St. Bangor, ME 04401
(207)945-9311
joel@bangorlettershop.com
B and J Taxi Services - Need a ride to Fort Knox? Call (207) 745-0940
Bittersweet Gift Shop
347 Main St Bucksport, ME 04416
(207)469-5971
NH Bragg and Sons - Industrial, safety, and welding suppliers
92 Perry Road, Bangor, ME 04401
877-642-7244 (877-NHBRAGG)
College Avenue Dental Associates
G.J. Farren, DMD,PC
379 College Avenue, Orono, ME 04473-4260
(207)866-5591
John R Crooker Insurance
6 Elm Street Bucksport, ME 04416
(888)444-0136
Cyr Bus Lines / John T Cyr and Sons
153 Gilman Falls Avenue, Old Town, ME 04468
(800) 244-2335
info@cyrbustours.com
Dutch Chevrolet - Buick - "Doing Business the Right Way since 1926"
6 Belmont Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915
(207) 338-1470 or (800) 339-2468
Ellsworth Building Supplies at Bucksport
4 Gross Point Road Orland, Maine 04472
(800)640-4328 djp@ebsbuild.com
Ellsworth Building Supplies
261 State St. Ellsworth, ME. 04605
(800)244-7134
W.S Emerson Company
15 Acme Rd, P.O. Box 10 Brewer, ME 04412
(800) 789-6120 (207) 989-3410
Getchell Brothers Ice
1 Union Street, Brewer, Maine 04412
(800)949-4423 info@getchellbros.com
Liberty Graphics - Science and Nature T-Shirts
44 Main Street, P.O. Box 5, Liberty, ME 04949
207-589-4596
sales@lgtees.com
Mainely Pottery
181 Searsport Ave, Belfast, ME 04915
(207)338-1108
info@mainelypottery.com
McRae Welding
422 Riverside Drive Eddington, ME 04428
Miller Drug
4 Locations in Bangor and Brewer- 915 Union St. Bangor (207) 973-6788
431 State St. Bangor (207)973-8888, 210 State St. Bangor (207) 947- 8369, 33 Whiting Hill, Brewer (207) 973-9444
Rosen's Clothing Store
Main Street Bucksport, Maine 04416
(207) 469-3306
RRosen@rosenstore.com
Shutter Images
65 Main St. Bucksport, ME 04416
(888)469-7741
Silkweeds
191 East Main Street Searsport, Maine USA 04974
(207) 548-6501
Tradewinds Marketplace
15 South Street, Blue Hill, Maine 04614
(207) 374-5137
Viking, Inc. - Building Materials
PO Box B, Belfast, ME 04915
(207) 338-3480
Walmart of Brewer
24 Walton Drive, Brewer, ME 04412
(207) 989-5068
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