fort knox and PNO_______

Fort F.A.Q.

Penobscot Narrows Observatory F.A.Q.

Fort Knox Brochure (pdf format)

Observatory Brochure (pdf format)

News

Events

Weddings and Event Planning

Friends of Fort Knox

Gift Shop

How you can help

Educational Resources

Area Visitor Services

Park Passes

Brief History of Penobscot River, The Narrows and Bridges

Haunted Fort Stories?

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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panorama1

Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory are Open May 1st - October 31st

Open 7 days per week, including holidays

MDOTA 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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Maine State Park Passes: The Ideal Gift!

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

fright 2011
Photo by Leslie Wombacher, Sundial Photography
Click here for pix and video
of the Fort, new Bridge,
and Observatory.
Fright at the Fort 2012 "Easily the best Halloween experience in the state" Bangor Daily News
Friday & Saturday 10/19-20
Friday & Saturday 10/26-27

This page/website is the property of The Friends of Fort Knox
The Friends of Fort Knox is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Fort Knox Historic Site as a cultural, educational and economic asset for the State of Maine.

facebook Find us on Facebook

Fort Knox is a State Historic Site owned and operated by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

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

Click Here to View Part Two

Please Support our Business Members

 

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Accommodations & Campgrounds

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

Attractions & Entertainment

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

Restaurants

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

Services

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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