Fort Williams

Gorgeous Park with a Rich History

Description

Situated close to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, Portland Head Light, Fort Williams was once spread over 90 acres of beautiful sea-side land. The Fort played an active role in World War I and was the headquarters for Portland's Harbor Defenses during World War II. It used to house batteries, a bandstand, laundry, officers' quarters, fire station, and bakery. Today, some of the building remains still stand and are great for exploring, especially many of the batteries that are built into the ground. Another interesting building to see is the Goddard Mansion, a stately structure that once was home to Colonel John Goddard and his family; today it is mostly a skeleton of the original home, but is still an intriguing place to walk around.