Fort Gorges is a magnificent former United States military fort situated on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Portland, Maine. This fort is only accessed by boats. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The fort was built to serve as a fortification during 1858- 64, but no battles were fought here even no troops were settled there to date. Now it serves as a state park. This place is a hidden gem which one can discover today as there are many visitors who visit this place to see the stunning beauty of this old fort. Today the fort is accessible by only boats and ferry.

The Background of Fort Gorges

During the war of 1812, the United States Army Corps of Engineers planned to make a fort on Hog Island  Ledge in Casco Bay. It was built under the Third System of US Fortification, and the former fort was named after the colonial proprietor of Maine, Sir Ferdinando Gorges. The main purpose to build the fort was to protect the other forts including Fort Preble of South Portland and Fort Scammel of houses slain in 1808. The entire fort was designed by Reuben Staples Smart. It is the same size as Fort Sumter but the only difference is it's built of granite instead of bricks.The fort has advanced military technology, including ironclads, guns, etc. The fort consisted of 34 Rodman guns, which were ascended in the fort's casemates. 

Isolation of the Fort Gorges

Due to no use of this fort to any of the war and high maintenance, in 1898 all the guns were removed from the fort except a large 300 pounds Parrot rifle, which is one of the largest surviving specimens of Civil war vintage artillery.The fort was last during World War II to store submarine mines.

Recent status of the Fort Gorges

After 1960 the fort was acquired by the city of Portland. It is now opened as a state park and only accessible by boats or water taxis. But the fort is highly needed restoration as most of the fort is overgrown and severely damaged by the effects of elements.

A Portland developer named Mike Dugay planned to convert this fort into a commercial space, which includes a restaurant, brewery, a bed and breakfast.

In the summer of 2019, the friends of Fort Gorges initiated an abound raising campaign for the restoration of the fort. Due to covid restrictions in 2021, a fundraiser campaign was organized here and only 49 people were permitted to attend the event and others attended the campaign online.