Cape Elizabeth in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Battery Erasmus Keyes

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2018

1. Battery Erasmus Keyes Marker

Inscription. Battery Erasmus Keyes was completed In 1905 and named for Erasmus D. Keyes, a Maine resident and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who rose to the rank of major general during the Civil War. The battery mounted two three-inch, rapid fire guns to protect the mine field that was laid in the main channel during wartime. The distance to a target was determined by a range finder mounted in the building to the right of the battery, which also served as the battery commander's station. A searchlight was located to the left of the battery to provide illumination at night. The building in the center of the battery housed two mine control stations to plot the location of targets in the mine field. The lower level contained a magazine for each gun and a storeroom. During World War II Battery Keyes was the "alert" battery, which was manned and prepared to fire on any vessel which failed to identify itself properly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 43° 37.617′ N, 70° 12.75′ W. Marker is in Cape Elizabeth,

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Maine, in Cumberland County. It can be reached from Shore Road north of Littlejohn Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Elizabeth ME 04107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Southern Maine Coast.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Goddard (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S Army at Fort Williams (about 500 feet away); Neglect, Hope and Repair (about 500 feet away); Grand Times (about 500 feet away); Goddard Mansion (about 600 feet away); Mining Casemate (about 700 feet away); Battery Hobart (about 700 feet away); Fire Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Elizabeth.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2018

2. Battery Erasmus Keyes Marker

Battery Erasmus Keyes and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Justin W., September 6, 2023

3. Battery Erasmus Keyes and Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2018

4. Battery Erasmus Keyes Marker

Battery Erasmus Keyes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Justin W., September 6, 2023

5. Battery Erasmus Keyes

Erasmus Darwin Keyes image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

6. Erasmus Darwin Keyes

From Contemporary American Biography, 1895, Vol. 1, following page 80.

View of Battery Erasmus Keyes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Justin W., September 6, 2023

7. View of Battery Erasmus Keyes

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2018

8. Battery Erasmus Keyes Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 774 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 6, 2023, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on September 6, 2023, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 2, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on September 6, 2023, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 8. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.