East End in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Civil War guns
In 1866, a year after the Civil War ended, these guns (technically, called 4.5-inch Siege Rifles) were cast in Pittsburgh by the Fort Pitt Foundry. They could fire a 25-to 30-pound ball 3,200 nearly 2 miles! In the early 1900s, they were acquired for display in the new park.
The original cannon?
In 1814, this fort was designed to have eight guns defending the harbor, but was outfitted with only two likely never fire.
Later, those guns were removed when Portland's defense shifted to harbor forts such as Fort Gorges. What happened to the original cannon? Unknown.
These Seige Rifles were refurbished and mounted on replica aluminum garrison carriages as part of the park's rehabilitation in time for its Bicentennial Celebration in 2014.
Erected by Friends of the Eastern Promenade.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 43° 39.938′ N, 70° 14.458′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in East End. It is at the intersection of Eastern Promenade and Morning Street,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. 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: The story of Fort Allen Park (here, next to this marker); Why build Fort Allen? (a few steps from this marker); GAR Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 20,000 Civil War veterans tent here (within shouting distance of this marker); 1893 Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Portland Maine Fort Allen Park USS Portland Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Remember the Maine (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
