East End in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Welcome To Fort Sumner Park

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021

1. Welcome To Fort Sumner Park Marker

Inscription.

Welcome To Fort Sumner Park. . , Fort Sumner Park, located behind you acros North Street, began its history in 1775 during the Revolutionary War. Initially referred to as The Great Fort, and later, as The Citadel, it was commissioned in 1794 as the first federal fort in Maine, part of the new nation's coastal defense system. The viewing platform and benches behind you on the skyline at the far end of the Park are where the Fort's heavy cannon were mouned for the protection of Portland Neck and Back Cove. When you walk to the viewing platform you will see why this spot was chosen for the defense of the city's land and water approaches., In 1799, The Citadel was renamed Fort Sumner for then Massachusetts' Governor Sumner. At this time Fort Sumner was connected to another five gun coastal battery intended for the protection of the inner harbor located on Adams Street, which is several blocks to the south, located across Congress Street and down the slope of Munjoy Hill closer to the port. Fort Sumner and the Adams Street battery where connected to one-another by a series of covered tranchesknown as The Covert Way., At the time, streetw which crossed The Covert Way did so over wooden bridges. This trench system allowing for the discreet passage of arms and materials between the Fort and the Adams Street battery. Traces of The Covert Way still exist. Between 1798 and 1808 Fort Sumner was rebuilt with a blockhouse, magazine, barracks, and a brick gun house., In the 1820's, after the War of 18 12, the Fort was decommissioned and in 1890 the City of Portland acquired the land for what would become Fort Sumner Park from five separate owners. Part of the land purchased was used for the construction of Schailer School - the existing brick structure on the southern side of the Park., The bulk of the school was built on the former site of Fort Sumner and its barracks. The greenspace of the Park adjacent to Schailer School is the Fort's former parade ground. In the 1930's the fort Sumner Park was landscaped with a carriage road which loped around a gazebo located in what is now occupied by the viewing platform and benches. In 1940, the gazebo was demolished to improve the view., In 2016, Friends of Fort Sumner was formed by citizens who became concerned over proposed development of land areas adjacent to the Park, which if realized, would obsucure the grand vistas of the Park. Collaborating with city leaders and city zoning, Friends of Fort Sumner brokered a special zoning overlay for the Park which will protect the Park's views for future generations.

Fort Sumner Park, located behind you acros North Street, began its history in 1775 during the Revolutionary War. Initially referred to as The Great Fort, and later, as The Citadel, it was commissioned in 1794 as the first federal fort in Maine, part of the new nation's coastal defense system. The viewing platform and benches behind you on the skyline at the far end of the Park are where the Fort's heavy cannon were mouned for the protection of Portland Neck and Back Cove. When you walk to the viewing platform you will see why this spot was chosen for the defense of the city's land and water approaches.

In 1799, The Citadel was renamed Fort Sumner for then Massachusetts' Governor Sumner. At this time Fort Sumner was connected to another five gun coastal battery intended for the protection of the inner harbor located on Adams Street, which is several blocks to the south, located across Congress Street and down the slope of Munjoy Hill closer to the port. Fort Sumner and the Adams Street battery where connected to one-another by a series of covered tranchesknown as The Covert Way.

At the time, streetw which crossed The Covert Way did so over wooden bridges. This trench system allowing for the discreet passage of arms and materials between the

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Fort and the Adams Street battery. Traces of The Covert Way still exist. Between 1798 and 1808 Fort Sumner was rebuilt with a blockhouse, magazine, barracks, and a brick gun house.

In the 1820's, after the War of 1812, the Fort was decommissioned and in 1890 the City of Portland acquired the land for what would become Fort Sumner Park from five separate owners. Part of the land purchased was used for the construction of Schailer School - the existing brick structure on the southern side of the Park.

The bulk of the school was built on the former site of Fort Sumner and its barracks. The greenspace of the Park adjacent to Schailer School is the Fort's former parade ground. In the 1930's the fort Sumner Park was landscaped with a carriage road which loped around a gazebo located in what is now occupied by the viewing platform and benches. In 1940, the gazebo was demolished to improve the view.

In 2016, Friends of Fort Sumner was formed by citizens who became concerned over proposed development of land areas adjacent to the Park, which if realized, would obsucure the grand vistas of the Park. Collaborating with city leaders and city zoning, Friends of Fort Sumner brokered a special zoning overlay for the Park which will protect the Park's views for future generations.

Erected by

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021

2. Welcome To Fort Sumner Park Marker

Friends of Fort Sumner.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 43° 40.068′ N, 70° 15.02′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in East End. It is on North Street just south of Melbourne Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 73 North St, Portland ME 04101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Charles F. Eastman (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portland Observatory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portland Observatory, Portland, Maine (approx. 0.2 miles away); War of 1812 Graveyard (approx. ¼ mile away); George Cleeves Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Eastern Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alonzo P. Stinson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Christopher Christian Manuel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Additional commentary.
1. Capt. Amos Stoddard Announces Name Change to Fort Sumner, Gives Oration, July 4, 1799

Amos Stoddard (1762-1813) was born in Woodbury, CT and raised in Lenox, MA. In the spring of 1779, at the age

Fort Sumner Park entrance, which stands directly across the street from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021

3. Fort Sumner Park entrance, which stands directly across the street from the marker

of 16, he enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He mustered-in with Inspector General Baron de Steuben at “The Highlands” (today, West Point). At this post, he witnessed the escape of General Benedict Arnold and later attended the hanging of British Major John Andre at present-day Tappen, New York. While serving under the overall command of Major General Lafayette during the Campaign of 1781, he participated in the Battle of Green Springs, the Siege of Yorktown and attended the surrender ceremony of General Cornwallis and the British army. Major Amos Stoddard died May 11, 1813 from wounds he received on the first day of the Siege of Fort Meigs (Ohio) during the War of 1812.

From 1796 until June 1798, Amos Stoddard served as brigadier major and inspector in the 2nd Brigade 8th Division of the Massachusetts militia while living at Hallowell, Massachusetts (today, Maine). On May 28, 1798 his name was submitted to the U.S. Senate by President John Adams and he was commissioned a captain in the U.S. Army Corp of Artillerists and Engineers by the Senate on June 4, 1778. By 1799 he was commanding at “The Citadel” at Portland. He reported to Major General Alexander Hamilton.

Capt. Stoddard sent a letter to Secretary of War James McHenry on February 6, 1799 stating that important gentlemen of Portland wished that the improved fort receive a name, and said that the townsmen

Letter from Capt. Amos Stoddard to Major General Alexander Hamilton, July 9, 1799 image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Letter from Capt. Amos Stoddard to Major General Alexander Hamilton, July 9, 1799

Letter summarizes and confirms the event of July 4, 1799 in which the fort at Portland became named Fort Sumner. Capt. Stoddard also provided an oration to the citizens of Portland and the members of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at this event.

suggested to name it, Fort McHenry, in his honor. James McHenry then wrote to Major General Alexander Hamilton on May 3, 1799 authorizing that the fort would be named Fort Sumner in honor of Increase Sumner, the Massachusetts governor. Governor Increase Sumner then died on June 7, 1799. The fort was still named after the late governor as a sign of respect to his virtues and memory. The order to name the fort was then communicated to Capt. Stoddard by Major Daniel Jackson on June 14, 1799.

A public ceremony was held on July 4, 1799. In addition to the announcement of the naming of the fort, Capt. Stoddard, the commanding officer at Portland, gave, “An Oration, Delivered Before the Citizens of Portland, and Supreme Judicial Court, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the Fourth Day of July 1799; Being the Anniversary of American Independence.” This oration was then printed and sold by E.A. Jenks.

Captain Stoddard wrote to Major General Alexander Hamilton on July 9, 1799, and described the event, as follows:

“…the ceremony was passed in the presence of several hundred Spectators; and I flatter myself, that the tribute of respect, so deservedly due to the memory and virtues of our late Governor, was not omitted on the occasion.”

Newspaper reports from the time say that the event ended with the firing of three cannon shot and three

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cheers from the company of artillerists and the crowd of spectators gathered.

See the book, The Autobiography Manuscript of Major Amos Stoddard, Deluxe Edition with Color Illustrations, available on Amazon, for more information on the conditions Capt. Stoddard encountered in fielding a company of artillerists and commanding a seafort battery at this location in the very early years of our Republic and while our regular army force was only beginning to be formed by President John Adams and was still extremely small. A reproduction of the original “Mr. Stoddard’s Oration” booklet, “An Oration, Delivered Before the Citizens of Portland, and Supreme Judicial Court, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the Fourth Day of July 1799; Being the Anniversary of American Independence,” printed and sold by E.A. Jenks, has been created and is also available on Amazon.

Concerning seafort battery installations, it should also be noted that “Battery (Amos) Stoddard” at Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington is named for him.

— Submitted December 5, 2022, by Robert Stoddard of Idyllwild, California.

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 1,082 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on December 20, 2022, by Robert Stoddard of Idyllwild, California.