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

Fort Williams

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 16, 2009

1. Fort Williams Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This former military installation, begun in 1873 and known as The Battery at Portland Head, was a sub-post of Fort Preble until 1898 when it became a separate independent fort.
It was designated Fort Williams in honor of Brevet Major General Seth Williams, a native of Maine, and Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Army.
This coastal defense installation guarded the entrance to Casco Bay and was the headquarters for the harbor defenses of Portland.
It remained an active military base until it was closed in 1964.

Erected by South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 43° 37.379′ N, 70° 12.554′ W. Marker is in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in Cumberland County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Elizabeth ME 04107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civilian Conservation Corps (here, next to this marker); Portland Head Light (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Eagle 56 (PE-56)

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(within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Eagle-56 (PE-56) (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Blair (within shouting distance of this marker); Daily Life (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); A Town Within A Town (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Elizabeth.

Fort Williams Battery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 16, 2009

2. Fort Williams Battery

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 18, 2011

3. Fort Williams Marker

Cannon at Fort Williams Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 18, 2011

4. Cannon at Fort Williams Marker

Bell at Fort Williams Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 18, 2011

5. Bell at Fort Williams Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,361 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.