September 18, 2011

Today we finally reached the New England coast. Our first stop was in New Castle, NH. The Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is located on the Coast Guard grounds and is only open on Sundays from the first of June until the second Sunday in October. This is the third lighthouse to stand on this spot. The first two were wooden . The third, built in 1878, was constructed of iron and still stands today. It is 48 feet tall. This is one of the most well preserved lighthouses that we have visited.
Right beside the lighthouse are the remains of Fort Constitution. It was constructed in 1631 and is one of seven forts constructed to protect Portsmouth Harbor. Portsmouth Harbor is also home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard which was established in 1800. (photo was taken through a porthole of the lighthouse)

One other building that stands on an island in the Portsmouth Bay is the "Alcatraz of the East". Constructed between 1905–1908, the brig was modeled after Alcatraz, set on an island with tidal currents to deter escape. Colonel Kelton of the Marine Corps was in command when the first Navy prisoners arrived in 1908. It would eventually house Marine inmates as well.
After containing about 86,000 military inmates over its 66 year operation, the brig closed in 1974.

Our next stop was near York, ME to see the Nubble Lighthouse. This lighthouse stands on an island about 300 feet off the coast and was built in 1879. It is still in operation today.

We are staying in Scarborough, ME and will be expolring Portland, ME for the next three days.