- Fort St. George (or Fort Sagadahoc) (1607 - 1608), a British fort from 1744, a Patriot fort from 1775, and an American Battery on Hunnewell's Point (1808 - 1814), is a six-gun work with a brick magazine and barracks. The earliest of the three forts, it is currently providing archealogists a multitude of knowledge regarding this first settlement, often referred to as "Jamestown's Lost Twin" or "The Lost Colony." The Popham Colony provides a historical background of Fort St. George and the archeological excavations being conducted. The most important document to survive from the Popham Colony is John Hunt's Map (which can be viewed at the Popham Colony website), "Draught of St. Georges fort...," dated 8 October 1607, shows the map plan of Fort St. George. The Archealogical Channel has provided actual audio comments from Dr. Jeffrey Brain, head researcher of the Popham Colony excavation site. Well worth the vist.
- Fort Popham (1861-1918) (State Historic Site), dominates the tip of Hunnewell Point and is an ante bellum, unfinished stone fort guarding the entrance to the Kennebec River. Construction of Fort Popham, built during the Civil War in 1860 and never finished, was abandoned in 1869. An unnamed battery (1899 - 1910) protecting an underwater minefield has been located here. Fort Popham is located two miles further down Route 209 through the village of Popham Beach. It sits on the banks of the Kennebec River where it broadens into Atkins Bay, and offers views of Georgetown across the river.
- Fort Baldwin (1905-1928) represents an earlier coast defense of the Kennebec River, built during World War I as an observatory used to spot periscopes of enemy submarines, it sits atop nearby Sabino Hill. Also located at Sabino Head were Battery Hardman (1908 - 1917), Battery Hawley (1908 - 1924), Battery Cogan (1908 - 1924), and an unnamed battery of four 155mm guns from WWII (two on Battery Hawley and two next to Battery Hawley) Observation towers were built here and at Small Point for World War II and were used for Battery 102/Steele on Peaks Island. The tower at Small Point still exists. List of American Military Reservations and Concrete Gun Batteries describes the these Harbor Defenses of the Kennebec River. See also "Casco Bay During World War II" By Joel W. Eastman, University of Southern Maine - an article showing how Casco Bay played a significant role in World War II from the beginning of the war to the end.
 | Welcome to Phippsburg |  |
| Phippsburg Town Hall | Betty. J. Heron, Town Clerk 1042 Main Road Phippsburg, ME 04562 (207) 389-2653 Hours: Please call when planning a visit |
| Phippsburg Historical Society | Parker Head Road P.O. Box 21 Phippsburg, ME 04562 |
Popham Beach, Sagadahoc, ME
The Phippsburg, Maine Weather page - everything you could ever want to know about current weather conditions at Popham Beach and the surrounding area
The Popham Colony - See what archeologists are discovering about the first English Colony in New England.
Phippsburg VRs to the Year 1892 transcribed from records of Mary Pelham Hill at Family History Library, SLC by Arlene L. Ackermann. WARNING!! - This is only a partial listing. 
10 Sep 2006
Phippsburg (see map at Sagadahoc County and Its Towns) constitutes the southern point of Sagadahoc County and lies between the Kennebec River on the east and New Meadows Harbor and West Bath on the west. On the opposite side of this harbor is Great Island, a part of Harpswell; on the eastern side are the island towns of Arrowsic and Georgetown; Bath lies at the northwest. Phippsburg is very nearly 12-1/2 miles in extreme length and has an average width of about 3 miles, with bays and inlets marking its entire circumference.
Following the shore northeastward from Cape Small Point, is the inlet known as Sprague's and Morse's Rivers, succeeded by Hunniwell's Beach; north which Hunnewell's Point and Sabino peninsula form the eastern shore of Atkins' Bay. On its northern side rises the lofty bluff of Coxe's Head, upon which, in 1814, an earthwork was erected; beyond which is Wyman's Bay. At the north looms Parker's Head, and at its southwestern side is the inlet basin forming the tide-power known as Parker's Head Mill Pond. Next is the harbor at Phippsburg Center, with Drummore Bay two miles above with inlet and tide-power. Through Fiddler's Reach, a curve of the Kennebec around the northern end of Phippsburg, is Winnegance Creek, nearly three miles in length and a basin at its extremity, forming two unsurpassed tide-powers, and separating Phippsburg from Bath and from West Bath, except for a neck 200 rods in width, the Winnegance Carrying Place. South of this is the Western Basin, Horse Island Harbor, Small Point Harbor, and several others. There is some sale meadow in the northern part and the insulated ponds are Cornelius, Water Cove, Parker's Head, Rooks, and Popham.
The surface of the town is rough and ledgy, but without high hills, except the long ridge of Morse's Mountain, which rises some 50 feet above the plain. The depth of water is sufficient for vessels of considerable size to come quite up to the mills on several of the tide-powers. On the Winnegance Tide-Power, three miles from the Bath post office and four miles from Phippsburg Center Village, have been sixteen mills, nine on the Bath side and seven on the Phippsburg side of the line. Some of these, however, were burned several years since.
West of Fort Popham rises a long hill running southward and marking on the shore the western extremity of Hunnewell's Beach. At Small Point Harbor, on the southwest side of the town, is the site of a fishing settlement established by the Pejepscot proprietors in 1716, with the name of Augusta. Dr. Oliver Noyes, one of the proprietors, was the principal director and patron, and in 1717, Captain John Penhallow, author of a noted history of the Indian Wars, resided here. In 1716, Dr. Noyes erected a stone fort 100 feet square for the purpose of protecting the settlers who were coming in rapidly. A sloop named Pejepscot was employed as a packet between this Augusta and Boston, carrying out lumber and fish, and bringing back merchandise nad settlers. The settlement continued until Lovewell's War, when the houses were burnt and the fort destroyed by the Indians. In 1737, an attempt at resettlement was made. Among those who came at this time were three families of Halls, Clark, Wallace, Wyman, James Doughty, David Gustin, Jeremiah Springer, Nicholas Rideout, and John Owens.
Phippsburg was included in the Pejepscot grant to Purchase and Way, and after Wharton's purchase their lands were confirmed anew to some of the purchasers. The south part of the town was bought from the Indians by Thomas Atkins, the remainder by John Parker, Jr. in 1659, and the northern part was assigned to his brother-in-law, Thomas Webber, who also obtained an Indian title. Silvanus Davis, widely known in his day, owned and improved a farm south of Webber's . In 1734, Colonel Arthur Noble built a strong garrison on the north side of the peninsula near Fiddler's Reach. The first house of worship known in this settlement was erected near this garrison in 1736. Some 35 years later an Episcopal church was erected on the site of this first house. The present Congregational church at the Center was built about 1802.
The extension of the North Yarmouth Line direct to the ocean brought the southern part of Phippsburg into that town; but the whole, for the convenience of the inhabitants, was, in 1741, annexed to Georgetown. In 1814 Phippsburg was separated from that town and incorporated under its present name, which was adopted in honor of Sir William Phips. Eminent names among the citizens of the town in days past are Mark L. Hill, Andrew Reed, Parker McCobb, James Bowker, William M. and Thomas M. Reed.
Popham Beach Historic Spots and Links
Popham Beach is known to history buffs as the location of the first colony in America, established in 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, making it the site of the earliest English colony in New England. The peninsula on the eastern side of the southern part, that bears on its northeastern point the lofty granite walls of Fort Popham, still bears the marks of its occupancy by Popham's colony in 1607. "Explore Maine's Beginnings" "Maine's First Ship" - a group reconstructing the pinnace VIRGINIA, built in 1607 by the first English settlers of Popham Beach offers workshops at Popham Beach - a most unique learning experience
Popham Beach is also home to three historical forts:
Directions to the forts of Phippsburg/Popham Beach: From Route 1 just before the new Sagadahoc Bridge in Bath, take Route 209 south and follow all the way to Phippsburg (14 miles). To reach Fort Popham and the quaint village of Popham, which is part of Phippsburg, continue past the State Park entrance on Route 209. The fort is at the end of the road, after the town. Fort Baldwin can be reached by heading back through the village and taking the first right after the chapel and library on Fort Baldwin Road. Both forts are open May through Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. until sunset.
While you're in the area, visit Sequin Island - Seguin Island's location two miles off the mouth of the Kennebec River makes it an exciting place to visit. It is not easy to get to, but, once there, you will find the trip has been well worth it. The Seguin Island Light Station, operated by the Friends of Seguin Island, Inc. is a photographer's delight. Bird lovers will enjoy visiting Project Puffin Research Stations at the Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge, located 1/2 mile off Popham Beach in the Kennebec River, Sagadahoc County (about a one-hour drive south of Bremen.) Pond Island is owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, but is managed by the National Audubon Society.
Popham Beach is a special place in our family. I was born in Bath and my family has lived in Bath and the surrounding area for many years. Everyone in the family has spent time at Popham Beach, owned property in Popham (my aunt used to have a cottage at Popham Beach right at the bend in the road before you head to the beach, Ft. Popham, and Spinney's), and most of us go back every once in a while for a break from our day-to-day lives. My mother's ashes (at her request) were lovingly placed at Popham Beach a few years back by my sister and I.
I invite you to visit some of the links mentioned above and also those below and see why Popham Beach has such a special place in my heart. I apologize for the brevity of my list; however, I hope to add more links as time goes on; or maybe the new host (see below) of the Phippsburg page will pick up where I've left off.
"Hunnewell's Point" is an area now more well known as the fishing and tourist village of Popham Beach, Maine. Hunnewell Beach is a large beach just south of the village of Popham Beach. The Hunnewell Beach Coast Guard Station was closed in 1971 and sold to local interests. It is now the Popham Beach Bed and Breakfast, operated by Peggy Johannessen - just walk out the front door of the Old Coast Guard Station, onto the sandy shore of Popham Beach. A visit to Popham Beach, Hunnewell's Point, and Hunnewell Beach will richly reward the avid family history buff. Stop at the quaint village and have a lobster roll, visit the old fort, check out the small library, bed down and breakfast at the old Hunnewell Beach Coast Guard Station or the Stonehouse Manor - a beautifully, maintained home located across the road from my aunt's former cottage, and try to soak up the feeling of what it must have been like living there over 300 years ago. Popham Beach is known to many as the setting for the beach scenes in the hit movie "Message in a Bottle," starring Kevin Costner, Robin Wright Penn, and Paul Newman. The beautiful coastline of Maine was chosen as a stand-in for the chain of islands off the North Carolina coast, utilizing various cities near the maritime town of Bath, including New Harbor, Boothbay Harbor and Popham Beach. In addition to the picturesque locations, the towns offered locals renowned for their boat building expertise. Check out these links for more information." Popham Beach, one of the finest and longest sandy beaches in Maine, is located at the tip of the Phippsburg peninsula near Bath, and, for most of us born and raised in the area, Popham Beach means three miles of beautiful sandy beach for great swimming; natural rock outcroppings and tidal pools for interesting explorations; and an old, crumbling fort on the banks of the Kennebec River. for others Popham Beach means archealogical history, a settlement colony, and military fortifications.
F.W. Chesson has a written a wonderful synopsis of the forts called "Defending the Kennebec" - you can view it at The Forts of Maine. Interested in some nice photos of the forts? Check out Chris & Jamie's Forts of Maine - great kid's view of Ft. Popham, Ft. Baldwin (both at Popham Beach), and other Maine forts; and Weasy's page - contains only pictures of Ft. Baldwin.
I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Popham Beach - a very unique, beautiful, and special place. Come back again when you need a relaxing visit to my "heaven on earth." Saltwater fly fishing at Popham Beach, Maine - the premier surfcasting location for stripers
Physical Geology Field Trips at Colby College - Geology is a field-based science and is taught that way at Colby. Students in the introductory course (GE141: Physical Geology) go on four separate field trips during the semester, which introduce them to various aspects of the local geology of Maine.
Popham Beach State Park is located along the Atlantic Coast offering 529 acres of recreation land. The park is a day use facility open April 15 through October 30 of each year.
I'm looking for someone who is keenly interested in the history and genealogy of the Town of Phippsburg to assume responsibility of this Sagadahoc County, Maine GenWeb page. Previous knowledge and skill in building and maintaining web pages is not a requirement; however, a basic knowledge of HTML coding and uploading via FTP (or other software) to a server would be very helpful. Primarily, all it takes is a passion for the area of interest and genealogy in general to maintain the pages and extend a helping hand and direction to all those visitors seeking information. There is a friendly and helpful community of GenWeb hosts who are always willing to offer direction, advice, and assistance. Will you take on your ancestor's town and make it something more?
Please send me an e-mail at [email protected] if you would like more details on this opportunity. The US/Maine/Sagadahoc GenWeb projects have grown only because many individuals volunteer to do a little bit to contribute to the whole. We'd love to have you join us.
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 | This Sagadahoc County Website was designed, created, and is maintained by Arlene L. Brown Ackermann. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. |
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