The
Penobscot Narrows Bridge is the only bridge observatory in the United States
and one of only four bridge observatories in the world. The Bridge
has a 2,120 foot span and clearance between the bridge and
water is 135 feet. The tallest point on the Bridge is 447 feet above the base and the three-story observatory is
only 27 feet from the top of the highest bridge tower. All three floors of the observatory have glass walls for 360 degree views (see second picture). The Bridge was constructed from granite from the nearby Mt. Waldo
quarry, and the Washington Monument was partially built with granite from the same
quarry, so the designs of the two bridge towers are in the shape of the
Washington Monument.
Fort
Knox (same Knox, different fort) is located adjacent to the Penobscot
Narrows Bridge Observatory and is an interesting place to spend the afternoon.
(Bring a flashlight if you like to explore dark places, as there is no electrical lighting.)
Fort
Knox was the first and largest of the granite forts built in Maine. The Fort
has two levels and four batteries with mounts for 135 cannons. Nearly one
million dollars were spent to build the Fort; but congressional appropriations
were sporadic, so construction continued for 25 years. When the work finally
stopped in 1869, the fort was still not completed. The batteries were designed
with “hot shot furnaces” that heated cannon balls so hot that if a cannon ball
hit a wooden ship, it would start the ship on fire. However, with the development
of iron-clad ships, the “hot shot furnaces” soon became obsolete.
The
Penobscot Marine Museum's campus consists of eight structures
that are listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, including the original Searsport Town Hall, the First Congregational Church, private
residences, and a commercial building, all of which date from about 1810 to
1845. The First Congregational Church was constructed in 1830 and is unusually
ornate, including a stamped tin interior ceiling, stained glass windows, hand-carved
pews, and a remarkable pipe organ.
We
had wanted to see some Puffins while we were in Maine, so we visited the
Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. Unfortunately, the Visitor Center
was closed when we arrived. Our disappointment was short-lived, however, when
we found out that the tour boats did not actually dock on the islands where the
Puffins were nesting. Apparently, the boats are equipped with a large telescope
cameras, so you stay on the boat and watch the puffins on a large TV screen
while the crew members maneuver the telescope to the various nesting areas.
The
Maine Lighthouse Museum is located in the same general area as the Project Puffin
Visitor Center, but it was also closed. The Lighthouse Museum contains the
largest collection of Fresnel lighthouse lenses, and the most important landmark
collections of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia, in the Unites
States. Although the museum was closed, I did manage to photograph a large metal lobster and some flowers near the Museum.
On
the way back to the hotel, I couldn’t help but take a picture of the
Passagassawakeag River sign. There was something about the river’s name that
reminded me of someone I know, but I can’t remember who!
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