Christmas Eve 1886 – the suite life of travel

A stunning coastline and the charm of New England drew me to Portland, Maine while on a business trip to Boston. With a few relaxing days, I would start my journey with a visit to the Portland Head Light and continue to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. Adding a stroll of downtown Portland, I would explore the charming coastal towns in search of the best roadside lobster roll in the state.

Fort Williams Park is a ten-minute, southeast drive from downtown Portland. The park offers a long list of activities to enjoy a beautiful afternoon along the coast of Cape Elizabeth. Trails lead to the ruins of Fort Williams and with 90 acres of outdoor space, it is the perfect location for a picnic of lobster rolls, a scenic bike ride or for taking your dog on a walk. The Portland Head Light was built by order of George Washington in 1791 and is closed to visitors. The nearby museum provides a great overview of the lighthouse and its history. The Goddard House, completed in 1868 is another beautiful location at the park to explore.

Strolling along the rugged coastline, a sign dating over 100 years was painted into the rock announcing, “Annie C. Maguire shipwrecked here Christmas Eve 1886”. The Annie Maguire was a large, three-masted British barque ship that run aground along the shores near Portland Head Lighthouse. With the help from the lighthouse keeper and his son, all thirteen passengers arrived safely.

The Goddard Mansion, built for lumber magnate John Goddard, was completed in 1858. Designed by architect Charles A. Alexander, the Italianate-style villa sits atop of a hill with spectacular views of Casco Bay and the lighthouse. the Goddard family lived in the two-storied manor with a basement until his death in 1870. Three years later, the Army purchased land near the lighthouse and began building Fort Williams and by 1898 they acquired an additional 75 acres to include the home, converting it into military housing. Today, only the exterior structure remains and due to potential safety issues, it is not open to the public.

Before leaving Fort Williams Park towards Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, I returned to the Portland Head Lighthouse for a few additional photos. As I watched the sailboats dropping anchor at the cape, I noticed a couple of kayakers navigating Casco Bay. It was the perfect day with gorgeous weather and calm seas, so I decided to stay a few minutes more and enjoy a Lobster Roll with this spectacular view.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Fort Williams Park, the Portland Head Lighthouse and Goddard Mansion? I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my time at Fort Williams Park and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Telephone: 207 767 3707

Admission: Free
Hours: Open daily 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset
Amenities: Picnic shelter reservation, free guided tours by resident Jim Rowe
Length of Your Tour: 2 – 3 hours to visit
Tips for Your Visit: Arrive early before the crowds and be prepared to pay for parking.

Where to Stay:

Inn at St. John Portland In-Town
939 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04102
Telephone: 800 636 9127

Where to Eat:

DiMillos
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone: 207 772 2216

What to Eat:

Seafood, especially lobster! Check out the many roadside shacks where you can choose your lobster, find a picnic table and bring your own beer and wine.

What to Read: