ULOG #15 - A Fort, A Storm and An Unexpected Encounter
Photo Shoot At Odiorne State Park, New Hampshire
I've been trying to get back here for a week or so. The weather or excuses keep getting in the way. Even though it was hot and muggy and the forecast called for afternoon storms, yesterday I was determined to get here.
This place has lots of history and lots of ghosts. The first settlement in the state was here. A hotel, summer homes and a World War II fort have all come and gone. The exciting thing is that there has not been an attempt any restoration. Things are for the most part left alone by human intervention and left for nature to take its course. The sea and forest are gradually reclaiming their own.
The miles of trails here are unmarked but well maintained. Hiking though the forest brings you upon a treasure trove of exciting finds. To determine their purpose is only limited by your imagination.
Odiorne is located on the south side of Portsmouth Harbor which is actually two harbors. There's the main harbor which can handle large ocean going vessels and a smaller harbor known as Little Harbor. The main harbor is home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. the shipyard begin constructing sailing warships in the early 1800's and later in the 1900's up until 1969 manufactured US submarines. During World War II over 70 subs were built there. During the war, because of its strategic importance, gun batteries were constructed along the coast to protect the harbor. Fort Dearborn was established at Odiorne for that purpose.
My goal for this photo shoot was to capture what I ever I could find of the remains of the old Fort Dearborn. The fort was built about 75 years ago during World War II and abandoned in the late 1950's. Last week, I was able to wonder upon on of the gun casemates. So that led me to do some research. From what I found out the were 3 gun batteries at the fort. There was a set of four 155 mm guns located near the shore line, Battery 204 - two 6 inch guns, and Battery Seaman - two 16 inch guns. The guns a long gone but the concrete mounts and bunkers remain. Except for one there is no signage or identification at any of the sites.
Fort Dearborn
The 155 mm gun mounts
There were four of these guns. Now only three of the mounts remain visible.
This one is the most complete
This one is partially visible.
This one is being reclaimed by the ocean.
I'm thinking that the fourth one is under here.
Battery 204
This is the only signage. There were two 6 inch guns here.
One of the gun mounts
Entrance to the bunker
From Battery 204, I headed off to find Battery Seaman.
Battery Seaman
There were two 16 inch guns here.
The trail
Gun #1
Approaching the battery, Gun #1 casemate becomes visible through the trees.
The front of the #1 Gun casemate
Some of the graffiti inside Gun #1. Did @traciyork have something to do with this?
The rear of #1 Gun casemate.
From Gun #1 I headed over to find Gun #2
Gun #2
Gun #2 appears through the trees
The front of Gun #2 casemate
Looking inside Gun #2
The storage room is blocked off
The back of Gun #2
The view from Gun #2
Looking back at Gun #2
The weather was still good so I took a long loop back to my car.
The stone fences - relics of past residents
There are stone fences located along the trails and in the woods. Many probably marked property boundaries of past residents. Here are a few there were plenty more.
Frost Point
An area of the park is know as Frost Point. In the early 1800's a hotel was located here with later burnt down.
Views from Frost Point
Looking across the harbor to Fort Stark
Frost Point jetty with Fort Stark in the background.
Another view of the jetty
Whaleback Lighthouse
This may be a remnant of the Frost Point Hotel
The Frost Point road
My Unexpected Encounter
On the way back to my car, I felt a presence along side of the trail. I turned and spotted this guy about 6 feet away from me. He seemed aware of me but was unfazed and continued grazing. I was happy to have my camera with me and snapped away until he wandered off.
And then the storm started rolling in
Right after my encounter with the young buck, I heard thunder near by. I took a few photos before driving off
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Enjoy!
Roger
Hey @rwedegis
Great post and a comprehensive view of the site with some quality pictures. There is a lot of history and it's a little sad that it's over grown but at the same time cool that it has been left untouched.
The shots of the Deer were really cool and I thought the weather looked too good for Portsmouth, cue the storm!!
Gaz
Thank you Gaz! It was pretty hot until the storm passed through. There is another fort just across the little harbor that they do maintain, I'd like to get over there and take some photos.
Cool. I'll look out for that.
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Thank you!
So much AWESOMESAUCENESS! Amazing captures of the storm, and that deer? I can't even.... wicked cool, Roger!
Thank you Traci! That deer was amazing and to think I even had my camera with me!
Exactly! What are the odds? LOL!