Fort Kent (fort) facts for kids
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Fort Kent
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Fort Kent, Maine |
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| Built | 1839 |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000005 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The Fort Kent State Historic Site is a special park in Fort Kent, Maine. It sits where the Fish River meets the Saint John River. This site is home to Fort Kent, which is the only American fort still standing from a time when there were big arguments about the border with New Brunswick, Canada. This period was called the Aroostook War.
Today, you can visit the fort's original log blockhouse during the summer. This historic fort was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1973, showing how important it is to history.
Contents
What Fort Kent Looks Like
Fort Kent is built on a small hill. It looks over the Saint John River. This river forms part of the border between Canada and the United States. Before 1842, both the U.S. and the United Kingdom (which controlled New Brunswick) claimed this land.
The main part of Fort Kent that remains is a two-story blockhouse. It is about 23 feet 5 inches (7.14 m) square. The blockhouse is made from strong, hand-cut cedar logs. Its second floor hangs out over the first floor. The roof is shaped like a pyramid. Each side of the roof has a small window sticking out.
The main door faces west. Around the first floor, there are many small openings called rifle ports. These were for soldiers to shoot from. The second floor also has many rifle ports. There are also two larger openings on the first floor for cannons. Inside, the fort has been changed a bit to add heating and plumbing. It also has displays for visitors to learn from.
Fort Kent's Story
The border between Maine and New Brunswick caused many arguments after the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Even after the Jay Treaty in 1797, the area around the upper Saint John River was still disputed. Both Maine and New Brunswick tried to develop the land. This made tensions grow in the 1820s. Officials from each side sometimes acted against settlers or agents from the other side.
Building the Fort and the Aroostook War
Construction of Fort Kent began in 1838. It was named after Governor Edward Kent. This was when the border arguments were at their worst. Fort Kent was one of several forts built by Maine along the Saint John River. It is the only one that still stands today. (The blockhouse at Fort Fairfield was rebuilt in the 1900s.)
In 1839, a U.S. government agent was arrested in New Brunswick. This made the U.S. Congress allow 50,000 federal troops to go to northern Maine. At this time, Fort Kent was made bigger. It added barracks for soldiers and other buildings.
General Winfield Scott was sent to the area. He had the power to work out a solution. General Scott and New Brunswick's Lieutenant Governor John Harvey were old friends. Their friendship helped them calm things down. This led to the Webster–Ashburton Treaty in 1842. This treaty finally set the border between the U.S. and Canada.
After the Border Dispute
United States troops stayed at Fort Kent until 1845. After the border crisis was over, the fort was sold to private owners. In 1891, the state of Maine bought the property. They wanted to create a park there.
The state did not do much work on the site until 1959. That's when the historic site was officially opened. Today, the Fort Kent Historical Society helps take care of the museum.
