If you've driven through Portland, or spent any time near the Eastern Prom, you're probably familiar with the hulking structure of wood and metal that sits beside the B&M Bean Factory. The swing bridge sitting in the Back Cove, with its train tracks to nowhere raises lots of questions. What was it used for? And why was it left in its current (and permanent) open position? We thought maybe others had these same questions, so we did a bit of research and found the most incredible aerial video!
In the late 1840s, the Atlantic and St. Lawrence railroad started service connecting Yarmouth to nearby Portland. The rail swing bridge and trestle was built to cross over the Portland peninsula and open, allowing for tall ships to enter safely into the Back Cove.
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For over 100 years, the bridge did its job - allowing for fluid movement of ships through the area. The existence of the tracks here became even more necessary when the Atlantic and St. Lawrence train expanded to connect Portland with Montreal. Later, the Grand Trunk Railway found it useful.
Sadly, in 1984, the bridge fell victim to arson and was greatly damaged. In fact, the damage was so significant that the Grand Truck railroad felt it wasn't worth investing in repairs. This was a result of the high cost, but also a result of the change in usage. Passenger service ceased in the 1960s and with the popularity of trucking services, freight services using the tracks had significantly decreased.
The bridge was left in the open position and for a long time the Atlantic and St. Lawrence line ended at the nearby B&M Bean Factory. In October 2015, the railroad ceased operation to the factory, which was its only customer in the area. Now, they must rely on truck deliveries.
If you've ridden the Narrow Gauge Railway along the Eastern Prom, you've lived a small part of the history of this bridge. The Narrow Gauge currently operates on the old tracks that led to it.
While the bridge is no longer necessary for rail access, it feels so necessary as a permanent part of Portland. Its decaying wood and abandoned rails offer a certain sense of history that makes the area feel just a little more authentic. If you haven't seen it, check out this gorgeous video footage shot by drone. It might make you imagine all the goods that traveled through it once upon a time.
The Tallest Observatory Bridge In The World, Penobscot Narrows Bridge And Observatory In Maine Was A True Feat Of Engineering
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory in Maine is the longest bridge in the state and the tallest observatory bridge in the world, offering stunning views and historical significance.
Traveling on Route 3 will take you to some incredible places and amazing views, but the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is one of the best sights to see. It is the longest bridge in Maine, and it is also the tallest observatory bridge in the world! However, this bridge is fairly new, and depending on when you last visited, you might remember the old one as well. Let's travel through the history of what makes the Penobscot Narrows Bridge And Observatory so great.
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The original bridge, Waldo-Hancock was a large suspension bridge and the first bridge to span over the Penobscot River.
The Waldo-Hancock bridge was built in 1931 and was used all the way till 2006. This bridge had its own beauty to behold and was enjoyed for many years. After many routine inspections, however, it became clear that the cables were corroded and would no longer be able to support the bridge. Does anyone else remember this bridge? I know I do.
The new project for the Penobscot Narrows Bridge And Observatory began and was finished in 2006.
In 2013 the Waldo-Hancock bridge was demolished. So for eight years, while traveling on Route 3, you would drive across the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and see the Waldo-Hancock bridge a few yards away.
One of the biggest attractions to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge is the observatory.
Sitting at 420 feet tall, it's the largest observation bridge in the world! Looking out over the top, you will get great views of the river, Fort Knox, and the surrounding coast.
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While driving from the south on Route 3, make sure to keep a lookout for a beautiful view of this looming structure.
Make sure to bring a flashlight because it will get really dark when you explore the interworkings of the fort. This awesome view is accessible from the fort.
With such a high bridge it can be quite a thrill to drive from one end to the other.
Looking up at the long cables can almost make you dizzy as you drive and really puts into perspective this massive structure. The Penobscot River is beautiful and worth taking in while driving across. Just looking up at that tower keep in mind what you are looking at is the largest observation bridge in the world!
Whether you decide to just drive across or take the elevator to the top, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge And Observatory is an amazing find in the Pine Tree State. What do you think of the longest bridge in Maine? Have you ever been up to the observation tower? Make sure to buy your tickets to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory Tower, Fort Knox, or both, and enjoy this wonderful site. While you are in the area try something completely new: Take a hike with a large pack of German shepherds.
Do you love these types of landmarks? We've got even more bridges in Maine for you so make sure you check them out too.
Part of life is moving on, and Maine's history is rife with this sort of transition. People settle, then leave. Homes built and left behind. Moments lived and memories created. These abandoned places in Maine prove that better than anything. Some are eerily beautiful, some are downright spooky. Take a look at this list and plan a trip to see them before nature completes the process.
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1. These two rusting hulks of steel and shattered dreams were used to transport lumber through the remote North Woods...
...but now they sit silently as a reminder of an era past. Find them near the northwest end of Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway State Park.
This cool sight is something you have to see to believe and luckily Thiel Tube went ahead for you and made this fabulous video:
2. A Civil War-era monument of crumbling granite and wild brush, Fort Gorges stands sentinel in the Casco Bay, guarding the entrance to Portland Harbor.
A nightmare of jagged angles, it’s a wonder this wooden structure is still standing. Or has it been demolished?
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4. Riddled with graffiti rather than bulletholes, these days Battery Steele on Peaks Island is more avante garde art space than WWII artillery installment.
But that doesn’t make it any less creepy. Take the ferry over to explore its dark and cavernous rooms and wildly overgrown roof, and don’t miss the beautifully weird Sacred and Profane festival that takes place annually on the Saturday after the October harvest moon.
5. Abandoned barns are a dime a dozen here in Maine. You can’t drive a few miles down a country road without seeing some dilapidated, weatherbeaten structure slumping into itself.
This West Gardiner barn is short a wall, but the silo is still (barely) standing strong. But if you search for "abandoned places near me," chances are there's a dilapidated barn not too far away.
6. Maine’s geography makes it the first stop on the world destruction tour if one of our frenemies across the pond decided to attack us.
Fears ran especially high during the Cold War, which made the decision to build the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone a very strategic one. Today, the hangers echo with only the sounds of nesting birds, and the nuclear storage vaults hold only the shadows of secrets.
Of the nine crew members, only the pilot and navigator survived. Elephant Mountain, near Moosehead Lake about six miles from Greenville, is the final resting place of its shredded fuselage. A half-mile hike will get you to the wreckage, where a stone memorial commemorates the seven fallen soldiers.
8. Following its transfer from military to state use in 1901, the nearly 200-year-old Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta became a facility to house the mentally ill.
One look at the imposing granite structure and you can almost hear the cries of the tortured souls who called this place home. It's definitely earned its place among the creepiest abandoned houses in Maine. It closed its doors for good in 2004 but has recently been slated for redevelopment.
We found some stunning photos of this eerie place, we do not suggest you go here since it is being monitored and trespassing is prohibited but we do have a creepy video for you to see what it was like not too long ago:
9. A remnant of Maine’s lumbering heritage, the old Moulton’s Mill in Newfield was originally built in 1790 and was in operation until the later part of the 20th century.
Like many of Maine’s mills, the saws have long gone silent, and the trees have started to take their revenge. It's a cool experience to visit this abandoned place in Maine and see how nature truly does retake things!
...but years of neglect have given it a serious Stephen King vibe. If you like visiting abandoned houses in Maine, you've got to put this one on your list. It's definitely one of the most beautiful abandoned houses in Maine.
We've just scratched the surface here of abandoned places in Maine. Share some of your own local places that nature is out to reclaim as well as any abandoned towns in Maine that are worth visiting.
Plan on hitting the road to see any of these abandoned places in Maine? Take a look at our road trip essentials packing list before your trip!
