Hiking in Maine is never scary. Not when Vacationland is the beauty that it is! But, every now and again you'll be on a trail on the kind of cloudy day that makes your mind wander a little too much. Add a spooky abandoned castle to the mix and you have yourself the kind of hike that feels a little more adventurous than others. This actual trail might not be scary, but catch it on the right day and you might feels chills running up and down your spine.
Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth is a wonderful place to visit just about any time of year. Between the views, the history of the fort and the lighthouse, it’s a one-stop shop for those looking for a full day trip.
But, there’s something else hidden here that’s known among local but a bit lesser known among those who only come to visit Maine for a few days.
The deserted castle mansion of John Goddard can be accessed via a short walk along the coast.
Goddard was a local businessman and volunteer army colonel in the Civil War in 1861. His mansion was stately and it still stands. Sort of.
About 50 years later in the early 1900s, the army took the castle and used it as living quarters for non-commissioned officers. It later became a club for these officers and sergeants.
Eventually, it was abandoned and it sat untouched for some time. By the 1990s it had deteriorated so much that it was clear nothing could bring it back to life. At this point, a controlled fire was executed to gut it making it structurally safer.
Today it is fenced off so you won't be able to go inside, but the stonework still shows the detail and craftsmanship that was original to the structure.
If you use your imagination, it’s both fun and spooky to look inside the mansion and imagine fires roaring in the still-visible fireplaces.
To access it, start at the lighthouse and take the trail headed North. The trail is easy to navigate and the crushed stone on the path make it comfortable on the feet. You’ll follow the breathtaking cliffs, passing the remnants of historic Fort Williams.
The trail leads to the other side of the park, passing the lighthouse while also providing an opportunity to see across Casco Bay.
The mansion can be found at the end of the cliff walk, by continuing past the Ship Cove beach area after the Battery Hobart.
Fort Williams Park is free to visit and is open all year from sunrise to sunset. You can bring dogs, but they’re required to be on a leash except in specific "off-leash" sanctioned areas. For directions, click here and enter your own starting point. You can reach the Community Services office for the park by calling: 207-700-2868.
If you like the idea of this trail, you'll likely to love this hike. It's easy and leads directly to the site of a B-52 crash near Greenville.
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