UXO Site selected: Fort Preble, ME |
General Area: South Portland, ME Site Type/Program: FUDS Location: Fort Preble is located in South Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. The land the fort occupied as well as many of the fort's buildings are now the campus of Southern Maine Technical College. Brief History: Fort Preble, located in South Portland, Maine, was one of many locations in the U.S. used as a coastal defense site from the early 1800s through WW II. The fort was built in 1808 on 5 acres of land purchased from Ebenezer Thrasher, as recorded in the deed records of Cumberland County on 29 February 1808. Additional acreage (approximately 24 acres), was sold to the U.S. Government by private citizens between 16 April 1833 and 2 October 1901, with 3.9 acres added in 1940. Between 1896 and 1904, the fort served as a coast artillery post. Fort Preble was fully manned through WWI, with the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment stationed at the fort being responsible for maintenance of all Portland defenses. In 1950, Fort Preble was deactivated and declared surplus. On 26 June 1951, the Army transferred 1.45 acres of land to the Department of the Air Force. On 21 July 1952, the Army transferred 28 acres of the land to the Department of the Navy. On 3 February 1953, the Army transferred 3.45 acres of land to the Department of the Air Force. With this transfer, the entire 32.9 acres had been transferred from the Army to the Air Force and the Navy. On 13 December 1957, the Navy transferred 28 acres to the State of Maine for educational purposes. On 20 March 1961, the Air Force leased 4.9 acres to the State of Maine for educational purposes. On 17 October 1961, the Air Force transferred ownership of 4.9 acres of land to the State of Maine for educational purposes. The Southern Maine Technical College has utilized the 32.9 acres since the land was acquired by the State of Maine. |
![]() |
Range / Site Description: Associated Munitions: Coastal Defense Site - No Confirmed UXO although 3", 6" and 37mm guns have been located at the installation over the years. Activities Completed: ASR - No confirmed UXO or OEW. Issues: No Issues Other Information: NA |
Reports Documents Relevant to Fort Preble, ME Available on UXOInfo.com: Click on the title to view the document from UXOInfo.com's UXO Library
|
If you have or know of any chanegs to the information posted about
or want to donate additional images or reports on
Fort Preble, ME,
please email UXOInfo.com at
information@uxoinfo.com Back To UXO Site Search Page
Back to UXO Site Inventory Search Page
UXOInfo.com Home
|