Re: Fort Larrabee
-
In reply to:
Fort Larrabee
9/23/01
Fort Larrabee, better known locally as the Larrabee Garrison, is located in Kennebunk on the banks of the Mousam River. The fort no longer exists. All that is left to indicate the location is a 6 foot monument placed on the spot of the garrison in 1908 by Historian William Barry. This monument is on private property however and is located off Sea Road and Ocean View Terrace, along an old railroad bed known as the "Bridal Path".
It is aproximately .5 miles from the Kennebunk Sea Road School. If ever in town or if you need more info, just email me.
Here is a description which was written in 1875 by local historian Edward E. Bourne:
THE LARRABEE GARRISON_
“There were men at this time of sound discretion and unflinching courage, who were always on the lookout. Among these was Sergeant Stephen Larrabee, son of William; he had been bred to danger and could look at it calmly in the face when necessary.He saw the necessity of preparing for raids [by Indians], and endeavoring to protect the few men who were pioneers with him in the wilderness of Kennebunk; and also providing a refuge for others to the eastward, who might be obliged to flee from their homes, and planned a great fort at his home on the Mousam River.
He built a garrison or fort, covering an acre of ground; timber was abundant and close at hand. The walls were of large, square timber about fourteen feet high. The structure was in the form of a parallelogram; it fronted southeast; or down the river. On the four corners were four flankers; so projecting that a person within might have view of any operations without, on the side and on one end of the fort; they were angular in shape; with a kind of port-hole in the angle, but not sufficiently large for a person to enter. There was also, on the lower side a large flanker, in the style and fashion of a portico, though built, as were the others six feet from the ground; so that one could pass directly beneath it. There were three gates, one at each end and one on the side of the fort flanker. Within the walls were five houses; that of Stephen Larrabee was very wide and one story and stood in the center of the fort; in the north corner was the house of Edward Evans; in the eastern, that of Ebebezar Bayridge. The other two, one being occupied by Nathan Morrison and the soldiers [who} were stationed there under his command; and also by such persons as found refuge here from the neighborhood, on the occasion of an alarm or whenever it was known that the Indians were in the vicinity. All the houses were of one story, having , as they were called in those days, block windows that is, merely square holes, to let in the air and light, which might be blocked up in a moment of protect the inmates from outward danger.
It was not built for show, but for protection. It was the largest building which has ever stood on in Kennebunk [up to 1875]; and was an honor to its noble projector, whose memory should be cherishes not only by his descendants, but all who can duly appreciate true patriotism, and a sincere and sound benevolence.In this garrison, or within these bulwarks, including the houses outside, which was made an appendage, and from which there was direct access to the garrison, were frequently gathered all the inhabitants of Kennebunk, together with other persons (sometimes over two hundred), driven there by theexigencies of war"
Kennebunk Town Historian
Kathy Ostrander Roberts