Name/Title
"The Rim" and Site of Fort Foster | East Machias, MaineDescription
From "The Rim" and Site of Fort Foster National Register Nomination Form:
The Rim is a narrow neck of land between the lower reaches of the East Machias River on the north and the Machias River on the south. Ex tending in an easterly direction, its southeastern point marks the confluence of these two rivers at the uppermost end of Machias Bay.
Recognizing its strategic value, the early settlers along each river united in erecting a system of earthen breastworks close to the edge of the southern shore on high land well above the tidal range. These breast works do not extend the entire length of the shore; beginning about half way from the eastern tip and continuing to a shallow tidal inlet near the western end’. Beyond this there are other traces.
Except fof the south easterly end where Mr. Geel has blueberries a new growth of hardwoods, spruce and fir (twenty year stock) and a tangle of alders, blackberry vines and brush is creeping over the land again - all of which would readily fall before an attack by axes, bush scythes on and chain saws.
Time and nature have taken their toll: Some intervals are only waist high arid others at shoulder height. On the whole, they are in remarkably good condition. Underbrush, though hampering visibility on each side, has found little foothold on their gently sloping surfaces.
An elderly man, living nearby, has spoken of ri road leading from the "Fortifications" to the town road and signs of a flanking wall from the eastern end seen during his boyhood.
Although the time presents a problem, the view from this area is spectacular, Machiasport down the Bay, the new bridge up the Machias River and Money Island (of pirate fame) in the East Machias River with high, rocky hills on the opposite shores combine a unique setting in scenery.