goddard mansion

Cape Elizabeth is the "Beverly Hills of Maine but this "mansion" is an eyesore and relic from the past in terrible disrepair (no roof, windows, floors or doors) after being destroyed by fire and subsequent decades of abandonment. It is not safe for children and it needs to be torn down... but don't let that opinion dissuade you from seeing Cape Elizabeth and historical Fort Williams! The rest of Cape Elizabeth and Fort Williams is magnificent (Portland Headlight, "the most photographed lighthouse in the world," is there), and so are both of the State parks in Cape Elizabeth (Crescent Beach and two Lights). If you can, see Cape from a boat tour out of the Portland Harbor -- many spectacular homes, lobster fisherman, sailboats and other sights to see. Everyone should be so lucky to live in Cape Elizabeth, it is beautiful!For those who commented they couldn't learn the "story", Goddard was a wealthy guy whose younger wife held many lavish parties there until some time shortly after they finsihed construction the couple went bankrupt and Mr. Goddard died. Subsequently the "Goddard Mansion" property was incorporated into the land owned by the U.S. govt as it built Fort Williams to guard the entrance to the Portland Harbor (hence the name, "Portland Headlight") during WW2. Later the property was sold to the town of Cape Elizabeth, which has maintained the spectacular grounds as a historical park.Search Fort Williams, Crescent Beach State Park and Two Lights State Park to see more of "Cape"... all three lighthouses are worth seeing, and so is the "Lobster Shack" at the end of Two lights road (open seasonally). As for food at Fort Williams? Pack a lunch unless you are not fussy!

It's so sad to see what must have been an amazing place in total ruin. Too bad it wasn't preserved but the grounds around it are beautiful and peaceful. Lovely park area down the hill with picnic tables and awesome views of the Atlantic.

Beautiful photo spot in gorgeous Fort Williams Park. Historic ruins bring you back to bygone days. Great area to walk and explore, take pictures and enjoy the beautiful views of Casco Bay.

This is a very interesting place, but they sure could use signs with a lot more information. I walked away feeling that I really didn't understand the story of this ruin.

No trip to the Greater Portland area is complete without a visit to the Goddard Mansion, Portland Head Light, and the rest of Fort Williams Park, plus the lighthouses within a few miles. I revisited with two friends who also like to stop here at least once a year. We also walked around at the lighthouse.The Goddard Mansion is located near the small beach and a few hundred yards from Portland Head Light. Colonel John Goddard (1811-1870), a wealthy lumberman from Bangor, hired Portland architect Charles Alexander to design this Italianate mansion that was completed in 1858. It was one of the first grand homes along the Cape Elizabeth shore. Its location had a spectacular view of Casco Bay and Portland Head Light just hundred yards away. The family lived here until the late 1800’s. The US Army acquired the mansion in 1898 to house its married enlisted men and their families stationed at nearby Fort Williams. A noncommissioned officer’s club was housed in its basement.The house was damaged by fire several times and part of it was destroyed in a controlled burn in 1981.A fairly steep paved walkway leads up to the mansion’s ruins which remain photogenic. On my visits, I’ve seen professional photographers taking engagement and wedding photos here. Nearby are park benches facing the mansion ruins. During our visit, we sat there and imagined what it might have been like to attend a great social function at the mansion in the 1860’s when Mr. Goddard was still alive.There is a plaque on a large rock along the walkway on the approach to the mansion.There are picnic tables down by the small beach.While most areas of Fort Williams Park are wheelchair accessible, the walkway to the mansion could pose some problems due its fairly steep incline, but it’s worth a try. This is a worthwhile stop when touring Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light. If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.

Besides enjoying the beautiful lighthouse, the military bunkers, scenic ocean views, lovely rose bushes and picnic areas there is the mysterious Goddard Mansion. This does not have enough appeal to be the main focus of a visit, but include it in your tour of the Park. It is the shell of a Maine that enjoyed it in the 1800s. All that remains is the wall shells and you do have to use your imagination as you wonder through the areas open to the public.Not much for children to get excited about but there is a bit of interesting history here. Note the wall construction and views of the bay. Lots of parking and bathroom facilities. Fort Williams is a quality visit for the entire family.

Named for Col. John Goddard of Bangor (1811-1870), a Maine timber trader, this reliably photogenic, formerly magnificent, ocean-side Italianate-style mansion in the northeastern corner of Fort Williams Park was completed in 1857. The Goddard family lived in it during the late 1800s. Only its native stone masonry walls and crumbling chimney brickworks remain. The fenced-off ruins stand on a hill overlooking Casco Bay and the nearby Portland Head Light. An onsite plaque sums up the history of the mansion and its builder. An unevenly paved path leads uphill to the ruins. Shaded picnic tables are nearby, below the hill, as is ample paved parking. Although the ruins are most photogenic at dawn, at dusk, during the peak of fall foliage, and after a winter snowfall, they’re of potential interest to Maine history buffs in any season. I explore them on almost every visit to Fort Williams Park.

This is not a tour for most kids or teens, but my sister and I loved it. Just a little imagination and you can picture what lives were lived here. Great history and artistry

Goddard Mansion is a lovely ruin set in the beautiful Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, ME. I live in Maine and have been to the mansion on several occasions and have never been bored. I am intrigued by ruins and Goddard is one of the most lovely ruins I have ever seen and a feature of the park that you shouldn't miss. Just looking at the mansion makes your mind ponder what life was like when the mansion was a family home and there was a casino on the property (no gambling, more of a social club that trolleys would take people to) and then what life was like when officers lived there when Fort Williams was an active military installation. Along with the Goddard mansion are a few buildings and bunkers from the military past and of course, the Portland Head Light which is one of Maine's oldest and most picturesque light houses. Overall, a visit to see Goddard Mansion is a must for those who love old ruins and the entire family will enjoy the park as a whole. A picture of the Goddard Mansion when it was a family home can be seen here- www.mainememory.net/artifact/25609/

I discovered the Goddard Mansion on plain curiosity when I was exploring the land of Cape Elizabeth. I had originally gone to see the lighthouse, but found there was more to be seen. While walking along the beautiful shores I took notice of a rather very large "shell" of a building which I found out to be the Goddard Mansion. I was in sheer amazement. Now, if your not one that’s interested in history, you might look at this building and think, “big deal.” However, if you find things that have happened in the past intriguing and mysterious, then you’ll love to have a gander at this place. Although they don’t allow you to actually walk inside (for some of it), I nonetheless explored every crack and crevice I could get myself into. It’s basically just the walls of what I’m sure was once a very breathtaking home, but if you posses an imagination as I do, I’m sure you’ll have no problem “picturing” this mansion as it once used to be. Conveniently located just out front is a stone monument informing you of it’s many uses. I believe I recall it reading that the mansion was once used as a home for men in the military and their families, and that the basement was used as a club of some sort. Altogether, even though I found it a bit disheartening that the mansion wasn’t preserved better, it was an interesting place to look at and read about, and I would certainly recommend history seekers to go have a look at it.NOTE: The Goddard Mansion is also surrounded by old “lookout” military forts, which are equally enticing, if not more!