Ruins to Explore in NH (Salem, Portsmouth: houses, camp, military)

[BF66389]

I was wondering if anyone knows of any ruins to explore in NH- such as old military installations that have been turned into parks/public land that still have some relics in a state of decay...

Obviously I'm only looking for legally accessible places, or somewhere with a known owner who is contactable for permission.

[NH2008]

There is an old fort on New Castle, an island off Portsmouth. I haven't walked around it but realtors drove me all around when I was looking at houses there. Don't know if it's in a state of decay, but it's a beautiful spot.

The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation

[wharf]

Just up the road from Portsmouth, in Kittery Point in Maine is this Fort McClary Homepage
I haven't been there in years, but I always enjoyed it. Pretty area to drive through.

[Don Corleone]

It definitely qualifies as a "ruin" of sorts, but it's older than say an abandoned military base. Even if it is a hoax, as has been suggested by quite a few folks, America's Stonehenge in North Salem is really cool and worth an afternoon hike. Warning to those intolerant of alternate belief systems: They do have a pagan group that's associated with the site and worships out there. Not my cup of tea, but doesn't bother me. If it bothers you, you probably shouldnt' visit.

[BF66389]

Thanks! These all sound pretty good and are exactly what I'm looking for.

As for America's Stonehenge- hoax or not I was still planning on checking it out eventually (as for different beliefs- to each their own).

I seem to recall hearing about a fort somewhere up north (not on the coast) that had something to do with the cold war; but can't seem to find it again...maybe it was in ME or VT.

[WannaComeHome]

I've been to "America's Stonehenge" a couple of times. I much prefer the original name "Mystery Hill"! It's a lovely afternoon when the snow clears away. It's out in the woods (the site is in Salem). A Rev Pattee owned it at one time and moved a few things, his wife planted some lilac bushes, and he built a house (the foundation is still there), but the main thing is that they have no idea who created the original village site! There are man-made rock caves and foundations, a religious center and a ring of stones around the perimeter. You can see evidence of the stone drilling & gouging that was done, very impressive. My main beef is that for some bizarre reason, they seem to feel that large stones in the perimeter (which is where the Stonehenge aspect comes into play) line up with either moonrise/set or sunrise/set according to the 8 Celtic holidays. Now why on earth would a group of stoneage people over here, be following Celtic holidays??? makes no sense. Personally, if you look for it, you can find coincidences to lots of things (especially when you've got that many settings and risings to choose from). I've seen some of the stone markers - some do seem to be obviously marking something, others I think it's a bit of a stretch.

But the village itself is pretty amazing, and the woods is so peaceful! I don't think it's open until spring, though. I expect not until enough of the snow is gone.

[Verseau]

There are some ruins (mostly stone foundations) of the old Hill village, before it was relocated to its present day position away from the flood plain it used to sit on. Not terribly interesting, but atmospheric. Here's a site about it.

[Annabelle]

Ordione Point is a great location as well.
Odiorne Point State Park - Rye, NH

[nhrocky]

Madame Sherri's in West Chesterfield is our local "ruin"



Madame Sherri's Castle

[Asta]

There's Camp Stark, an old WWII German POW camp. Unfortunately, nothing much remains of it any more, but you can still walk around the grounds.
Exeter News-Letter Local News: POW camp in New Hampshire