Kittery proudly holds the title of the oldest incorporated town in the state of Maine. The first European settlers established themselves on these lands around 1623, beginning the development of the territory along the Piscataqua River. Official town status was granted to the settlement in 1647. The town received its name in honor of the Kittery Court estate in the English county of Devon, the home of the family of Alexander Shapleigh, one of the prominent early settlers.
Key Factors of Development
The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional center was driven by several strategic factors:
Geographical Location: Its position at the mouth of the deep-water Piscataqua River, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, created ideal conditions for navigation and ship protection.
Natural Resources: The surrounding dense forests provided unlimited access to the timber needed for construction and export.
Trade Potential: The convenient harbor facilitated the development of maritime trade with neighboring colonies and the mother country.
Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics
Since its founding, Kittery's economy and culture have been inextricably linked to the sea. The life of early settlers was built around the following industries:
Shipbuilding: Thanks to the availability of high-quality timber and convenient shipyards, the town quickly became a center for ship construction. It was here that the traditions began which later led to the creation of the first US federal naval shipyard (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard).
Fishing: Coastal waters were rich in fish, allowing for the harvesting of cod for both local consumption and sale.
Logging: An important source of income was the supply of mast timber for the English fleet.
Timeline
Timeline of Events
1623 — English colonists establish the first permanent settlement at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, marking the beginning of the town's history.
1647 — Kittery is officially incorporated, becoming the very first town in the history of the state of Maine.
1777 — The famous sloop "Ranger," under the command of John Paul Jones, is launched from the ways on Badger's Island.
1800 — The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is established on Seavey's Island within the town limits, becoming the first federal shipyard in the United States.
1844 — A large-scale reconstruction begins on Fort McClary, an important defensive point guarding the approaches to the harbor.
1905 — The Treaty of Portsmouth is signed in the General Storehouse building at the shipyard, officially ending the Russo-Japanese War.
1923 — The Memorial Bridge is opened, connecting Kittery with neighboring Portsmouth, New Hampshire, serving as a monument to World War I veterans.
1938 — Philip Adams opens a small shop, the Kittery Trading Post, which over time grows into a well-known tourist attraction.
1972 — The Kittery Point Historic District is added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, thanks to its well-preserved colonial-era architecture.
2013 — The grand opening of the new Memorial Bridge takes place, built on the site of the historic structure to improve transportation links.
Milestones
Stages of Development and Transformation
The history of Kittery is a journey from a small colonial outpost to an important economic and tourist center in New England. Here are the key milestones that defined the modern face of the town:
Industrialization through Shipbuilding (1800)
The founding of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island became the main economic driver. This event transformed Kittery from an agrarian-fishing settlement into a strategic industrial hub of federal importance, providing stable employment for the population for two centuries to come.
Entry onto the World Stage (1905)
The signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth on the shipyard's territory gave the town global historical status. This event not only highlighted the importance of the local naval complex but also left a deep mark on the cultural memory of the region, attracting historians and diplomats.
Transport Integration (1923)
The construction of the first Memorial Bridge across the Piscataqua River was an urban planning breakthrough. A reliable, permanent crossing linked Kittery with Portsmouth, New Hampshire, strengthening economic exchange and creating a unified residential and working metropolitan area across two states.
Formation of a Retail Cluster (from 1938)
The opening of the Kittery Trading Post and the subsequent development of the outlet zone along US Route 1 radically changed the town's economic profile in the second half of the 20th century. Kittery became known as the premier shopping destination at the gateway to Maine, reorienting part of the economy toward retail and tourism services.
Cultural Preservation (1970s)
The recognition of the historical value of the Kittery Point area and the inclusion of local sites (such as Fort McClary) in national registers allowed for the preservation of its unique colonial character. This decision balanced modern commercial development with a careful approach to the architectural heritage of the 17th–19th centuries.
Architecture
Architectural Landscape and Urban Development
The urban structure of Kittery is shaped by its geography and its historical role as a maritime outpost. The town did not develop in concentric circles from a single center, but rather linearly along the coastline of the Piscataqua River and the Atlantic Ocean. The historical core—the Kittery Point area—formed as a collection of estates and defensive structures, while later development (Kittery Foreside) focused on serving the naval shipyard.
Key Architectural Styles and Eras
Kittery’s architecture is a classic encyclopedia of New England building traditions, where the rugged practicality of early settlers gives way to the elegance of merchant mansions and the functionality of military sites.
New England Colonial Style (17th – early 18th century): The town's earliest buildings. These are simple, functional wooden houses, often covered in shingles or clapboard, with steep roofs to shed snow. The style reflects the era of the first settlers and their struggle for survival.
Georgian Style (mid-18th century): A symbol of the heyday of commercial Kittery. It is characterized by strict facade symmetry, decorative entrances with pilasters, and attention to detail. This style was favored by wealthy merchants and shipowners wishing to emphasize their status.
Federal Style (late 18th – early 19th century): A lighter and more graceful version of Classicism, popular during the formation of the independent United States. Buildings are distinguished by balanced proportions and often feature fanlight windows above the doors.
Military-Industrial Architecture (19th–20th centuries): A specific style associated with the development of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and coastal defenses. It includes massive granite forts, brick industrial workshops, and utilitarian barracks.
Iconic Buildings and Districts
Several key sites define the town's appearance, each serving as a monument to its era:
Lady Pepperrell House: An outstanding example of High Georgian style (1760). The white-fronted mansion with four pilasters is considered one of the most beautiful historic homes in Maine, symbolizing the wealth of the colonial aristocracy.
Fort McClary: A striking example of the evolution of military fortification. The main landmark is the hexagonal wooden blockhouse on a granite foundation (1844), representing the final phase of coastal defense development before the era of rifled artillery.
Kittery Point District: A historic area that preserves the atmosphere of the 18th century. It is dominated by low-rise wooden buildings harmoniously integrated into the coastal landscape.
First Congregational Church: A Greek Revival building (rebuilt in the 19th century), which is the oldest church parish in Maine and an important architectural landmark in the central part of the settlement.
Notable People
Notable Residents and Historical Figures
The history of Kittery is inextricably linked with the names of great navigators, founding fathers of the United States, and figures in the arts. Its geographical location and status as a seaport have attracted remarkable personalities for centuries.
Sir William Pepperrell (1696–1759) Merchant, military leader, and baronet
A native of Kittery Point who became one of the most influential figures in colonial New England. He gained fame as the commander of land forces during the successful siege of the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1745. For this feat, King George II granted him a baronetcy—the first American-born person to be so honored.
William Whipple (1730–1785) Politician and brigadier general
Born in Kittery in an ancient mansion that survives to this day. He went down in history as one of the signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence (representing neighboring New Hampshire). During the Revolutionary War, he commanded a militia brigade and participated in the decisive Battle of Saratoga.
John Paul Jones (1747–1792) Rear Admiral, "Father of the American Navy"
Though born in Scotland, his legendary career was closely intertwined with Kittery. In 1777, he lived here for several months, personally overseeing the outfitting of the sloop "Ranger," launched at a local shipyard. It was from the shores of Kittery that he set out on his famous raid, bringing glory to the young American Navy.
John Haley Bellamy (1836–1914) Woodcarver and folk artist
A famous native of the town whose name became synonymous with American decorative arts. While working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, he created unique, stylized wooden eagles. Today, "Bellamy Eagles" are highly prized museum pieces and symbols of patriotism.
William Dean Howells (1837–1920) Writer, editor, and literary critic
A prominent American realist who purchased an estate in the Kittery Point area in the early 20th century. His presence turned the town into a popular summer resort for the intellectual elite; his close friend Mark Twain was a frequent guest here.
Celia Thaxter (1835–1894) Poet and author
One of America's most beloved 19th-century poets. Although her work is mainly associated with the Isles of Shoals located nearby in the ocean, she spent a significant part of her life on the Kittery coast and is buried here. Her poems celebrated the rugged beauty of the local nature.