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KITTERY is one of the most frequented and well-known places in Maine. Just over the Piscataqua River Bridge from New Hampshire and the first town you encounter, it is referred to as the "Gateway to Maine". Settled in 1623, Maine's oldest incorporated town is famous for ship building. In the 1800's, the Navy Yard in Kittery was its biggest attraction. The 74-gun ship, Washington, was launched from the Navy Yard in 1815. The USS Kearsarge, the ship famous for sinking the Confederate raider, Alabama, was launched from this yard during the Civil War. History was made here in 1905 when the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed at the Kittery Navy Yard's naval administration building thus ending the Russo-Japanese War. Kittery's historic roots spread farther than just the Navy Yard. Kittery is home to some of the oldest houses in Maine. From Garrisons to Capes, all the typical colonial architecture of early America can be found here. A very fine example of Palladian-style architecture interpreted in Early America can be seen if you visit the Lady Pepperell House in Kittery Point.
Kittery also offers some beautiful seashore vistas and beaches. Fort Foster, located on Gerrish Island in Kittery Point, offers three small, sandy beaches, an extensive trail system, designated areas for scuba diving, windsurfing and kayaking, restroom facilities in season, picnic areas and old military fortifications to explore. The park features an excellent view of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, including Whaleback Light, Portsmouth Harbor Light and Fort Constitution. Seapoint Beach and Crescent Beach are divided by a spit of grassland that juts out into the Atlantic. Seapoint is "swimmable" in season but "walkable" year round. It's just right for that off season or off-hour summer stroll with your four-legged friends. The rocky Crescent Beach is the "local" beach. It is a rocky area with little area at hight tide, not comparable to the sandy public beaches at Ogunquit, Hampton and Rye. Many walkers from the region visit only in the evenings, very early mornings and off-season since there are very few parking spaces. A great spot for bikers in the summer, it is a great mid-stopping spot on a winding trip through Kittery Point and past Gerrish island.
More recently, Kittery has become famous for its more than 120 fine, Route One factory outlet stores. Called "America's Maine Street" for shopping, the Kittery Outlets offer over one mile of famous name outlet stores. Conveniently located together along Route One, Kittery is an outlet shopper's paradise.
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