Odiorne Point State Park
| Odiorne Point State Park | |
| New Hampshire State Park | |
.jpg) Odiorne Point State Park
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Hampshire |
| County | Rockingham |
| Town | Rye |
| Location | Odiorne's Point |
| - elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| - coordinates | 43°02′37″N 70°42′52″W / 43.04361°N 70.71444°WCoordinates: 43°02′37″N 70°42′52″W / 43.04361°N 70.71444°W |
 Location in New Hampshire
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| Website: Odiorne Point State Park | |
Odiorne Point State Park is a New Hampshire state park located on the seacoast in Rye near Portsmouth. The location of the first European settlement in New Hampshire (commemorated by a memorial), the point got its name from the Odiorne family, who settled on the land in the mid-1660s. Among the park's features are the Seacoast Science Center and the remains of the World War II Fort Dearborn.
Near Odiorne Point is one of the Sunken Forests of New Hampshire.
The Seacoast Science Center is the primary facility in Odiorne Point State Park. It offers exhibits including aquariums and mockup whale skeletons, along with a variety of indoor and outdoor programs on marine life. Programs are offered for school groups, families, adults, children, and other groups. Environmental day camps up to 8th grade are available. The Science Center includes a marine mammal rescue center. In summer, weddings and special events at an outdoor tent can be booked.
Prior to 1942, the site of the park was private, expensive oceanfront land. In 1942, during World War II, the site was condemned and purchased by the United States government for the construction of Fort Dearborn as part of an across-the-board modernization of US coast defenses. In 1961 the site was ceded to the state of New Hampshire; the previous owners were not given the opportunity to re-purchase the land.
The fort was named for Henry Dearborn, a major-general in the Revolutionary War and later Commanding General of the United States Army and Secretary of War. The fort was part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, along with Fort Stark, Fort Constitution, and Fort Foster. In 1940-1944 the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth were garrisoned by the 22nd Coast Artillery Regiment. The first battery at Fort Dearborn was called Battery Dearborn, and consisted of four 155 mm towed guns on "Panama mounts", which were circular concrete platforms. The platforms remain today.
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Wikipedia