Got $4.85 Million? Buy your own fortified island

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Got $4.85 Million? Buy your own fortified island (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/19/2013 12:57:26 PM EDT

Isle for sale, 19th century fort included
Harold Cushing calls his fortified island in the Gulf of Maine, 'a little kingdom.' For $4.85 million, the keys to the kingdom are yours.

CNN Video

House Island

Fort Scammell
Fort Scammel (2012)Henry A. S. Dearborn built Fort Scammell on the island in 1808 as part of the national second system of fortifications. It was named after Alexander Scammell, Adjutant general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, who was killed in action during the Battle of Yorktown. The fort was designed for harbor defense, with cannon batteries designed to protect the main shipping channel into Portland harbor, along with Fort Preble. In the 1840s–1870s, as part of the national third system of fortifications, Fort Scammell was modernized. Thomas Lincoln Casey, known for his work on the Washington Monument rebuilt the fort in 1862 at the time of the American Civil War. Of all the forts in Casco Bay, Fort Scammell was the only fort to fire a shot and be fired upon in battle, in early August, 1813.

Posted: 6/19/2013 12:59:26 PM EDT

[#1]

I'll take it.

Posted: 6/19/2013 12:59:29 PM EDT

[#2]

I guess it would make a nice summer home. I'll head up there and buy it this weekend. 4.85 million is just the spending cash I keep on me.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:00:37 PM EDT

[#3]

I know some prepper has a boner right now.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:01:14 PM EDT

[#4]

Independent renewable fresh water supply?

My guess it is covered in ice and snow 8 months per year?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:01:34 PM EDT

[#5]

The ultimate BOL.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:03:34 PM EDT

[#6]

Awesome. Probably COOOOOOOOOOLD in winter, though, and the moss suggests dampness.

It reminds me of Fort Warren out in Boston Harbor. Insanely huge granite fortress that was a Civil War prison, then a gun emplacement and mine control in both world wars.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:03:44 PM EDT

[#7]

Honestly, what's the catch?

In Miami, that would be 45 million.

Are we sure it's not a decimal point issue?

Seriously, that's chump change for the square footage and the historical value is a bonus.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:04:34 PM EDT

[#8]

I would totally buy that.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:04:42 PM EDT

[#9]

Always wondered why the price on these kinds of places was so low. Confusing laws (eg: international)? Not insurable? Place like that probably has historical crap to deal with too...

$5m seems like a bargain for an island like that to me... considering my wife's house shows where city folks blow $2.5M on a 2200 sq ft townhouse.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:05:03 PM EDT

[#10]

4.85 million doesn't seem like all that much for that.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:06:39 PM EDT

[#11]

Nice, but not in my budget this year

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:07:27 PM EDT

[#12]

Awful close to Portland. I guess if you could afford the island you can afford some cans. I wonder what treasures (or scrap) have been left behind like the old fire engine in the video.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:07:49 PM EDT

[#13]

Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:07:53 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
4.85 million doesn't seem like all that much for that.

Much of it is likely falling apart and it is in New England...................COLD AS HELL most of the year and no road to the mainland, nor could you build one feasibly for practical costs.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:09:42 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Hardly. They served their purpose to match the technology of the time they were built.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:10:26 PM EDT

[#16]

I would love to have that!

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:10:52 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Quoted:
4.85 million doesn't seem like all that much for that.

Much of it is likely falling apart and it is in New England...................COLD AS HELL most of the year and no road to the mainland, nor could you build one feasibly for practical costs.

Granite fortresses in New England are pretty sturdy. Granite doesn't exactly crumble.

Cold, though, yes. When those winds come in over the water, the accounts of Fort Warren include that they had the cannon heaters glowing cherry red, but they still barely took the chill out of the room.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:11:32 PM EDT

[#18]

What're the taxes?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:12:04 PM EDT

[#19]

Inside has that "MC Escher up in dis bitch" look to it.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:12:27 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Hardly. They served their purpose to match the technology of the time they were built.

Arty and air assets would make it an elaborate mausoleum, I believe is the point he was making.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:13:36 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Independent renewable fresh water supply?

My guess it is covered in ice and snow 8 months per year?

Casco bay doesn't freeze over. If anything being that close to a large body of water means the shoreline is warmer.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:13:40 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

What're the taxes?

Maine if I read correctly.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:16:00 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Independent renewable fresh water supply?

My guess it is covered in ice and snow 8 months per year?

Casco bay doesn't freeze over. If anything being that close to a large body of water means the shoreline is warmer.

Heh. It might not freeze, but the windchill of New England harbor winds in winter are brutal. Step out on the deck of a boat in anything less than a peacoat and watch cap, and you'll very quickly understand just why those articles of clothing were invented. So cold your ears HURT almost instantly.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:17:40 PM EDT

[#24]

That is well within the range of a "pool resources and buy" option.

Figure 50 people would be, what? Less than 100,000 each?

Even if half of you were there at the same time, there's still plenty of room.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:18:27 PM EDT

[#25]

Maintenance is probably a bitch there, always is living next to the water or on it.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:19:18 PM EDT

[#26]

A place to store all that ammo you've been stockpiling. The great magazine:

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:20:30 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
That is well within the range of a "pool resources and buy" option.

Figure 50 people would be, what? Less than 100,000 each?

Even if half of you were there at the same time, there's still plenty of room.

ARFCOM group buy?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:21:23 PM EDT

[#28]

You'd need to budget for a bunch of fixed naval mines to keep out the non-hot soccer mom riff raff seeking refuge in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:22:22 PM EDT

[#29]

Roosevelt Roads is more ARFCOM user ready.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:23:06 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Roosevelt Roads is more ARFCOM user ready.

A little heavy on UXB isn't it?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:24:23 PM EDT

[#31]

nice

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:26:37 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
You'd need to budget for a bunch of fixed naval mines to keep out the non-hot soccer mom riff raff seeking refuge in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Cannons are legal.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:27:35 PM EDT

[#33]

for that price, I'll take two

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:27:56 PM EDT

[#34]

I want it.

I'm a little short on cash, though.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:28:49 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Hardly. They served their purpose to match the technology of the time they were built.

Arty and air assets would make it an elaborate mausoleum, I believe is the point he was making.

Meh, I was just quoting George Patton.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:31:36 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
You'd need to budget for a bunch of fixed naval mines to keep out the non-hot soccer mom riff raff seeking refuge in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Cannons are legal.

Mines never complain about not getting paid OT.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:32:30 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
I know some prepper has a boner right now.

Group buy for a SHTF timeshare for ARFCOM?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:33:20 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Roosevelt Roads is more ARFCOM user ready.

A little heavy on UXB isn't it?

You guys are so picky.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:34:48 PM EDT

[#39]

Need to add this to the "If I Win The Lottery" bookmarks.

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:36:53 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Hardly. They served their purpose to match the technology of the time they were built.

Arty and air assets would make it an elaborate mausoleum, I believe is the point he was making.

Meh, I was just quoting George Patton.

Did he say "meh"?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:37:44 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Quoted:
You'd need to budget for a bunch of fixed naval mines to keep out the non-hot soccer mom riff raff seeking refuge in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Cannons are legal.

Mines never complain about not getting paid OT.

True. There's just the amusing image of going retro, there.

Bunch of looters in a boat, shouting at the fort.

Heard distantly from the fort: "LOAD! ....READYYYY!...."

Looters "...?"

"FIRE!"

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:40:04 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Meh, fixed fortifications are monuments to fools.

Hardly. They served their purpose to match the technology of the time they were built.

Arty and air assets would make it an elaborate mausoleum, I believe is the point he was making.

Meh, I was just quoting George Patton.

Did he say "meh"?

"The side that stays within its fortifications is beaten."

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:41:13 PM EDT

[#43]

Arfcom's version of Sandals?

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:41:37 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
I would totally buy that.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:44:17 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I know some prepper has a boner right now.

Group buy for a SHTF timeshare for ARFCOM?

I don't know why people keep saying this:

- It's not out in the boonies, it's right by a island ferry route never mind private boating and commercial shipping.
- It' surrounded by either the populated mainland (.54 miles) or populated suburban and populated islands (.34 or.5 miles) in a virtually 360 degree view - there's no way to safely shoot rifles; pistols maybe, not rifles.
- It's probably not really livable for +6 months out of the year. Yea, you probably could, but unless you lived your whole life in ND or the North Slope, it's not realistic nor would it be fun.

Something a little further south and little further away from "civilization", then I might be interested.

See the island and surrounding congestion here: 43.652469 -70.210441

Posted: 6/19/2013 1:44:35 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Honestly, what's the catch?

In Miami, that would be 45 million.

Are we sure it's not a decimal point issue?

Seriously, that's chump change for the square footage and the historical value is a bonus.

no catch, most people who don't know better see places like these listed so low and can't believe it. but there is a reason they are hard sells, especially massive old buildings and locations. you may only pay 4.5mil up front. but upkeep, repair, utilities, and equipment costs for seriously running an island fortress like that will be well over a million a year