Sign Up  /  Login

Shackford Head State Park Letterboxes LbNA #28239

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jan 12, 2007
Location:
City:Eastport
County:Washington
State:Maine
Boxes:3
Planted by:Woodland Gnomes
Found by: chadwickcrockett
Last found:Aug 15, 2015
Status:FFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jan 12, 2007
Directions to Shackford Head State Park: From Route 1 in Perry take the Route 190 exit to Eastport. Directly opposite the Irving Station look for Deep Cove Road on your right. Take Deep Cove Road until you see the signs for the park on your left. If you plan a picnic at Shackford Head during your hunt for the letterboxes have it at Ship Point.

History: Shackford Head is named after sea Capt. John Shackford. He was a Revolutionary War soldier and was in Captain Ward's company when Benedict Arnold's army marched through Maine to Quebec. Shackford acquired the head not long after coming to Eastport and used Broad Cove as his ship's anchorage. The state purchased the Head in 1989. Shackford Head State Park is one of the smallest parks in the Maine state park system and consists of about 90 acres.

Letterbox #1: The Cony Beach Navy

Start at the U.S.S. Richmond sign at the parking area. Look for a trail leading off in a southeasterly direction at approximately 280o. This trail will lead to Cony Beach. The narrow trail will be the one on the left. Another narrow leads off to the right of the correct trail. In a short time this trail crosses a somewhat wider trail. Stay on the narrow trail. This trail will lead past two apple trees, one on each side of the trail. Cony Beach is named after Capt. Joseph S. Cony. Cony served in the navy during the Civil War and was noted for his heroism. The U.S. Navy honored Capt. Cony's memory by naming a World War II Fletcher class destroyer after him: U.S.S. CONY (DD-508). The Civil War ships described on the signs were burned on Cony Beach between 1901 and 1920. If you are here at low tide look and if your are lucky enough you may find some remains of the ships. While beachcombing look for an outcropping of ledge with a small tree growing out of it near the edge. The treasure will be located in some rubble at the base of the tree. Please make sure the letterbox is well hidden before you leave for the next letterbox.

Letterbox #2: Dancing Under the Stars

Take the Main Trail that leads from the parking area to the Shackford Head Overlook. In a short while you'll come to a trail junction. The Broad Cove Trail will lead off to your left and the Deep Cove Trail will lead off to the right. Stay on the Main Trail. When you reach the top of the rise you'll come to the junction of the Shackford Head Overlook, Ship Point, and Schooner Trails. Head to the Overlook. At the small bench sit and admire the beautiful views overlooking Broad Cove and Lubec. By 1901 Shackford Head had become a popular and fashionable resort with summer people. They came to the Head for picnics, walks, and recreation. The Head was considered the most beautiful spot on Moose Island. The Head was further enhanced by the opening of a large dance pavilion in August 1901. This pavilion could be seen by the dance pavilion on Friar's Head on Campobello Island. From the bench at approximately 8:00 o'clock, or 78 degrees on your compass, there is a slightly worn trail that leads to the remains of an old foundation. Disregard the first wall that you will see on your right after starting down the trail. Continue on and go around the large spruce tree next to the trail. The foundation wall you are looking for will be straight ahead after rounding the spruce tree. The foundation is all that remains of a planned 200 room summer hotel that was never finished. From inside the right hand wall of the foundation go 6 paces along the wall and look for a pile of rubble. The letterbox will be under the large rock near the birch tree with a V branch. You'll find your prize there. Go back to the junction of the Ship Point and Schooner Trails.

Letterbox #3: Ship Point

Take the Ship Point Trail. Please be careful as the first part of the trail can be slippery because of the rubble and fallen leaves. The large area of blasted rock that you see nearby was the result of the Army Corp. of Engineers searching for fill for the proposed 1930's Passamaquoddy Tidal Dam that also was never finished. If the dam had been built the peninsula would have been reduced to just above sea level and Shackford Head would have been called "Shackford Knoll." A model of the proposed dam is on display at a seasonal information center located on Water Street in downtown Eastport. The trail makes a loop around Ship Point. Take the left branch of the trail. You'll come to an area with several blown down trees on one side of the trail and some unusual art on the beach on the other side. Look for a large grey stone next to the trail. Facing the grey stone, the treasure will be found behind a blowdown to the left of the stone, hidden under some rubble and wood. Take some time on the Ship Point Overlook to enjoy the views of Cobscook Bay, Lubec, Campobello Island, Estes Head cargo terminal, and Treat's Island. Treat's Island was formally known as Allan's Island. The island was named after Col. John Allan of Revolutionary War fame. Col. Allan served under Gen. Washington. Col. Allan ran a store on the island for many years after his military service. Treat's Island is part of the State of Maine and is privately owned. Follow the trail back to the junction. For an enjoyable hike to your vehicle take the Schooner Trail back. This trail has several scenic overlooks of Cobscook Bay. This trail also passes near Deep Cove which was the site of a U.S.Navy seaplane base. The seaplane ramp is still used by the Washington County Community College Marine Trades school. The Schooner Trail will rejoin the Main Trail close to where your vehicle is parked.