Castine Maine
Castine, a small coastal village of approximately 7.9 square miles, is located on a peninsula in the East Penobscot Bay Region of Maine, 1 hour from Bangor, and 1.25 hours from Camden and from Bar Harbor. The town, on the National Register of Historic Places, consists of two distinct geographic areas referred to as the Village and "off neck," a narrow strip of land that separates the Bagaduce River on one side from the Penobscot River on the other.
Castine, Maine is one of the oldest communities in North America. It has been
occupied continuously since the early 1600s as the site of numerous trading
posts, forts, missions and permanent settlements of France, Holland, England and
colonial America. Before 1613, and during the course of its long history,
Castine has also been home to several nations of Native Americans.
Fort
Madison Park - enjoy a picnic in this historic park.
Our Lady of Holy Hope church
on Perkins Street overlooking the harbor.
In 1867, the Eastern State Normal School opened its doors at The Abbott School
on the Town Common. In 1873 it moved into two large brick buildings in town
where it continued to function until 1942. Since then, the Maine Maritime
Academy has occupied these buildings. In the meantime, The Abbott School was
used as the Castine High School until 1961, when declining population forced its
closing.
In 1994, the Castine Historical Society purchased The Abbott School.
This handsome, three-story building of classic, Italianate design has been
completely restored and now serves as the headquarters of the Castine Historical
Society.
More than 100 historic markers can be found in this town characterized by its
18th century architecture. Major landmarks include Fort George, built by the
British in 1779 and partially restored as a state memorial, and Fort Madison
(shown above),
earthwork remnants built by the Americans in 1811, occupied by the British
during the War of 1812 and reconstructed during the American Civil War.
The Pentagoet Inn is a charming, Queen Anne Victorian, nestled on a seaside
bluff overlooking the village and harbor of Castine. Built in1894 the Inn is
Castine's oldest, original "summer hotel" still welcoming guests of Penobscot
Bay.
This whimsical bed and breakfast has a prominent three story turret, gables and a delightful wraparound porch lined with lush window boxes, wicker rockers and porch swings, flowers are for sale by the honor box.
The porch is a favorite of photographers and artists and a great spot to read the morning paper or join us for an intimate dinner.
The year-round population is roughly 1,300 including 700 college students
attending Maine Maritime Academy.
With summer residents, and visitors by land and sea, the population at least doubles from Memorial Day to Labor Day.