Castine

From Fort George and Fort Madison to Battleground of Four Nations, Castine documents the history of this bucolic Maine village.
Castine is a delightfully tranquil village located on a peninsula bounded by the Bagaduce River on one side and Penobscot Bay on the other. It makes a powerful impression upon all who visit: indeed the very name Castine conjures up images of verdant landscapes, of sea-washed shores, and of life in a serene Maine village; images so magical that they become ingrained in one's memory. Castine is a charming, peaceful place, but it has not always been so. Visited as early as 1604 by European explorers and traders, Castine has since been known as the Battleground of Four Nations because French, Dutch, English, and American soldiers have fought for control of this strategically important place over the years. The remains of two forts - Fort George and Fort Madison - stand testimony to the part that Castine played in America's formative wars.

Documents from that era are few and far between, but the development of photography in the mid-nineteenth century permitted amateurs and professionals to record life in a way that future generations will be forever grateful for, as photographs bring history alive in such a uniquely accessible way. To create Castine, members of The Castine Historical Society have selected outstanding photographs from a range of local archives to bring to life the history of Castine and neighboring Brooksville and Penobscot from the 1850s to the 1940s. From the fishermen working the waters to life in the Federal houses that line Castine's streets; from the time-honored traditions of learning at Eastern State Normal School (which later became Maine Maritime Academy) to the frivolity of the summer folk arriving aboard the steamers, this delightful book takes us on a riveting journey into Castine's rich history that will delight resident and visitor alike.