Posts Categorized: Area Activities

“History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man” – Percy Bysshe Shelley Visitors to Maine’s stunning Mid-Coast area end up in Castine for a variety of reasons. From the beautiful harbor, to the inviting natural landscape, to the picturesque small town feel, to the ideal location in the heart of the Blue Hill Peninsula; Castine is a jewel of the Maine Coast in every way.  An unexpected treat that a number if our guests don’t discover until they stay is that Castine has played a more pivotal role in the history of the United States than one would ever guess. Step back in time to discover the rich history of Castine, and The Pentagoet Inn…   Early History of Castine and Establishment First established in the 1630’s by the French, who built a fort here and named it Pentagöet, the region was hotly contested amongst world powers at the time, all hoping to gain a tactical foothold on the area. Destroyed by the Dutch in 1676, 100 years before the fateful events that would create the United States, the fort lay in ruins. Today, the remnants of the fort have long since turned to dust and a Roman Catholic church now occupies its grounds. The former location of the fort marked only by an informational sign and a small plaque, its existence is now but a faint memory in history. By 1713, the land on which it once stood and the area surrounding it were annexed by the British Empire and would slowly build into a small community leading up to the Revolutionary War. By 1760 the earliest permanent resident, a man by the name of John Perkins, had settled here. Building a house, which still stands today and is located on the street named after him in town, he helped grow the community to around twenty homes by the time 1776 rolled around.   The Revolutionary War and The Penobscot Expedition Kept out of the conflict due to its remote location, British soldiers would not establish a presence there until 1779 when they built Fort George. The fort here holds a unique story and was the site of one of the colonist’s most humiliating defeats. The Penobscot Expedition was an operation so plagued by difficulties and setbacks one could even call it cursed. The US colonists could barely muster a proper attack against the relatively small and lightly defended British fort and were held back by bickering commanders who couldn’t agree on a proper plan, soldiers with incredibly poor combat training, and delays that kept piling up the more they attempted to organize the operation. In the end, the attack was an utter failure, one of the largest fleets ever assembled by the American forces was sunk in their attempted retreat with only one ship escaping, and the fort would stand until the end of the war. If you’re interested in learning more about The Penobscot Expedition, and how Paul Revere of the famous Midnight ride was involved, then the book “The Fort” by Bernard Cornwell is highly recommended reading and fleshes out more history of the Castine and Blue Hill area. Now, unlike Fort Pentagöet, much of Fort George’s foundations can still be seen today and a tour of the grounds is an experience not to be missed. All the details of this operation and more can be found at the Castine Historical Society and is a must-visit for any history enthusiast or for those that want to learn more about the area’s past.   From Failure to Success   From the end of the Revolutionary war to the beginning of the Civil war was a time of great growth and prosperity for the town of Castine. Becoming a highly profitable harbor, the sea around the town was rich with fish and it soon became their main export. Built as the Customs House, the oldest U.S. Post Office continuously in service since 1833 resides in Castine. For a time Castine was home to the second busiest customs house after New York City. Due to its advantageous location, boats could reach the harbor several days earlier saving time, resources, and even lives, on a transatlantic journey. As the harbor grew and the town’s residents enjoyed this new prosperity, many merchants settled down and led lavish lives in the now wealthy city, their legacy surviving to today in the form of streets named after the merchant families and the large, extravagant homes that line Main Street, Court Street, and Perkins Street. A walk downtown in Castine can feel like stepping back in time, a distant echo of what was once, according to one source in 1850, the second wealthiest city in the United States. A statue dedicated to the 157 men who left to serve in the Civil War was erected in 1881 to honor their memory and it can still be seen today on the town commons. Around the time of the Civil War, the area’s economy changed as fishing boats gave way to steamboats bringing in tourists or “rusticators” as they were called at the time. Coming to Castine to stay at the numerous luxury hotels and pastoral summer cottages, the tourism industry boomed and brought even more wealth to the now popular destination known throughout America.   Death and Rebirth Though to those who lived in, it might have seemed like it would last forever, all good things eventually come to an end. By the 1920’s, the nature of transportation had changed. America was no longer getting around by steamboat or train and the age of the car had begun. Slowly forgotten by the rest of the world, Castine slipped back into the obscurity it once knew so well. The once lavish hotels that attracted so much wealth in the 1880’s and 90’s were abandoned and torn down. Today only a few remain, a faded memory of a distant time. Conflict would once again bring attention to the small town when the US entered … Read More

The best way to discover the beauty of Castine and the Blue Hill Peninsula in Maine is by getting out on the water on one of many mid-coast Maine cruises. Whether it be by sail, motor, paddle, or just floating and swimming, you’ll uncover what makes this area truly special when you experience it from the sea. The maritime history of this area has shaped it into what it is today and the only way to experience much of the natural beauty of Maine is from the water. There are so many ways to explore by vessel, and we recommend them all! Cruise Castine Harbor Enjoy a 2-hour excursion on the bay and get a picturesque view of the town of Castine when you book a water excursion with Guildive Cruise. This service offering Maine coastal cruises has been sailing the bay for 10 years and does not disappoint. Each trip is limited to six people so the entire experience is more personal. Explore Holbrook Island or Castine Harbor aboard their new boat, Lil’ Toot, from only $25 per person.* The best part is that guests are welcome to bring their own picnic, beer, or wine along! Isle au Haut Mail Boat Isle au Haut Boat Services operates year-round passenger, mail and freight service between Stonington and Isle au Haut, as well as seasonal service to the Duck Harbor Landing of Acadia National Park. As a resource-based island community, Isle au Haut relies on their water-based transportation to support their residents. Choose from sightseeing tours, lobster fishing scenic tours, or lighthouse cruises, and try to spot the iconic puffins on the way to the quietest and least crowded part of Acadia! Round trip fare for adults starting at $40, children 12 and under starting at $20.* Bring a picnic lunch from Windmill Gardens and make this a day of adventure with an unforgettable hike off the beaten path. Castine Kayak Adventures Explore Penobscot Bay up close on the water when you paddle with Castine Kayak Adventures. Everyone from beginners to experienced paddlers will enjoy their customized sea kayaking tours and instructional clinics. Visit their website to learn more about trip options including their unforgettable bioluminescent trips available all summer long.   Bucks Harbor Marina Bucks Harbor Marina has you covered for your charter, mooring, and marina service needs. If you have your own boat or a license to rent one, this is a must! Bucks Harbor is located at the head of Eggemoggin Reach, one of the most protected and popular passages, making it one of the most beautiful marinas on the Maine coast with unspoiled natural panoramas! Smith Cove If you are looking to jump in and brave the waters, we invite you to take a dip in this nearby swimming hole, known as one of the warmest spots for swimming on the mid-coast of Maine. A local’s secret, but we’ll tell you how to get there when you arrive! For those of you looking to learn about the rich history of boat building and the extensive maritime history of Maine, we recommend a trip over to Brooklin. Learn about the craft of wood boat building or watch a pleasure yacht being built before you get out their and experience the seafaring life firsthand.   The WoodenBoat School If you want to get behind the scenes and learn the craft of boat building at the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, Maine. You’ll feel transported to a different and simpler time as you discover the art of woodworking. Their courses include; Multihull Seamanship, Building a 15′ Aspoya Faering, Finishing Out Small Boats, Traditional Oarmaking, and Marine Photography in Black & White! Brooklin Boat Yard The Brooklin Boat Yard is a custom yacht builder, yacht designer, Maine boat yard, and brokerage only 30 miles from Castine. The family-run business was started in 1960 by the owner Joel M. White, and continues to be run by his son Steve White. Get a glimpse into the impressive display of craftsmanship by checking out the boatbuilding time lapse on their website! There is no better way to explore Penobscot Bay, the Blue Hill Peninsula, Acadia National Park, or the Down East region of Maine than by sea; So pack up your bags and head to the Pentagöet Inn to start your vacation off right. Each day you’ll be treated to a complimentary breakfast, and then come back, relax and rewind at the Baron Pub & Wine Bar after your day at sea. The perfect place to learn more about maritime history and maybe tell some ‘Fish Stories’ of your own. With a dozen picturesque coastal towns within easy reach of Castine, the timeless charm, fine dining, and relaxed atmosphere are sure to make your vacation memorable. Check Availability. *Rates reflected in this blog are as of Aug 21st, please check the company website for up-to-date rates and schedules.

No trip to Castine is complete without visiting Dyce Head Lighthouse. The Pentagoet Inn is the official lighthouse stamp location for Dyce Head Lighthouse here in Castine. Don’t miss out on visiting this wonderful lighthouse!

This granite quarry was first used in the early 1900’s and produced granite for the Williamsburg Bridge in New York, the Manhatten Bridge, the New York County Courthouse, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the JFK Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. It once was a major industrial site employing hundreds of men and was a forest of stacks, masts, booms and derricks. The Quarry is now a part of the Island Heritage Trust and is an excellent place to explore and hike. The Grout Pile Trail and Glacial Erratic Trail guide you around the quarry and through the woods where you can view a panorama of Webb Cove, Merchants Row, Isle Au Haut and the Camden Hills. Visit the IHT site for details.

The Pumpkin Island Lighthouse is one of our favorite local lighthouses to visit. Good Morning America came to Castine and visited the lighthouse as part of their tour of the Blue Hill peninsula. It was a great way to end the day with the sun setting over Eggemoggin Reach.