Castine, one of the oldest European communities in North America, has been occupied continuously since the early 1600s as the site of numerous trading posts, forts, missions and permanament sellements of France, Holland, England and colonial America. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the peninsula has been the home to several nations of the Native Americans dating back to prehistoric times. During the Revolutionary War, Castine was the site of a major naval defeat for the American revolutionary forces. (click here for more info) The remnants of several British military sites are still visible today. Not until 1815, after the last departure of the British, was the US sovereignty secure.

The rest of the 19th century brought peace and also prosperity
from ship building and the world wide sea commerce. From that
Castine gained fine architecture that contributes to the
character of the town today.

Ship building declined in the after the Civil War. However by the
end of the 19th century, Castine was rediscovered via the water
with the steamboats which brought the summer people or
"rusticators" as the natives called them. Many built elaborate
summer cotttages and less pretentious log cabins.
The Manor Inn is an example of that era.

For More information about Castine's history:
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