Castine

Town in Hancock County, south-central Maine, USA, on a peninsula between the Bagaduce and Penobscot rivers, at the head of Penobscot Bay, 45 km/28 mi south of Bangor; population (1990) 1,200. Inhabitants include retired people, fishermen, and commuters to Bangor and Bucksport.

Castine is on the site of a 1629 British trading post called Pentagoet, which was attacked by the French in 1631 and 1635. A French Capuchin mission was established by the 1640s. Pentagoet was later regained by the British, seized by the French, and held by Dutch pirates. The Baron de St Castin controlled it, with Indian help, from 1673 to 1701. In 1779 the British took Castine, and held it until 1783, fending off an attack led by Paul Revere. The town was occupied by the British once again during the War of 1812.

Forts George and Madison are here, as is the Maine Maritime Academy (1941).