The Casco Castle Years, Chapter 7, Castle Grounds

Orientation of Casco Castle grounds to present day (2008). I created this diagram using Microsoft Powerpoint and Google Earth. The locations noted in the diagram represent my best guess after analyzing the photographs and comparing them to the South Freeport area as seen in Google Earth. You may either click on the image for an enlarged view or you can see the same area in Google Maps by clicking here.

Here are some photos taken on the grounds of Casco Castle. (click on the photo to enlarge)

[1902] The caption for this photo in the scrapbook is "Old Buffalo Field." Notice the streetcar and the electric railway line in the upper portion of the photo.

[1903] View from the tower.

Buffalo field as viewed from the castle.

Buffalo at Casco Castle Park. First buffalo born in Maine.

Buffalo at Casco Castle Park. First buffalo born in Maine.

Entertainment for the guests.

In the foreground of the photo above you will see a children's band. They are the St. Cecilia Band from Lewiston, ME. This is a postcard of the band that I found online. It was described as... (http://www.vintagepostcards.org/lewiston-maine-cecilia-band-french-horn-trombone-tuba-p-4287.html) Great graphics in his finely detailed c. 1901-1907 private postcard of children in the St. Cecilia Band in Lewiston, ME! The students played a wide variety of musical instruments including the French horn, trombone, tuba and cymbals. The band is documented as early as a July 1903 edition of the "Brunswick Telegraph." St. Cecilia is the patron saint of singing and music. A desirable Androscoggin County or musical collectible in excellent condition, save for minor wear on the reverse not materially affecting this charming image!

	The ball field.

[July 4, 1904] Ball field and South Freeport as viewed from the Casco Castle Tower. Park Street homes are visible right beside the first base and right field lines.

Then and now. This is a comparison of Park Street homes as seen in 1904 with those same five homes in 2008.

[1904] In the foreground of this photo you will see the greenhouses buried in snow. What is interesting to note is that in the July 4, 1904 photo above, the greenhouses are not present. It could be that the greenhouses were constructed sometime after the Fourth. Could it be that they were set up in the fall and dismantled in the spring?

[1904] Greenhouses.

[1905] Greenhouse interior.

[1905] Greenhouse interior.

[1902] Casco Bay as seen from Casco Castle.

[2008] The two cottages in the foreground of the previous photo are shown here highlighted by a white rectangle.

[1903] Log house for the deer.

[1903] Wolf pens.