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Castle Island Camps opened in 1929. Leighton Castle purchased the
property from the State of Maine. At that time, Castle Island Road was a dirt logging
road used only to get to Castle Island Camps and/or the Elizabeth Arden Estate just up
the road. The rates were a dollar a day with meals included, transients welcomed. Back then,
our famous fish chowder night was prepared outside over an open fire. The amount of fish in
the chowder depended on how many fish were caught in camp. After dinner guests would help
out by doing their own dishes.
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Leighton and his family operated Castle Island until 1947 when health problems
prevented him from continuing. He sold Castle Island to his favorite nephew, George
Weis. He and his young wife ,Doris, operated the camps until 1970. During this time they raised
their two sons, Ron and Robert. George sold the business to Horatio Castle, the youngest
son of Leighton Castle. Horatio and Valerie Castle operated the camps for thirty-two
years. During this time they raised their children,
Vicky and Russell. In 2002, Horatio sold the business to John and Rhonda Rice. Rhonda
is the granddaughter of George and Doris Weis.
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Castle Island has become a significant part of our guests lives. Several third and even
fourth generation family members come back each year, some for over
forty years. Their experiences at Castle Island have been passed on from fathers to
sons, grandfathers to their granddaughters, friends to friends etc.
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