Everyone agrees that that the Old Castle in Pigeon Cove is old. Exactly how old, however, is subject to some debate. The caption of this postcard says it was built in 1678. That would be awfully early, given that the first permanent settler of Sandy Bay, Richard Tarr, did not arrive here until 1690. Several years ago, the Sandy Bay Historical Society hired a dendrochronologist — an expert in dating wood — to examine the building’s oak timbers. The results indicated that the building was probably constructed in 1712.

This Tuesday, June 14, there will be an opportunity to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Old Castle, when the Historical Society presents a lecture by Christina Doyle on the building’s history. That is at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockport Public Library.

This postcard was produced sometime between 1907 and 1917. No publisher is identified but it does say it was printed in Germany.

Here is another postcard showing the Old Castle.