📍 Location & Geography
New Castle is a small, picturesque town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It is the easternmost town in New Hampshire and the only one located entirely on islands. It is composed of one main island and several smaller ones, all of which are part of the Isles of Shoals archipelago. The town is surrounded by the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean.
🌎 Coordinates
The coordinates for New Castle, New Hampshire are approximately 43.0700° N latitude and 70.7105° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
New Castle is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area. It covers a total area of 2.4 square miles, of which 0.6 square miles is water. Despite its small size, the town offers a rich coastal landscape with stunning ocean views.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2010 census, New Castle had a population of 968 residents. The town is predominantly white, with a median age of 56.4 years. The gender makeup of the town is approximately 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
🏛️ History
New Castle was originally settled in 1623 as a fishing village on Great Island, one of the Isles of Shoals. It was incorporated as a town in 1693 and named New Castle after the fort “Castle William and Mary”, which was later renamed Fort Constitution. The town was a popular summer resort destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting wealthy families from around the country.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
New Castle is known for its natural beauty and coastal charm. The town is home to Great Island Common, a 32-acre seaside park that offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and a beach. The town also houses the New Castle Beach, a small, quiet beach perfect for families. New Castle’s location on the Atlantic Ocean also makes it a prime spot for boating and fishing.
🏫 Education
Education in New Castle is governed by the New Castle School District. The district operates the Maude H. Trefethen School, which serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade. For secondary education, students attend schools in the neighboring town of Rye or Portsmouth.
🚧 Transportation
New Castle is accessible by New Hampshire Route 1B. The town is approximately 50 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, and about 60 miles from Portland, Maine. The nearest airport is Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, located about 7 miles from the town center.
📜 Trivia & Events
New Castle is home to the historic Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, which was first established in 1771. The town also hosts the annual New Castle Village Walk and Garden Tour, a popular event that showcases the town’s historic homes and gardens. The Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, a grand historic hotel in New Castle, is a notable landmark and was the site of the 1905 peace treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War.