By Terry Weber
On September 15, the little cottage on Magnolia Beach (63 Raymond Street in Manchester) was knocked over. The property (house and .47 acres) sold in July for 1.2 million bucks. It was built in 1940 and had 2 bedrooms and one bath.
Just wanted to say goodbye to the Little Cottage as small cottages on prime waterfront property are becoming extinct. I liked looking at it from the beach and I’m sure it provided a wealth of happy cozy memories in its time.
coming down
before demolition
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Related
Published by Kimsmithdesigns
Documentary filmmaker, photographer, landscape designer, author, and illustrator. "Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly" currently airing on PBS. Current film projects include Piping Plovers, Gloucester's Feast of St. Joseph, and Saint Peter's Fiesta. Visit my websites for more information about film and design projects at kimsmithdesigns.com, monarchbutterflyfilm.com, and pipingploverproject.org. Author/illustrator "Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden."
View all posts by Kimsmithdesigns
By Terry Weber
Good Morning Gloucester 
Sad to see it gone. I always called it the “loneliest little house” whenever I passed by..
I will be curious to see what goes up on that spot.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for posting this. My husband and I are very sad to see this cottage go. It has brought us years of simple pleasure just looking at it; particularly from The Surf Park.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very sad to see it go. I shudder to think of the mcmansion that will be built in its place. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a beautiful house ~ and times are changing and it is McMansion time probably ~ It was always my dream house and I guess it still is ~ I too took photos of it because I knew they would tear it down ~ Oh well, I can only keep my ‘little corner’ of the world and keep it simple but elegant ~ Glad to know others have similar feelings ~
Carol L McKenna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Carol. I like your “simple but elegant” reference. Not everyone feels the need to super-size their house or display an overly manicured lawn. The original occupants surely found natural fulfillment just by being near the sea, not by impressing others.
LikeLike
I’ve long enjoyed seeing it from the street and speculating on what a wonderful retreat it was for someone. I hope the former owners are able to enjoy their newfound wealth in a way compatible with what the cottage meant to all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just before I read this I was restacking the kids books after their departure for the winter. On the top is one of my very favorite books from my childhood, “The Little House” by Virginia Lee Burton. It was sad but happy because it was moved, not so now days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From a neighbor, good riddance to an overgrown neglegted property, Happy to see the approved house and grounds that will be built.
LikeLike
Eat the rich.
LikeLike
Change is always difficult to accept. As you can see from the above comments; what’s sadness to some is happiness to others. If it wasn’t for change we’d most likely still be walking with our knuckles scrapping the ground.
“You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.”
Jim Rohn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great article. Short and sweet (to the point)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oof! So sad. I had fantasies of purchasing this place and keeping it exactly as is, if I ever hit it big.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For 75 years the Gillooly family’s “Little House That Could” has stood sate, sturdy & strong against both calm seas & violent storms. What a proud heritage. Now in the name of “progress” another little gem of Magnolia has been consigned to history. Those of us who grew up in the 40’s-60’s era will treasure the good times she afforded us. To friend, Jim, gone but not forgotten… May the new family make years of happy memories in their paradise found.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for contributing this comment Marcia. As I suspected, the little cottage and its occupants created many good memories in its time.
LikeLike
Jim is not gone. He lives in Manchester in elderly housing.
LikeLike
I’m fortunate to be in touch with Jim several times a week by e-mail. A childhood friend for a very LONG time.. Should have referred ONLY to his “little house” as gone but not forgotten. Thanks.
LikeLike
Hi Marcia – I came upon this post by “accident” and am both happy and sad that I did. Mrs. Gilhooly was my sister’s babysitter in the late 60s and early 70s. As a pre-teen, I was intrigued that anyone could live in such a tiny house; now I appreciate its simplicity and would love to have lived there. Every time I come home for a visit I always drive past the house and remember her wonderful spirit. Next time you contact Jim, could you please pass along our best wishes and warm remembrances of his mom? Thanks!
LikeLike
That’s a shame. I thought it was a cute little house.
Soon there will be a VIAGRA Villa or a Millenium Monstrosity or a Colorado Ski Lodge.
LikeLike
Little house on the beach I bet there are some great memories here and some howling storms passed by here! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
P
LikeLike
Laurel, please consider it done…Jim will be pleased to hear of your kind wishes & fond recollections. You’re most welcome. Marcia
LikeLike