Clam Tucker ~ On the ‘Squam, circa 1900 Alice M. Curtis/©Bodin Historic Photo
Clam Tucker is one of my favorite photos, and I always try to keep a print hanging in the gallery. My best guess on the location is the Mill River in Gloucester. Clam (Osmond “Clam” Tucker) kept his boat and had his clam shack on Clam Alley, which was paved with his shucked clams, and is across Washington Street from Gee Avenue.
I have talked to people in the gallery who knew Clam Tucker when they were children. Their parents sent them with buckets to buy his clams, and they timidly entered his shack where he told them stories. One person even claimed to have his clay pipe.
One piece of the puzzle that I haven’t solved yet is the type of boat this is. It can be rowed and also sailed. Any ideas?
Printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Good Morning Gloucester 