Tag: Dogtown

Inside the Babson Cooperage, 1935

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This is the interior of the Babson Cooperage in July of 1935. Looking at the household implements, you wonder what some of them were used for. I believe this was part of the original Babson House, the kitchen.
This is the interior of the Babson Cooperage in July of 1935. Looking at the household implements from the 1600’s, you wonder what some of them were used for. I believe this was part of the original Babson House, the kitchen.

Babson Cooperage, Dogtown, 1935

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Built in 1658, the Babson Cooperage is considered to be the first factory on Cape Ann. James Babson made barrels that were filled with fish and shipped to England, and other places around the world. I think the plaque tells it all: JAMES BABSON FARM “GRANTED BY SPECIAL TOWN ACT DECEMBER 23, 1658 JAMES AND HIS MOTHER, ISABEL, WERE THE FIRST BABSONS TO REACH AMERICA, ARRIVING IN 1632. JAMES’ FATHER DIED ON SHIPBOARD WHILE CROSSING. TOWN RECORDS SHOW THAT ISABEL WAS A VERY ACTIVE KINDLY AND BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. SHE DIED IN 1661. JAMES WAS A COOPER WHO MADE BARRELS, ETC. FROM LUMBER OBTAINED FROM THE ADJOINING MILL ON CAPE POND BROOK. HE MARRIED ELINOR HILL AND THEY HAD TEN CHILDREN. HE DIED IN 1683.” You can still go to this place for free: Open July – August Tuesday – Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (978) 546-2958 http://babsonhistorical.org/babson-museum/
Built in 1658, the Babson Cooperage is considered to be the first factory on Cape Ann. James Babson made barrels that were filled with fish and shipped to England, and other places around the world. I think the plaque tells it all:
JAMES BABSON FARM
“GRANTED BY SPECIAL TOWN ACT DECEMBER 23, 1658
JAMES AND HIS MOTHER, ISABEL, WERE THE FIRST BABSONS TO REACH AMERICA, ARRIVING IN 1632. JAMES’ FATHER DIED ON SHIPBOARD WHILE CROSSING.
TOWN RECORDS SHOW THAT ISABEL WAS A VERY ACTIVE KINDLY AND BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. SHE DIED IN 1661. JAMES WAS A COOPER WHO MADE BARRELS, ETC. FROM LUMBER OBTAINED FROM THE ADJOINING MILL ON CAPE POND BROOK. HE MARRIED ELINOR HILL AND THEY HAD TEN CHILDREN. HE DIED IN 1683.”
You can still go to this place for free: Open July – August
Tuesday – Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (978) 546-2958 http://babsonhistorical.org/babson-museum/

Dogtown, 1914

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
In 1914, Dogtown was still pretty bare. What an amazing landscape. I'm sure the Lanesville photographer John I. Coggeshall, leveled his camera and this is the true contour of the land The tracks in the road look like it's used. I guess they were still raising pigs and vegetables. Nobody owned Dogtown, so why take your enterprise elsewhere, when cleared land with roads were available for free? Perhaps in our future, Dogtown may be used for a similar purpose.
In 1914, Dogtown was still pretty bare. What an amazing landscape. I’m sure the Lanesville photographer John I. Coggeshall, leveled his camera and this is the true contour of the land. The tracks in the road look like it’s used. I guess they were still raising pigs and vegetables. Nobody owned Dogtown, so why take your enterprise elsewhere, when cleared land with roads were available for free? Perhaps in our future, Dogtown may be used for a similar purpose.

Dogtown, 1923

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This is the "Old Pearce Cellar" in 1923. Dogtown was an open landscape and abandoned at that time. Now it's a jungle, and I advise visitors not to go there late in the day, never alone, and always with a charged up cell phone. I've been to Dogtown 50 times, and I always get lost. People will cry and panic when they're lost there. But you can hear the car traffic not too far away. Bushwhack your way out. That's never easy or comfortable with the swamps and pricker bushes.
This is the “Old Pearce Cellar” in 1923. Dogtown was an open landscape and abandoned at that time. Now it’s a jungle, and I advise visitors not to go there late in the day, never alone, and always with a charged up cell phone. I’ve been to Dogtown 50 times, and I always get lost. People will cry and panic when they’re lost there. But you can hear the car traffic not too far away. Bushwhack your way out. That’s never easy or comfortable with the swamps and pricker bushes. But it can be done.

More nature closeups from Dogtown

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

 

 

 

Lots of beauty in the details!

– Matthew Green

Almost the season for wild blackberries!

Posted on by Matthew Green

I can’t wait!

These were photographed in Dogtown.

– Matthew Green

P.S. I still have more 2nd hand stores to talk about!  Coming soon!

Dogtown Sumac

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

 

I love sumac at this time of year! Great colors, textures and lines. From a photo walk in Dogtown with the participants in my photography workshop.

– Matthew Green

Babson Boulders at home

Posted on by Matthew Green

The Babson Boulders of Dogtown are one of the harder-to-find attractions in Gloucester; you have to download a map and go trekking through the woods. It’s well worth the walk, and can be a lot of fun (especially when it isn’t tick-and-mosquito season).

But you can also get your own miniature, customized “Babson Boulders” at home. Here’s mine:

Truth

 

It was a gift from the artist, my friend Michael Foley.  I don’t know of anyone else who makes these!  You can see more of his work, including other “boulders”, on his website or on Facebook. He also has work at “The Art Nook” on Bearksin Neck.

– Matthew Green

 

Cape Ann Cleanup in Dogtown: Roger Davis Reporting

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

As part of Earth Day Clean Up Cape Ann Trail Stewards organized a clean up along the trails around Goose Cove Resevoir. 

For Today and the upcoming week’s Earth day Schedule around Cape Ann Click Here-

Here Is Your Point Of Reference For All Things Gloucester Earth Day/Week 2013

Click map for interactive information and send in your Earth Day Clean Up Pictures And I’ll attach them to the map and the blog!

image

Roger Davis reports:

On Sunday, the Cape Ann Trails Stewards organized a cleanup along the trails around and above the Goose Cove Reservoir.  A number of people worked at cleaning up the service road around the reservoir (including at least a couple of dads with young sons).  Patti Amaral reported collecting several bags of trash around the parking area at the entrance to Dogtown.  These photos show the cleanup at an apparent party spot near the city’s compost area in Dogtown.  A group of  a dozen volunteers collected a dozen bags full of empty cans, bottles and litter.  This area borders a sensitive vernal wetland, so it was good to see it cleaned up.  It was good to see so many people stepping up to return our woodlands to its beautiful natural state.
Kudos to volunteers. Kudos for Cape Ann Trails Stewards.  Keep your eyes open for future activities of this newly organized volunteer group.

IMG_2349
The scene upon arrival.
IMG_2351IMG_2381
The fire ring was still smoldering.
IMG_2355
Clean up begins.
IMG_2361
Trash in the wetlands.IMG_2363
IMG_2371IMG_2365IMG_2369
Cape Ann Trail Stewards and friends.  Count the bags and buckets!

IMG_2377

The scene after clean up.

Never Try, Never Win – old family photo

Posted on by Matthew Green

Never try, never win

 

Michael Dugan, the little boy in this 1975 photo, is now a senior VP at Forbes. His mother, Jean Dugan, suggests that he took the message on this boulder to heart!

– Fr. Matthew Green

Loyalty!

Posted on by Matthew Green

Loyalty editedThis classic photo comes courtesy of Jean Dugan, one of the parishioners at Holy Family Parish.  I’d love to do a series of photos of each boulder with a person or object that typifies the word, like she has done here with “loyalty”! What could be better than a loyal dog in Dogtown on the “Loyalty” boulder?

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

Rough Ideas from Dogtown

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

I was trying to come up with something for a post for today, and could only come up with rough ideas I found in Dogtown…

– Fr. Matthew Green

Happy Easter to all/ Dog Town Eco Tour

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Received these wonderful pictures from Silvie Lockerova from an event held at DogTown. On Saturday March 16th, 2013 at 1pm we had an organized eco-walk in the woods of DogTown. The event was sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations and Cape Ann Healing Center, guided by Ted Tarr and organized by Silvie Lockerova.  The walk started by the main entrance of DogTown by the compost area.  The large number of walkers proved the interest in history and nature of DogTown. Ted Tarr led people along the Babson Boulder Trail, through DogTown. At the end Ted Tarr invited walkers to join in the Cape Ann Trail Group supporting similar eco-walks on Cape Ann.

dogtown 5

Dogtwon 3

Dogtown 2

Dogtown 1

The woods of Dogtown are lovely and deep

Posted on by Matthew Green

… but not dark!

Walking the straight and narrow (the “boardwalk”, apparently – but made of stone….)

 

We ended up taking the road less traveled (barely visible in this photo)

– Fr. Matthew Green

Digital Dogtown

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

digital dogtown, gloucester

coconut, dogtown, gloucester

This past weekend we stumbled upon these Digital Dogtown Markers on the Dogtown Square trail. Each have a map with a QR code to scan. Each sign has information on the stops along the trail, similar to the signs on the Harborwalk around town. I didn’t have my phone on me, so I didn’t get to check it out for myself. Next time, I’ll bring my phone and see what I’m missing.

It was nice to get outside and enjoy the area. Coconut especially liked the walk. She climbed the giant boulders and rolled in the leaves. I made sure to check her good for ticks and luckily didn’t find any.  We saw a few others on the trail; people riding bikes, dirt bikes, walking dogs and taking photos.

It’s nice to have such a peaceful escape so close to home.

UPDATE: From Linn Parisi: Alan Davis did this project towards his Eagle Scout Award. He did the research, organizing, etc. and did a great job.

Thanks Linn for a little more background. Great job Alan!

~Alicia

Cellar Holes

Posted on by God's Morning

cellar hole 22 copy

Apparently there are 40-45 cellar holes from the Commons Settlement, now known as Dogtown.  This is the Full Cellar Holes Registry From the City of Gloucester website http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=715

Cellar Holes Full Registry

  1. Nathaniel Day
  2. Becky Rich
  3. Nolly Millett
  4. Emmons Family
  5. Mussey
  6. Smith
  7. Ben Stanwood
  8. Jeremiah Millett
  9. Clark Family
  10. Arthur Wharf
  11. Phillip Priestly
  12. William Wilson
  13. Joseph Winslow
  14. Hannah Stevens
  15. Easter Carter
  16.  James Dermerit
  17.  Dorcas Foster
  18.  Isaac Dade
  19. Joseph Ingersoll
  20. Widow Day
  21. Stephen Robinson
  22. Joseph Riggs
  23. Col. Pearce
  24. Abram Wharf
  25.  Peter Lurvey
  26. Stanwood house
  27. The Castle
  28.  Bennett Farm
  29. Hilton Place
  30. Joseph Hunter/cobbler
  31. Jim White
  32.  Ann Davis
  33. Esther Wharf
  34.  Unknow
  35. James Wharf
  36. Whipple Family
  37. Wither family
  38. White family
  39. Ben Allen
  40. Unknown

T.     Liz Tucker
R.    Judy Rhines
W.  James Wharf, Jr.
S.     Nehemiah Stanwood
X.     Unknown
Notable People

1.       Anthony Day married Mary Davis and the two had seventeen children. One son, Isaac, was a gunner on the USS constitution. All children also bore many offspring.

2.       Becky Rich was a woman who told fortunes from coffee grinds. She was a nice old lady, and mainly made her business in young people. She would tell teenagers who they were or weren’t to marry, among other relationship-related business.

14.     Hannah Stevens’ father was Joseph Stevens. Joseph Stevens owned a large amount of land, and in spite of his wealth was still a nice person.

15.     Easter Carter was very well known around Gloucester. She could often be found dressed as a man, under the pseudonym John Woodman. With this persona, Carter did a lot of outdoor work, primarily in building stone walls.

17.     Dorcas Foster was seen as a very brave girl, as she was independent at a young age. Her father was not around very much. She married three times. Her last marriage was to Captain Joseph Smith, who commanded a brigantine in the War of 1812.

18.     Isaac Dade led a very eventful life. After serving aboard an English man-of-war during the Revolutionary War, Dade became impressed by the area and deserted the British Army. He sailed to Virginia on a cargo ship and joined the Continental Army. He rowed across the Delaware River with George Washington. After fighting in many major battles, he became badly wounded and later left the Army to marry Fanny Brundel. Dade was well acquainted with the George Washington family. With his health deteriorating, he resolved to move back to Gloucester. It was here in Dogtown that he built a house, now known by its cellar hole, Cellar Hole 18.

19.     Molly Jacobs was a friend of Judy Rhines and Liz Tucker. These three are known for bringing infamy to Dogtown in later years, as it began to be viewed as the “red light district” of Gloucester.

22.     Joseph Riggs’s father was Sam Riggs. Sam Riggs owned a sizeable amount of land, and was town clerk and schoolmaster in 1661.

23.     Pearce’s large sheep flock attracted the attention of British raiders during the War of 1812.

24.     Abram Wharf was a very successful sheep farmer. In 1814, all his children had left him. This prompted him to crawl under a large boulder and ultimately commit suicide. This came as a shock to many people, as he was very smart and had many friends.

25.     Peter Lurvey was married to a sister of Abram Wharf. He is well known for his leadership during Captain Lindsay’s attack on Gloucester. Lindsay planned to attack the Commons and take the sheep for food. The skirmish resulted in a few cannonballs causing damage in Gloucester. The militia lured the Falcon to a cargo ship which looked deceptively loaded. When in range, the men fired on the Falcon, driving it out of the harbor. Before it left, it killed two men, one being Lurvey. He was the first Dogtown man to be killed in war.

27.     The builder of the structure known as the Castle is unknown. Becky Rich’s daughter Rachel Smith is believed to have lived there. Aunt Rachel, as Rachel Smith was known, was famous for brewing herbs and making medicines

Random Tidbits:

In 1814, 6 of the original 80 houses remained in Dogtown. The last resident left in 1830, and all were gone by 1845.

Judy Rhines and Tammy Younger are known as the “witches of Dogtown” for their power to control people and manipulate situations in their favor. While this may have led them to achieve the title of “witch,” these characteristics are also apparent in many politicians.

The sheep of the commons were subject to stealing. During the War of 1812, British sailors would see them as prizes of war and steal them from their owners in Dogtown.

I’d be curious to know if anyone has found them all, or how many people have been able to find.  I have only found a few of them – the boulders are much easier to find than the cellar holes.

E.J. Lefavour