After twenty plus years in need and many years of planning, the Gloucester High School field house deficiencies are no more. Restoration is underway on this 1.6 million capital improvement directed by Gloucester Public Works.
The old bleachers are being replaced with top notch product.
Issues with the original concrete and under laying have been resolved. “The new work will be done correctly.” This mean new hardwood flooring. New usable track. Gloucester DPW hired Capital construction for this big project.
Views of the progress July 2020– so exciting!
The old bleachers were punched out all over, holes like confetti. Rumor one I’ve heard was shot put tosses caused the damage (whether practice misses or on purpose, I’m not sure) Rumors two is the holes were a result of indoor baseball and softball practice. What do you think caused the holes? Cue up GMG poll.
Whatever the results, counting on community taking care of the new fieldhouse.
The Benjamin A. Smith Field House, aka Smith Field House, was formerly dedicated to Albert Bachelor.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
In 1952*, Art Jewelers on 117 Main Street (now Unwind) in Gloucester, Massachusetts, offered GHS female graduates a FREE sterling silver teaspoon in a pattern of their choice.
Pauline Bresnahan writes about a great conversation she had with her mother this week: “We were talking about running a small business on Main Street today compared to when she was growing up here. She told me about the following story which I had not heard before. My Mom Graduated GHS in 1952. Art Jewelers on Main St. offered each Female Graduate a FREE Sterling Silver teaspoon in a pattern of their choice. My Mom picked Blossom Time, an International Silver Co. pattern. She and my Dad were married in 1953 and by then purchased 7 more teaspoons. They were gifted more place settings as a wedding gift.”
Other businesses catered to students, too. Gloucester Pants Co. at 211 Main Street advertised “special rates to students” in the yearbook. Nichols Candy and Luncheonette was across the street in 118 Main Street, where Franklin is now. There were several jewelers on Main Street. (Pauline worked at Blanchards and remembers her boss taking them to Cameron’s for celebrations.)
*How many possible spoons? The GHS1952 senior class size looks to be > 250 inyearbook.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Well done super boosters – Grace Ferrara and family, Carlotta , and Diane Horne – for organizing such a special event and all that went into it! The Gloucester House meal and service were outstanding. Thanks to the generous folks who bought raffle tickets and game day snacks and many volunteers and supporters. There was serious swag and a wonderful celebration for a great season. Congratulations players.
A few scenes from the GHS boys soccer dinner banquet at Gloucester House, Gloucester, MA.
super booster Grace Ferrera and crew 🙂
Head Coach Armando Marnoto
JV Coach Jason Rutkauskus
courtesy photos from Kristin and Peg:
Link to slideshow
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Wish my phone captured the surreal beauty of the fishing boats floating past the field goal, heading to the cut. Prettiest stadium for spectators in Massachusetts.
Picturesque setting and buffer slope designed like natural amphitheater for the track and field at O’Maley. The track needs work and the field needs filling/leveling of some troubling holes. To left out of field of view: ball fields and booster funded snack bar shed and restrooms (could be open – gross to see teams head to the trees straight from the bus)
Elementary school campuses are lovely, too. Snapshots of a few:
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Cadets from the Junior ROTC program at Gloucester High School volunteer for 3 hour shifts at Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue.
GHS JROTC 10/12/19 – L to R Willow, Emmanuel (3 hour volunteer shifts at Shaws Eastern Avenue to support the program)generous local businesses let community groups fundraise– this one at Shaw’s for GHS JROTC. Generous customers, too! The jars were filling up!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The deadline to order apparel for Gloucester High School Athletics is coming fast- Sunday at noon. Don’t miss a big school spirit selection for fall sports and all GHS athletics. Here’s the store link: https://gloucesterathletics2019.itemorder.com/sale
John from DPW described some Gloucester High School curb appeal betterments we happened upon today and kindly shared this photo for Good Morning Gloucester.
John, Nick, Fred (electrician), Tommy, Brian, and Billy from Gloucester DPW have been finishing some corrective cement walkway work and assorted grounds keeping at Gloucester High School. Over in the parking lot, the trees are looking sporty-spruced, and they’re easy to walk under now they’ve been lifted. Overgrown brush has been cleared and hauled off with more to come. Loam is being delivered for the ground around the new entrance sign (class gift) readying for the wonderful gardeners touch still to come.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Please see the Event Flyer or text below for information about the “In Plain Sight” and Vaping Education Night Gloucester Police and Gloucester High School will present on Tuesday, May 7. As parents and educators, we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our children. Please join us for an evening of experiential education to empower you to recognize and address youth health issues with your children.- All the very best, Mr. James Cook, Principal, Gloucester High School
In Plain Sight & Vaping Education Night An Evening Session for Parents and Guardians May 7, 2019 5-7PM Gloucester High School.
Gloucester, Mass. A great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt/trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks.
ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY SCAVENGER HUNT TRIVIA WEEK SIX. THIS CHALLENGE IS THE FINAL WEEK IN THE SERIES. GO BACK HERE IF YOU WANT TO SEE WEEK 6 QUESTIONS ONLY.
The challenge Week 6 was to locate the historic map on Cape Ann Museum’s Fitz Henry Lane on Line and study it closely to comb through location prompts. This is a great family activity for all ages. It’s a bit eye spy or Where’s Waldo mixed with atlas map fun. The students were tasked with photographing the same sites as they appear today and creating a labeled presentation.
Visit CAPE ANN MUSEUM FITZ HENRY LANE ON LINE resource and scroll down to the correct map here
Map of the Towns of Gloucester and Rockport (detail of Harbor Village) Henry Francis Walling (F. Walling)
1851
44 x 34 in. Henry Francis Walling, Map of the Towns of Gloucester and Rockport, Essex Co. Massachusetts. Philadelphia, A. Kollner, 1851 Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive “Map of the Towns of Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts. H.F. Walling, Civil Engineer. John Hanson, Publisher. 1851. Population of Gloucester in 1850 7,805. Population of Rockport in 1850 3,213.” Map detail = segment of Harbor Village portion of map showing Lane-Winter property on Duncan’s Point.
Question – find on 1851 historic map
ANSWER- NOW (2019)
1
Duncan’s Point
Maritime Gloucester / Railways (former FG Low’s & Eli F. Stacy’s whf)
2
Five Pound Island
State Fish Pier
3
Front Street (present sign must be in picture)
Main and Short
4
Middle Street (present sign must be in picture)
Middle Street
5
High Street
School Street and Proctor
6
Fort Defiance
The Fort
7
Vincent’s Cove
West End Main Street and Rogers section all fill / Gorton’s, Americold, etc
8
Town House
Legion
9
Gloucester House
Brick building corner of Washington and Main (Puritan House)
10
Two cemeteries
1)cemetery next to Amvets on Prospect 2)St. Ann’s
11
Hospital
up Granite Street veers right to Blyman
12
Town Landing
Same (St. Peter’s)
13
Two bowling alleys
1)on Stacy Boulevard (see Cordage manufactury below)
2) on the Fort
14
3 schools
study the map!
1)by Univ Church and Eng H& School on Church off Middle on old map
2)looks like where Central Grammar is
3)Prospect and School where apartments are now
4)corner Washington and Gould Ct.
15
Train station
Roughly train platform now
16
Engine house
Beyond train platform- roughly where Stop & Shop is on RR Ave
17
Canal Street
Stacy Boulevard (Tavern side)
18
Cordage Manufacturing
Ditto
19
Beach Street
Commercial Street (behind Beauport Hotel back to water)
For six weeks I’ve been posting local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School one week behind the students’ pace.
This is the final week! The questions are posted today and answers posted Thursday. Good luck!
Mr. Goulart’s Local History Scavenger Hunt Week 6 (4/14)
Gloucester, Mass. A great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt/trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge paced one week after the students.
ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY SCAVENGER HUNT TRIVIA WEEK FIVE
1)What year was there an ordinance to establish a Police department in Gloucester? ANSWER: 1873 (according to the Gloucester Time Line archives book and the great Gloucester police website here : “In 1799, Isaac Elwell was appointed Inspector of Police. This was a term first used in Boston 14 years earlier to describe the men appointed to keep track of the night watchmen who patrolled the city after dark watching for fires. Constables assisted Elwell and other men who followed him as Inspector of Police until about 1847 when a petition was received by the Selectmen asking for some additional policemen to assist the Inspector of Police. Around 1850 the first night police were used. Only a few of the policemen were paid as the rest either served without compensation or were only paid for working during special occasions. In 1873, a city ordinance establishing a police department was put into effect with nine officers under the leadership of City Marshal William Cronin.”)
Gloucester Massachusetts Historical Time-line 1000-1999 Mary Ray, ed. Sarah Dunlap Gloucester City Archives published in 2002. You can purchase this book from the Archives.
2)The original building used as a jail prior to 1889 was located on Rogers Block, take a picture of this area present day with a member in it. ANSWER: Main Street (harbor side) from Duncan to Porter
Rogers block = Main Street (from Porter to Duncan) detail from 1891 Walker map
3)Where was the first Gloucester police station built in 1889, take a picture with a member in it at the location. ANSWER: corner of Duncan and Roger
former site police station at Duncan & Rogers (now lot)
detail from 1899 Stadley Map
1899 “new” police station from Pringle history
4)Veterans of what war had a hall for them located on the third floor of the building? ANSWER: Spanish American in the police station that was built in 1899. City Hall Read about bronze veteran tribute plaques (including Spanish American) at City Hall here
from Mr. Goulart Old Police station built in 1899 at the corner of Duncan and Roger (2019 = police parking lot)
1971/1973 newspaper clipping from Sawyer Free
5)What year was the present day police station erected? Take a picture of it with a member in it. ANSWER: 1973
6)Go to the exterior of the police station and take a picture with an object that would be personal to Mr. Goulart (keyword: Goulart) ANSWER: Officer Jerome G. Goulart memorial bench
7)Take a picture with a Gloucester Police officer in uniform. Answ. How cool are these officer baseball cards!
8)Ask the cop: What is the code word for “lunch break” over the radio. Submit the answer. ANSWER: 1093
9)For a brief time the “Old Stone Jug” served as a jail, take a picture in front of it with a member in it. What is this building known as? ANSWER: Fitz Henry Lane former house and studio
10) Where does the term cop come from? ANSWER: not definitive though according to snopes meaning “nab” closest: “Instead, the police-specific use of “cop” made its way into the English language in far more languid fashion. “Cop” has long existed as a verb meaning “to take or seize,” but it didn’t begin to make the linguistic shifts necessary to turn it into a casual term for “police officer” until the mid-19th century. The first example of ‘cop’ taking the meaning “to arrest” appeared in print around 1844, and the word then swiftly moved from being solely a verb for “take into police custody” to also encompassing a noun referring to the one doing the detaining. By 1846, policemen were being described as “coppers,” the ‘-er’ ending having been appended to the “arrest” form of the verb, and by 1859 “coppers” were also being called “cops,” the latter word a shortening of the former.”- snopes
Over six weeks I’m posting local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School– except we’ll be one week behind the students’ pace. He explains that the “questions are multi-layered and usually have an image required in the submission. All questions will deal with Gloucester’s local history. I recommended to the students to utilize friends and family so your student may be reaching out to you for help. It is a competition and the prizes will be calculated into the Term 4 grade” for the students.
Mr. Goulart’s Local History Trivia Scavenger Hunt Week 5 – Police week
Local History Scavenger Hunt Week 5 (3/31)
What year was there an ordinance to establish a Police department in Gloucester?
The original building used as a jail prior to 1889 was located on Rogers Block, take a picture of this area present day with a member in it.
Where was the first Gloucester police station built in 1889, take a picture with a member in it at the location.
Veterans of what war had a hall for them located on the third floor of the building?
What year was the present day police station erected? Take a picture of it with a member in it.
Go to the exterior of the police station and take a picture with an object that would be personal to Mr. Goulart (keyword: Goulart)
Take a picture with a Gloucester Police officer in uniform.
Ask the cop: What is the code word for “lunch break” over the radio. Submit the answer.
For a brief time the “Old Stone Jug” served as a jail, take a picture in front of it with a member in it. What is this building known as?
Gloucester, Mass. Great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge paced one week after the students.
ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK FOUR
How did you do? Week two delved into Gloucester’s famous inventors. Stop here if you prefer to go back to see Week 4 questions only
Mr. Goulart’s Local History Trivia Scavenger Hunt Week 4 Inventors
1.John Hays Hammond Jr. “Jack”
Go to the location of his home and take a picture with a member in it.
What did he invent?
Answer: “Over the course of his professional career, he was awarded over 800 foreign and domestic patents resulting from over 400 of his inventions. Many of these began in radio control before extending to electronics, naval weapons, national defense, as well as various consumer products.” – Hammond Castle
“In connection with his radio researches Jack obtained most important patents for receiving and broadcasting and these he sold to RCA…” John Hays Hammond, Sr
Hammond Castle – I hope that one day the Trustees and Historic New England add this as a shared property among their preservation jewels, along with the Natalie Hammond property and much of the parents’ estate, Lookout Hill, with some portion of admission for the City. At one point Hammond Castle was one of the top attractions in Massachusetts.
2.Clarence Birdseye
Go to the location where his company was and take a picture with a member in it.
Go to the location of his grave and take a picture with a member in it.
Answer: Mt. Pleasant cemetery
What did he invent?
Answer: Augustus S Wonson invented antifouling copper paint to protect boats. Tarr & Wonson’s was established in 1863. The former factory and harbor icon is now Ocean Alliance.
ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
This is an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, (also inappropriate dialogue, and questionable moral content) but for sure an unforgettable show. The large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! a guaranteed smash hit.
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. Hours of Abba Songs?
You should come.
You should bring other people.
Maybe people ages 10 and up unless they are already seasoned Mamma Mia fans.
THURSDAY APRIL 4, 7:00 PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1:00 PM MATINEE
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 7:00 PM
Gloucester High School
32 Leslie O Johnson Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Over six weeks I’m posting local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School– except we’ll be one week behind the students’ pace. He explains that the “questions are multi-layered and usually have an image required in the submission. All questions will deal with Gloucester’s local history. I recommended to the students to utilize friends and family so your student may be reaching out to you for help. It is a competition and the prizes will be calculated into the Term 4 grade” for the students.
Mr. Goulart’s Local History Trivia Scavenger Hunt Week 4 Inventors
1.John Hays Hammond Jr.
Go to the location of his home and take a picture with a member in it.
What did he invent?
2.Clarence Birdseye
Go to the location where his company was and take a picture with a member in it.
What did he invent?
3.Augustus H. Wonson
Go to the location of his grave and take a picture with a member in it.
What did he invent?
4.William Nelson Le Page
Go to the location where his company was after it moved from Rockport and take a picture with a member in it.
What did he invent?
Go to the location of Le Page’s company co-founder Ruben Brooks’ manor and take a picture with a member in it.
Gloucester, Mass.- Great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge one week after the students. Good luck!
ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK THREE
How did you do? Week three was all about some famous Gloucester FIRSTS and there were many locations. Stop here if you prefer to go back to see Week 3 questions only.
1)The location of Gloucester’s first “Four Year High School”
Principal Albert Bacheler CENTRAL GRAMMAR
2)The location of Gloucester’s first Brick Building?
PURITAN HOUSE built in 1810by Col. James Tappan* is a historic house at 3 Washington Street and 2 Main Street. Also known as: Tappan’s Hotel, Gloucester Hotel (“Tappan’s Folly”), Atlantic House, Mason House, Community House, Capt Bills (1960s-70s), Puritan House & Pub (1977), Blackburn Tavern (1978-00s) *Tappan was taught by Daniel Webster
Excerpt from prior GMG post (read it here) about scenic tours by bike 1885: “And now let’s take our wheel for a short run along our harbor road to East Gloucester, and note the many points of interest on the way. The start is made at the Gloucester Hotel–the headquarters of all visiting wheelmen in the city–at the corner of Main and Washington streets; from thence the journey takes us over the rather uneven surface of Main street, going directly toward the east. In a few minutes we pass the Post Office on the left, and soon leave the noisy business portion of the street behind us, then, e’re we are aware of it, we reach and quickly climb the slight eminence known as Union Hill…” This brick building at Main and Washington now features Tonno Restaurant. Notice the chimneys and same stairs as when it was the Gloucester Hotel. The Blackburn Tavern sign was just marketing; this building has no connection. Blackburn’s Tavern is now Halibut Point restaurant at the other end of Main Street.
3)The first schoolmaster and town clerk’s house. (private property do not trespass)
“RIGG’S HOUSE” 27 Vine Street (Annisquam) Thomas Riggs House purchased in 1661
oldest house on Cape Ann, Gloucester, MA
4)A list of the first recorded Gloucester fishermen lost at sea. (Hint: 1716)
Look under the year on cenotaph surrounding Man At Wheel
Mayor Romeo Theken, annual Fisherman’s Memorial Service, 2016
5)The location of the first carillon built in America.
Over six weeks I’m posting local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School– except we’ll be one week behind the students’ pace. He explains that the “questions are multi-layered and usually have an image required in the submission. All questions will deal with Gloucester’s local history. I recommended to the students to utilize friends and family so your student may be reaching out to you for help. It is a competition and the prizes will be calculated into the Term 4 grade” for the students.
Mr. Goulart’s LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK THREE
WEEK 3 of 6: FIRSTS
Below is a list of 15 locations. Each one requires an image with a group member in it.
The location of Gloucester’s first“Four Year High School”
The location of Gloucester’s first Brick Building?
The first schoolmaster and town clerk’s house. (private property do not trespass).
A list of the first recorded Gloucester fishermen lost at sea. (Hint: 1716)
The location of the first carillon built in America.
The location of Gloucester’s oldest surviving burial ground for the First Parish.
The location of Gloucester’s first town hall.
The location named after the first settled minister on Cape Ann.
An example of a First Period house. (include the year of the house)
Mural depicting the “Founding of Gloucester”. (the first pioneers) Hint: Build not for today alone, build for tomorrow as well.
The house that was the first location of a library in Gloucester.
The location of the first city owned bridge. It was a drawbridge moved by a hand-cranked winch.
The first statue formerly atop the Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
The plaque for the first meeting house green. (a.k.a Meeting House Plain)
The first location for the YMCA in Gloucester Mass.
Gloucester, Mass.- Great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge one week after the students. Good luck!
ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK TWO
How did you do? Week two delved into scenes of historic battles. I’ve added some background. Stop here if you prefer to go back to see Week 2 questions only from 3/17/19
WEEK 2: DEFENDING GLOUCESTER Location #1
Who was the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony? ANSWER – ROGER CONANT
Go to the location of the fort named after him and take a picture with a member in it. *Stage Fort Park “Fisherman’s Field”
Bronze tribute plaques embedded in Tablet Rock at Stage Fort Park detail the site’s history and were commissioned and unveiled at different times. The monumental and stunning Founders plaque from 1907 on Tablet Rock itself is in fantastic condition. Two DAR plaques were inlaid on the glacial outcroppings past half moon beach on the way to the cannons. The Fisherman’s Field (ca.1930) is so worn it’s nearly indecipherable, though that’s part of its charm. The plaque compels close inspection, lingering and discovery. It’s a fun family activity for anyone who likes a challenge. For those who want help reading the content, I transcribed it back in 2010. Scroll down below the “read more” break in this post to open.
Stage Fort Fisherman’s Field plaque honoring all actions. My attribution is Harriet Hyatt_plaque refers to restoration of area 1930 by DAR
Revolutionary War tribute commissioned by DAR and installed 2013
During which war did it receive this name? ANSWER – FORT CONANT during the Civil War
When you zoom in on this 1901 photograph, you can see the big ‘Battery K’- for the Spanish American War (Camp Hobson) Fort conant during Civil War
Scrutiny
1901 before the Tablet
Gloucester vs Plymouth / Captain John Hewes vs Miles Standish
DAR plaques marvelous glacial outcroppings Stage Fort Park
Founders Plaque
Gloucester HarborWalk #32
Location #2
location 2 courtesy photos
Take a picture at Fort Point with the former location of the Coast Guard Aviation Station behind you (must be visible in the picture) ANSWER – TEN POUND ISLAND
What was the fort called on Fort Point? ANSWER – FORT DEFIANCE Fort Point Hill, Fort Lillie (Lily)
Name a war it was utilized in. ANSWER – Efforts to fortify as early as 1703 (see Pringle) ATTACK OF CAPTAIN LINDSAY (OR LINZEE) 1775 –population about 5000 –REVOLUTIONARY WAR, WAR OF 1812, CIVIL WAR
“In 1743, what is known as the old fort on Commercial Street, now encroached upon and surrounded by buildings, was completed. On this point, well selected strategically, is a hill which effectually commands the inner harbor. In 1742 and 1742, the General Court appropriated 527 pounds to defray the cost of fortification. Breastworks were thrown up and eight 12-pounders placed in position in the fort. The immediate cause of its erection was the fear of French incursions, but these fears were never realized. An effort had been made as early as 1703 to fortify the place, but the petition of the selectmen to the General Court for an appropriation for the purpose was refused. The petition shows that he harbor, even at that early date was extensively frequent for shelter, and was “very seldom free from vessels.”
“In order to be better prepared for future assaults breastworks were thrown up at Stage Fort, the Cut, Duncan’s Point and Fort Point. This, however was the last attack by sea or land that the people experienced.”
Location #3
From Fort Point go to the location of the seven-gun earthwork battery and barracks in ramparts field. Take a picture with the old towers in the background (do not go on private property) ANSWER – EASTERN POINT FORT by eminent domain, Ramparts Field Road Fort Hill
Name a war it was utilized in ANSWER – CIVIL WAR
“Immediate action was taken toward the erection of fortifications. Land at Eastern Point, belonging to Thomas Niles was acquired by the government, and earthwork fort erected and manned…”
Screenshot
Screenshot Google Earth with all three above locations in it and circle them. Submit the image.