History of Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA

1623 - Gloucester is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1642 - Gloucester is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1817 - August 18 - Gloucester, Mass, newspapers tells of wild sea serpent seen offshore

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1839 - Gloucester
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Essex county. This is a maritime township, comprising the whole of Cape Ann, and celebrated for the enterprise of its people in the fisheries and commercial pursuits. It is one of the oldest fishing establishments in the state. This cape extends about 8 miles into the sea, and forms the northern boundary of Massachusetts bay. Its harbor is capacious, easy of access at any season, and of sufficient water for ships of great burthen. Gloucester harbor and the chief settlements are on the south side. Sandy and Squam bays lie on the north side, about 4 miles from the south harbor, and afford harbors for small vessels. The lights on Thatcher's island bear about northeast 6 miles from East Point, the eastern boundary of Gloucester harbor. As early as 1794 the exports from this place, in one year, amounted to $230,000. Here are immense quarries of light and grayish granite, which is split with great ease, and in large regularly formed blocks. This stone is of a fine ... Read MORE...

1839 - December 15 - The first of triple storms hit Massachusetts Bay. The storm produced whole gales, and more than 20 inches of snow in interior New England. There was great loss of life at Gloucester MA.

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1845 - GLOUCESTER. [Pop. 6,350. Inc. 1642.]
Gloucester was named after Gloucester in England, from which some of the first settlers came. It was settled by persons from Plymouth Colony several years before it was incorporated.

The eastern portion of old Gloucester is a peninsula, and was named Cape Ann by King Charles, out of respect to his mother; but the Cape only has retained the name, and the larger part of the peninsula forms the town of Rockport.

The isthmus was early cut through by a canal, but this is little used by coasting vessels, for whose accommodation it was intended.

There are two villages, The Harbor, south of the isthmus, and Squam, north of it.

The inhabitants of Gloucester are very largely concerned in the fisheries, and their quarries of granite employ many workmen.

Distance from Salem, 16 miles; from Boston, 29.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Gloucester
Gloucester, a port of entry of Essex co., Massachusetts, 28 miles N. N. E. from Boston, is situated on the S. side of the peninsula of Cape Ann, and connected by railroad with the principal cities and towns of the seaboard and interior. It contains 8 or 10 churches, 4 news paper offices, and a bank with a capital of $200.000. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in the' fisheries, particularly those of cod and mackerel. The harbor is one of the best on the coast, and is accessible at all seasons for vessels of the largest class. The shipping of the port June 30th, 1852, amounted to an aggregate of 2139 tons registered, and 23,941 tons enrolled and licensed. Of the latter, 12,153 tons were employed in the cod fishery, and 11,033 in the mackerel fishery. The foreign arrivals for the year were 173, (tons, 14,849,) of which 147 (tons, 11,031,) were by foreign vessels. The clearances for foreign ports were 164, tons, 13,794 of which 11,031 were foreign bottoms. During the same year, 46... Read MORE...

1859
GLOUCESTER, a town and port in Essex co., in Massachusetts, 30 m. NE of Boston. It has a fine harbour on the S side of the peninsula. Pop. 6,350.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1869 - A well-known physician who had an extensive practice in Gloucester, (Mass.,) some forty years since,
used to say that roast beef, serenity of mind, cold water bath, and an amiable and pretty wife would make almost any man healthy, wealthy and wise.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 30, 1869

1873 - Gloucester is incorporated as a city

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1874 - Probably Fatal Accident
On Thursday evening Mr. A. C. Andrews received serious and probably fatal injuries whil riding horseback on School street. His horse, a splendid animal, took fright from the playing of the fire engines, throwing him off, striking his head. He was conveyed to his residence near by, where he now lies in a critical condition. No hopes are entertained for his recovery.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
May 9, 1874

1885 - At Gloucester - An Incendiary Caught.
GLOUCESTER, Mass., Oct. 12 - A stable on Pine street belonging to Bennett Griffin & Son, lumber dealers, was destroyed by fire at half past three o'clock this morning, together with all contents including seven horses, a number of carriages, a large quantity of hay, etc. Loss $5000, insured for $2800. This firm have suffered loss by three incendiary fires during the past two years. John Livingston, a driver in their employ until within a fortnight, was arrested upon suspension while the fire was in progress, and has confessed to setting it and the others.

Livingstone was arraigned in the Police Court, plead guilty to setting the fires, and was held in bonds of $35,000 to await the action of the Grand Jury.
Boston Journal
Boston, Massachusetts
October 12, 1885

1889 - Schooner Wreck
GLOUCESTER, Mass., Jan. 11. - The schooner wrecked on Bass Rocks was the forty ton Juliette, of Belfast, Me., from Rockland, Me., with lime ashes for Beverly, Mass. Eben Holmes, the captain and owner, says she lost her masts and began to fill with water during yesterday's gale, off Eastern Point. Holmes and his two men took to the boat, which soon after capsized. Holmes was unable to divest himself of his heavy overcoat, but swam in it to the shore, three quarters of a mile away. The others were drowned. They were Mate ALBERT CUNNINGHAM, aged 55, of Belfast, and a Welshman called RICHARD, aged 18, who was working his passage to Boston.
The News
Frederick, Maryland
January 11, 1889

Gloucester Massachusetts, 1890
GLOUCESTER, long celebrated as a fishing-port, occupies the larger part of Cape Ann, the easterly extremity of Essex County, and is about 30 miles from Boston, on a branch of the Eastern Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Its boundaries are Annisquam Harbor and the ocean on the north, Rockport and the ocean on the east, Massachusetts Bay upon the south, and Manchester and Essex on the west. The full area, including highways, water surfaces, and waste land, is 36 square miles — about 23,000 acres; the assessed area being but 9,823 acres.

The town is quite irregular in form, being indented by inlets, creeks and harbors, and is almost divided by a broad, irregular, branch-ing inlet extending southward from Annisquam Harbor nearly to Gloucester Harbor on the south side of the peninsula, and connected with it by "The Cut." Over this the carriage road passes by a bridge some 500 feet in length; while the railroad crosses a broader part of the frith about a mile northward.

A... Read MORE...

1895 - Gloucester
Gloucester, a city and port of entry of Essex co., Mass., 28 miles N.N. E. of Boston, is situated on the S. side of the peninsula of Cape Ann, and is connected by rail road with the principal cities and towns of the seaboard and interior. It is beautifully situated and handsomely and compactly built. It contains 20 churches (1 Episcopal, 4 Congregational, 2 Baptist, 4 Methodist, 1 Unitarian, 3 Roman Catholic, and 5 Universalist), 4 banks, a savings-bank, 3 insurance offices, and gas- and electric light companies. Three newspapers (two daily and one weekly) are published here. The interests of Gloucester are almost entirely commercial. It has a greater amount of tonnage in the domestic fisheries than any other town in the United States, amounting to some 35,000 tons, the number of vessels being over 400, and the "catch" amounting in some seasons to 10,000,000 pounds. The number of men employed in the cod- and mackerel-fisheries is about 5000. There are about 40 firms engaged in fitting ... Read MORE...

1910 - Gloucester Buildings Prey of Forest Fires
Boston Journal Special Wire.
Gloucester, March 25. - Grass and forest fires kept the local fire department busy most of the day. A barn on the Hovey estate at Fresh Water cove was destroyed this morning, the loss of $300 being covered by insurance. A summer camp in Concord street. West Gloucester, was destroyed this afternoon. The loss was $1200, fully insured. A forest fire in Bay View burned for two hours this morning and for two hours again tonight.
The Boston Journal
Boston, Massachusetts
March 26, 1910

1916
Gloucester, a city and port of entry of Essex co., Mass., 28 miles NNE. of Boston, is beautifully situated on the 8. side of the peninsula of Cape Ann, and is connected by the Boston and Maine R. with the principal cities and towns of the seaboard and interior. It has a greater amount of tonnage employed in the domestic fisheries than any other town in the United States. The number of men employed in the cod-, halibut- and mackerel-fisheries is over 5000. Gloucester has a large import trade, chiefly in salt, coal, and lumber. It has important granite-works, forges and foundries, ship-yards, etc., and manufactures of oil-clothing, sails, twine, anchors, and fish-glue. The city is a favorite summer-resort, and the picturesqueness of its surroundings attracts many artists. The harbor of Gloucester is one of the best on the coast and is accessible at all seasons for vessels of the largest class. Gloucester was occupied as a fishing station as early as 1624, being the first settlement made ... Read MORE...

1925 - Frozen dinners were invented in Gloucester
The concept may seem obvious today, but Clarence Birdseye was the first to introduce mass-produced frozen meals in 1925.
www.onlyinyourstate.com/massachusetts/interesting-history-facts-ma/

2023 - Whether you're a history buff, a beach lover, an art enthusiast, or simply looking to unwind in a beautiful coastal town, Gloucester has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Gloucester:
Good Harbor Beach: Start your Gloucester adventure at this beautiful, sandy beach known for its pristine waters and scenic views. It's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles with the family.

Wingaersheek Beach: Another fantastic beach option, Wingaersheek is a bit quieter than Good Harbor and is known for its calm waters, making it great for families with young children.

Stage Fort Park: Explore the historic Stage Fort Park, home to the Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial statue, which honors those lost at sea. You can have a picnic, enjoy the playground, or take in the panoramic views of Gloucester Harbor.

Gloucester Harborwalk: Stroll along the Harborwalk, a scenic pathway that winds along the waterfront. You'll encounter beautiful views of the harbor, fishing boats, and charming shops and restaurants along the way.

Rocky Neck Art Colony: Visit this vibrant art colony, where you can explore numerous galleries and studios showcasing the work of local... Read MORE...