Welcome to America's Oldest Seaport
We are one of America's "Preserve America Communities".
This honor was bestowed upon Gloucester in 2005
We are only a short train ride from Boston. And, if you are driving it's much easier to get on and off this "Cape" so come to Gloucester to see what we're all about!.
Before you learn about Gloucester's history, just a couple of announcements -
Please enjoy our web site. Depending on how you arrived at this page, you may have to click on Tourism Office on the left side of this page to open the full menu of items that will give you information about all Gloucester has to offer!
Gloucester's History
America's Oldest Seaport In 1606, Samuel de Champlain came into our harbor and named it "Le Beau Port" or the beautiful port. A number of years later, in 1614, Captain John Smith traveled from Monhegan Island down the coast, ending his journey at Cape Cod. Before that, while passing the cape of land on which Gloucester is now located, he named it "Tragabigzanda" in honor of a Turkish lady who had befriended him when he was a prisoner in her country. Captain Smith then presented a map of the eastern coast to Prince Charles. He named this cape of land Cape Anne after his mother, Anne of Denmark. The name eventually was changed to Cape "Ann".
In 1623, men from Dorchester, England were sent to establish a fishing and trade plantation. That was the first fishing voyage from England to any port in America. In the same year, Edmond, Lord Sheffield, assigned a tract of land called Cape Ann to two men from the Plymouth Colony. They were poor, however, and one traveled back to England for needed help. By the time this gentleman, Edward Winslow, reached England, the Dorchestermen had already arrived. These Dorchestermen established the first permanent settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The men anchored their ship in the harbor and set up fish stages (fish-drying platforms) on "Fishermens' Field". This area is now known as Stage Fort Park. In 1624, Plymouth Colony expelled Church of England clergyman, John Lyford as well as John Oldham to Nantasket where they joined Roger Conant who previously had left Plymouth. The Dorchester Company asked these three to join them and Lyford and Conant agreed to this. Conant became Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In 1625, there was a fight over the fishing stages. Plymouth men, led by Miles Standish and Captain William Pierce, tried to take over the stages. Pierce avoided a battle by abandoning the stage and building another. In 1626, the Dorchestermen were recalled to England after three hard, unsuccessful years. Four of the men stayed and were led by Roger Conant to Naumkeag, or what later became Salem and Beverly. There is conflicting information on whether or not others stayed in Gloucester. But by 1642, other settlers had traveled to Gloucester including the Reverend Richard Blynman from Plymouth with several families. Gloucester was incorporated that year and given its name due to the large number of settlers from Gloucester, England. Fish houses, wharves and drying racks were built around the area including ones in Annisquam, Folly Cove, Hodgkins Cove, Plum Cove and in what later became Pigeon Cove and Sandy Bay in Rockport. In the years that followed, other ethnic groups immigrated to Gloucester to fish. Crews of Irish, Portuguese, native born Americans, Nova Scotians, New Foundlanders, Prince Edward Islanders, Italian and various Scandinavian groups fished together and together died at sea. Since records have been kept, over 5,000 Gloucestermen have been lost at sea trying to earn a living and feed the world.
 Local Transportation Information Gloucester is located 30 miles northeast of Boston. The city is part of "Cape Ann". A cape is a point of land projecting out into the sea. The main portion of Gloucester is an island, connected only by two bridges. Other towns making up "Cape Ann" are Rockport, Manchester and Essex.
By car, it is approximately a 45 minutes ride. For directional information, click here. We are also on public rail service. Click here for information on the MBTA's train service out of Boston's North Station. Click here for AMTRAK train service information throughout the northeast and beyond. Gloucester has public bus transportation through the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA). For their schedule, click here.
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Gloucester Visitor Welcoming Center
From the end of May until Halloween, the Gloucester Visitor Welcoming Center is in operation at Stage Fort Park. Questions or requests for brochure packets can be directed there by calling:
1-800-6496839 or (978) 281-8865. During the off season, voice mail messges are responded to weekly.
Directions to the Visitor Center are as follows:Rte. 128 North to Exit 14. At the end of the ramp, bear right onto Rte. 133. Follow Rte. 133 to the end where it intersects with Rte. 127. Gloucester Harbor will be in front of you. Go right and then take your next left into Stage Fort Park.
For other questions, please contact:
Suzanne Silveira
City of Gloucester's Tourism Coordinator
9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 282-4101
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Welcome to America's Oldest Seaport
We are only a short train ride from Boston. And, if you are driving it's much easier to get on and off this "Cape" so come to Gloucester to see what we're all about!.
Before you learn about Gloucester's history, just a couple of announcements -
Please enjoy our web site. Depending on how you arrived at this page, you may have to click on Tourism Office on the left side of this page to open the full menu of items that will give you information about all Gloucester has to offer!
Gloucester's History
America's Oldest Seaport In 1606, Samuel de Champlain came into our harbor and named it "Le Beau Port" or the beautiful port. A number of years later, in 1614, Captain John Smith traveled from Monhegan Island down the coast, ending his journey at Cape Cod. Before that, while passing the cape of land on which Gloucester is now located, he named it "Tragabigzanda" in honor of a Turkish lady who had befriended him when he was a prisoner in her country. Captain Smith then presented a map of the eastern coast to Prince Charles. He named this cape of land Cape Anne after his mother, Anne of Denmark. The name eventually was changed to Cape "Ann".
In 1623, men from Dorchester, England were sent to establish a fishing and trade plantation. That was the first fishing voyage from England to any port in America. In the same year, Edmond, Lord Sheffield, assigned a tract of land called Cape Ann to two men from the Plymouth Colony. They were poor, however, and one traveled back to England for needed help. By the time this gentleman, Edward Winslow, reached England, the Dorchestermen had already arrived. These Dorchestermen established the first permanent settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The men anchored their ship in the harbor and set up fish stages (fish-drying platforms) on "Fishermens' Field". This area is now known as Stage Fort Park. In 1624, Plymouth Colony expelled Church of England clergyman, John Lyford as well as John Oldham to Nantasket where they joined Roger Conant who previously had left Plymouth. The Dorchester Company asked these three to join them and Lyford and Conant agreed to this. Conant became Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In 1625, there was a fight over the fishing stages. Plymouth men, led by Miles Standish and Captain William Pierce, tried to take over the stages. Pierce avoided a battle by abandoning the stage and building another. In 1626, the Dorchestermen were recalled to England after three hard, unsuccessful years. Four of the men stayed and were led by Roger Conant to Naumkeag, or what later became Salem and Beverly. There is conflicting information on whether or not others stayed in Gloucester. But by 1642, other settlers had traveled to Gloucester including the Reverend Richard Blynman from Plymouth with several families. Gloucester was incorporated that year and given its name due to the large number of settlers from Gloucester, England. Fish houses, wharves and drying racks were built around the area including ones in Annisquam, Folly Cove, Hodgkins Cove, Plum Cove and in what later became Pigeon Cove and Sandy Bay in Rockport. In the years that followed, other ethnic groups immigrated to Gloucester to fish. Crews of Irish, Portuguese, native born Americans, Nova Scotians, New Foundlanders, Prince Edward Islanders, Italian and various Scandinavian groups fished together and together died at sea. Since records have been kept, over 5,000 Gloucestermen have been lost at sea trying to earn a living and feed the world.
Created on 2003-10-10 09:00:16 by ssilveira
Updated on 2007-08-01 12:57:05 by ssilveira
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