Name: Gloucester and Cape Ann
Brand: Mr. Ryan A. McRae
SKU: 9781467161176
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Gloucester and Cape Ann

9781467161176

$24.99

Nestled on the island peninsula of Cape Ann on the North Shore of Massachusetts, Gloucester, known as “America’s Oldest Seaport,” was founded in 1623 by farmers and fishermen from Dorchester, England, as the first permanent European settlement in Massachusetts.

This had been the second European attempt at settling the area, and though it initially struggled, Gloucester maintained its status as a fishing village and became a major New England commercial port in the centuries to come. Its growth granted it national notoriety for its robust maritime culture and economy and led to its eventual distinction as a tourist and fine arts destination as well. Additionally, Gloucester is bordered by the towns of Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Essex, all of which have played their own unique roles in the development of the Cape Ann area.

Ryan A. McRae, a historian and native of the North Shore, has carefully cultivated his own collection of original postcards of the area and has used this, as well as his expertise in the field, to effectively narrate and exhibit Gloucester and Cape Ann’s unique history in this medium.

Cover image for Gloucester and Cape Ann, isbn: 9781467161176

Fore River Shipyard

9780738597980

$24.99

Started in 1884 by Thomas A. Watson, who is best known as the person on the other end of Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone call, Fore River Shipyard employed thousands of South Shore-area residents. It was the largest private employer along the South Shore, providing jobs for over 30,000 workers during World War II. Today, Fore River Shipyard is remembered as having accomplished many shipbuilding firsts, including the construction of the USS Long Beach (CGN-9), the first nuclear guided-missile cruiser, which took four years to complete. Through postcards that include early submarines, battleships, destroyers, and ocean liners, Fore River Shipyard celebrates a shipyard that became an integral part of the South Shore community for over a century.

Hudson

9780738562841

$24.99

Hudson began in 1699 as a cluster of small industries in the northern part of the town of Marlborough, situated by the swift-flowing Assabet River. Through the years, the industries prospered and the largely immigrant workers began to bring their families to America from overseas. New homes were soon built for these families as stores, churches, and schools sprang up around town. As this factory neighborhood progressed and became self-reliant, residents petitioned the state government to become their own independent town. Because of their efforts, the town of Hudson was incorporated in 1866.

Osterville

9781467121330

$24.99

In the late 1800s, Osterville emerged as a destination. People would arrive by stagecoach and train to stay at the many inns and lodges around this coastal village. West Bay Inn and East Bay Lodge became social gathering spots where people would stay for weeks or months. Churches, family markets, and the library lined Main Street. In 1914, the Crosby family designed a special racing class of boats--the Wianno Seniors. The Wianno Senior Knockabouts were commissioned by the wealthy families that founded the exclusive clubs Seapuit, Wianno, and Oyster Harbors; Wianno and Oyster Harbors are still known for their golf courses and are enjoyed by residents and visitors today.

Holyoke

9780738535265

$24.99

Originally called Ireland Parish, Holyoke was incorporated as a town in 1850 and took on the namesake of one of its founding settlers and community leaders, Captain Elizur Holyoke. It was an appropriate name for this farming community that became the premier planned industrial city of New England at the beginning of the twentieth century. By damming the Connecticut River and diverting the water into a series of man-made canals, Holyoke pioneered industrial development in western Massachusetts. This led to such rapid growth that by 1873 Holyoke's population had more than tripled, and it had become a city. In the following decades, Holyoke continued to grow and eventually became known as "the Queen of Industrial Cities," a distinction it enjoyed well into the 1920s.

Canton

9780738572031

$24.99

Canton is a town like so many New England towns. Its rich history extends back to Canton's early connections with the founding fathers. An expansive industrial center was made possible by superb water rights and one of the first railroads in the nation. Canton's history is enriched by its strong associations with patriots, industrialists, great thinkers, and doers. Within Canton are postcards and photographs that capture the spirit of enterprise and pride in the community.

Mohawk Trail

9780738550077

$24.99

The Mohawk Trail evokes visions of the ancient, recalls an abundance of historic incidents, and etches memories of nature's bounty. The trail weaves a fabric of both old and modern footprints through a historic college campus, past a fort under siege, down an old mill town's Main Street, up a barrier mountain, around a harrowing curve, and through aweinspiring expanses of nature's finest work. Nothing paints the enchantment of the trail better than the vintage postcards of the early to mid1900s. Mohawk Trail takes the reader on a postcard vacation, retracing the footsteps of the Native Americans and first settlers who made these valleys their home.

Dennis

9780738549897

$24.99

Located on scenic Cape Cod, Dennis experienced a transformation beginning in the early 1900s. What was once a predominantly seafaring- and farming-oriented community grew to become a prime vacation and tourist destination with pristine beaches on both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound and quaint, historic villages, which predate the town's 1793 incorporation. Through vintage postcards from local residents, the Cape Cod Postcard Collectors Club, and the archives of the Dennis Historical Society, Dennis provides an interesting view of this town from the late 1890s to the 1960s. Most of the scenes are highly recognizable to seasonal visitors and residents alike, and illustrate the businesses, streets, homes, and places of interest that make up the fabric of the Dennis community.

Malden

9781467123426

$24.99

By the turn of the 20th century, Malden had become a fairly large city and was home to wealthy families, immigrants, and workers. Farms disappeared as factories and businesses of all types and sizes grew. Elisha Converse, the city's first mayor and founder of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, left his mark on Malden by funding a public library and hospital and designating land for development of Pine Banks Park. A vibrant downtown emerged at the intersection of two colonial roads. It became a regional center of shopping and commerce as well as a hub for transportation by train, trolley, or automobile. The early 1900s were marked by the construction of grand residences, business buildings, numerous parks and churches, and many schools. However, by mid-century, many of these institutions had undergone great change, if they had not entirely disappeared.

Stoughton

9780738564647

$24.99

The town of Stoughton was an agricultural community that transformed in the early 19th century into a booming shoe industry. Later known for high-quality rubber-made goods, ladies shoes, sporting goods, and screw machine products, this community has continued to evolve with growing industry and technology into the 21st century. The images in Stoughton show many familiar town landscapes and buildings and some that have passed on into the pages of history. The dirt roads and trolley tracks of the town's past come alive in penny postcards, and images of factories, schools, churches, Stoughton square, and historic Glen Echo Park illustrate Stoughton's rich history. Many of these postcards have been selected from the author's personal postcard collection.

Quincy

9780738555393

$24.99

Quincy is known as the "City of Presidents" and the "Granite City." It is also known for its waterfront and the Fore River Shipyard. The city produced a president of the Continental Congress and two presidents of the United States. Quincy's granite was used to build the Bunker Hill Monument, Minot Lighthouse, and other cherished buildings around the country. The city's waterfront meanders for 27 miles, and its Fore River Shipyard is famous for manufacturing World War I and II warships. Residents proudly refer to Quincy as home. Quincy explores the many facets of Quincy life as they were uniquely expressed in an early-20th-century phenomenon: the postcard.

Holliston

9781467120678

$24.99

From the town's incorporation in 1724, early settlers were drawn to Holliston's verdant meadows with pleasant landscapes of forest, pond, and gentle hills.

As the centuries unfolded, Holliston was transformed from its humble days as a farming community to the glorious days of the thriving shoe industry and straw hat factories. The postcards from a century ago show that even though very much has changed, Holliston has largely stayed untouched. Scenic Washington Street is lined with the lovingly maintained Colonial-era homes, large steeples can be seen atop the old churches, and locally-owned shops, boutiques, and antique galleries continue to decorate the town square. The town's dedication to preserving its historic charm has made Holliston an appealing home for nearly 300 years, and will continue to do so long into the future.

Maynard

9780738539461

$24.99

Maynard was incorporated in 1871 as a manufacturing community. By 1880, it was one of the most influential towns in Massachusetts. As the population boomed from an expansion in business, postcards became the substantial method of communication. Local photographers took advantage of the events, pictorial venues, and influx of immigrants and visitors to create many unusual postcards of Maynard. Through vintage postcards, Maynard shows how this town, once a farming community, has retained its friendly, small-town character.

Chicopee

9780738537276

$24.99

These vintage postcards illustrate the significant role that manufacturing played in the day-to-day life of the blue-collar community of Chicopee River.

The original meaning of ""Chicopee"" is ""place where water rushes. In 1823, Jonathan Dwight purchased the water privilege at Skenungonuck Falls in Chicopee. Five years later, the textile mill had fourteen thousand spindles and nearly five hundred looms, making it the second-largest operation in Massachusetts. By 1831, there were two giant dams, two waterpower canals, and two manufacturing communities on the Chicopee River. During the next one-hundred years, eight Chicopee River companies gained product recognition around the globe: Ames, Belcher, Lamb, Dwight, Stevens, Spalding, Fisk, and Duryea. These vintage postcards illustrate the significant role that manufacturing played in the day-to-day life of this blue-collar community.

Plymouth

9780738574080

$24.99

Plymouth, famous as the landing place of the Pilgrims in 1620, conjures images of quaintly clad settlers, the first Thanksgiving, and Plymouth Rock. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is the nation's longest enduring English settlement, still thriving four centuries after its founding. In the 19th century, Plymouth became an industrial center with the largest rope-making factory in the world. Immigrant workers revitalized the old Yankee town, making its modern character as much blue collar as blue blood. A developing Plymouth embraced its past, erecting monuments to the Pilgrims and highlighting sites like Burial Hill and Pilgrim Hall. The town became a major destination in the 20th century, attracting tourists and seasonal residents with its antiquity and scenic beauty. From picturesque to gritty, encounter more than the Pilgrims in this postcard history of Plymouth, featuring early-20th-century souvenir views.

Boston's South End

9781467128056

$24.99

Bordered by Back Bay, Roxbury, and Chinatown, the South End was once a tidal marsh with a narrow strip of land connecting the Shawmut Peninsula (today's Downtown Boston) to the neighboring mainland town of Roxbury. Known as the "Boston Neck," that strip of land was the foundation upon which the neighborhood was created in the 19th century. Boston's South End recounts the history of the neighborhood from its inception as a wealthy residential district to a vibrant immigrant community in the early 20th century.

North Adams

9780738549736

$24.99

North Adams is nestled in a comfortable valley in the northern Berkshire Mountains. It exhibits a rich diversity of character, mirrored by its textured and varied environment. The city's history goes back to the 1700s, with a military encounter during the French and Indian War that set the tone for future challenges. Through vintage postcards, North Adams reflects the unique history of this city. The postcards represent what is essentially a "highlight tour" of North Adams, a journey through its first golden era from its incorporation as a city in 1895 to the 1940s. Whether native, newcomer, or tourist, these postcards serve up a taste of North Adams that is both nostalgic and golden."

Abington

9780738536071

$24.99

Once known to native inhabitants as Manamooskeagin, or "the land of many beavers," Abington became an important manufacturing and financial center in Plymouth County by the early twentieth century. Postcard photographers and publishers caught every stage of the community's growth and broadcast it to the world through images of workmen at shoe factories, parades celebrating the town's 1912 bicentennial, and the dedication of the Island Grove Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a nineteenth-century gathering site for abolitionists that is today one of America's newest districts in the National Register of Historic Places. Abington captures the nostalgia of this town during the postcard era.

Weymouth

9780738534947

$24.99

Weymouth offers a glimpse into the history of the Bay State's second-oldest town through one of the most nostalgic media of the early twentieth century: postcards. Between 1902 and 1965, almost anyone or anything of significance in Weymouth was captured by local postcard publishers, such as Hunt's News Room. The cards showed nearly every aspect of life in Weymouth, from maritime commerce and railroads to town fairs and harness racing. With images of local churches, elaborate homes of the early twentieth century, trolley cars, sailboats, and Weymouth war heroes, this compilation, created from the authors' collection of more than eight hundred Weymouth postcards, offers something for collectors and residents alike.

Salem in Vintage Postcards

9780738503301

$24.99

From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Salem, Massachusetts, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.

Danvers

9780738511207

$24.99

Explore the rich history of Danvers, Massachusetts through its' twentieth-century postcard heritage.

From their introduction in the late nineteenth century, picture postcards have been a souvenir staple in every American community. These practical, yet collectable mailers promote local businesses and tourism, and celebrate historic and scenic localities.

Danvers, known as Salem Village during the infamous 1692 witch-hunt, became an independent town in the 1750s. By the twentieth century, local boosters spotlighted the town's rich architectural heritage, local institutions, and vibrant business district by producing a variety of postcard views. Ancient saltbox houses associated with the witchcraft days, eighteenth-century gambrel-roofed dwellings that sheltered Revolutionary Warpatriots, the mansion occupied by famed poet John Greenleaf Whittier, and the Danvers Insane Asylum, a majestic state-operated facility, were frequent postcard subjects.

Richard B. Trask has served as archivist of the town of Danvers since 1972. His love of history has led to restoration of his seventeenth-century home, membership in an eighteenth-century militia reenactment group, and numerous appearances on television. An acknowledged expert on the interpretation of historic photography, Trask has authored six books.

Dorchester

9780738537238

$24.99

In the early twentieth century, Dorchester was called "the model town of New England." It was the most favored residential section of Boston, bathed by ocean winds from the east, picturesque rivers and hills to the south, the finest boulevards and parks to the west, and a great city just ten minutes away via the best rapid-transit system in the world. As a result, the population increased from fifteen hundred during the Revolutionary War to two hundred thousand in the early 1900s. Dorchester looks at this neighborly community of skilled mechanics, tradesmen, and professionals through vintage postcards.

Amesbury

9780738511214

$24.99

Amesbury tells the story of an extraordinary town with an unusually broad manufacturing history. Settled eighteen years after the Pilgrims landed, and chartered in 1668, Amesbury's earliest industries included mills, shipyards, and a busy ferry operation. Amesbury is extremely rich in meticulously preserved Victorian homes, and the four miles of Merrimack River riverfront that wrap along Amesbury's Point Shore area provide a remarkably beautiful year-round panorama. Amesbury's links to the past include the great statesman Josiah Bartlett and poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who penned his best works here, as well as poets Harriet Prescott Spofford and Robert Frost.

Boston Harbor

9780738544816

$24.99

Postcard publishers had plenty to work with in the Boston area at the
beginning of the 20th century, the heyday of the American postcard. The Boston Harbor Islands offered romantic scenery with their stunning natural features, historic lighthouses, and majestic coastal artillery forts. Picturesque summer destinations like Hull and Revere offered everything from sandy beaches to raucous amusement parks to grand hotels. Even the working waterfront in Boston, Quincy's Fore River Shipyard, and quiet Hingham Harbor provided excellent postcard imagery, scenes to be sent home with a "wish you were here" message on the back.

Chatham, Massachusetts

9780738503318

$24.99

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Chatham already had a long New England history and was just emerging as a major coastal resort. During the next 40 years, modern tourism developed, mixing historic buildings and coastal traditions with new features catering to off-Cape visitors. Postcards captured the scenic and cultural beauty of Chatham and documented the tranquil images of the seaside setting. This informative book, filled with local anecdotes and familiar scenes throughout town, covers the period from 1905 to 1940 with nearly two hundred images of the changing Chatham landscape. These pages are filled with details of the people and places that have affected the modern setting of this Cape Cod resort. Most of the scenes are highly recognizable to visitors and give context to our daily lives, enriching our sense of who we are and how we fit into strong local traditions.

Lowell

9780738539324

$24.99

Lowell, a historic industrial city, owes its life to the broad Merrimack River. Renowned for its water-powered textile mills, it was also a city rich in natural beauty, where spiritual and cultural values took root. Postcards from the 1890s to the 1940s bear witness to riverscapes, varied waterways, arched bridges, and green parks. Vintage cards depict grand churches and stately mansions, some now altered or gone, and rare interior views. Informative text accompanies the images of yellowbricked colleges, pastoral neighboring environs, dignified cemeteries, and imposing monuments, such as the captivating Lion Monument.

Boston

9780738565415

$24.99

From 1901 to 1960, the picture postcard recorded almost every aspect of life in the city of Boston. Through the vintage postcards in Boston, readers will tour the city's Emerald Necklace and green spaces, visit Boston's old waterfront, understand Boston's part in America's Revolutionary War, and see the diversity of the city's many museums, churches, libraries, colleges, and internationally famous hospitals. Postcard images depict the many events that have shaped the historic city of Boston.

Mount Holyoke College

9780738505183

$24.99

Early missives from Mount Holyoke College for women reveal a look at postcards from students at the groundbreaking institution.

By the turn of the nineteenth century, Mount Holyoke College had already built a strong reputation as a female seminary and was emerging as a top-ranked women's college, especially for students in the sciences. Around this time, postcards were becoming a popular and entertaining form of communication. In this attractive and fascinating volume, we get a glimpse of the early images of the school, as well as the messages written by students in attendance as they kept in touch with friends and family. As the school grew and changed, so did the messages sent home from the campus.

Around Great Barrington

9780738574769

$24.99

Long before cell phones, Facebook, and e-mail, the penny postcard was an inexpensive, yet effective way to send brief thoughts and interesting images to friends and family. Today these vintage "snail-mail snapshots" are considered historic treasures, offering insight into our remarkable past. Startling changes have occurred in South Berkshire since the first picture postcards were mailed at the dawn of the 20th century. In Around Great Barrington, rarely seen views of Great Barrington, Housatonic, Van Deusenville, and nearby villages provide a fascinating portal into our past. Residents and visitors will find amazing sights and plenty of surprises inside this book.

Pittsfield

9781467134729

$24.99

Pittsfield is the center of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. For centuries, visitors have traveled trails, railroads, and highways across the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts to enjoy the serene beauty of Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes, shop on bustling North Street, or stay at a fine hotel. Many more moved here from across the country and around the world to work at Pittsfield's farms and factories. Since the early 19th century, Pittsfield has been host to woolen mills and General Electric's factories, hotels and motels, hospitals and schools, and much more. Cultural sites, such as Arrowhead, where Herman Melville wrote Moby-Dick, and Park Square, the location of the first agricultural fair ever held in the United States, continue to attract visitors to the city.

Springfield

9780738556772

$24.99

Springfield is a city rich with history and a tradition of innovation. Dubbed the "City of Firsts," it has been influencing change since 1786, when the city was the site of Shays' Rebellion, the revolutionary uprising that prompted early Americans to form the Constitutional Convention. The city is the birthplace of the first American gas-powered car and the American motorcycle. In the 1930s, the pioneering Granville Brothers manufactured the airplanes that tore up the skies over Springfield during the golden age of air racing. Spring field is also the home of Dr. Seuss, the counter-culture hero Timothy Leary, and the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Onset and Point Independence

9781467116466

$24.99

Inaugurated in 1877 as a camp meeting ground by eastern Massachusetts residents who believed in communication with the dead, Onset quickly emerged as the nation's leading spiritualist summer community. By 1900, however, spiritualism had been overwhelmed by an influx of tourists, and Onset subsequently developed as a secular summer resort noted for its scenic bluffs, recreational pursuits, and beaches. At this same time, neighboring Point Independence found wide appeal among middle-class vacationers interested in swimming, sailing, and relaxation.

Worcester

9780738538648

$24.99

At the beginning of the 20th century, Worcester was one of the largest inland industrial cities in the world. The city boasted a diverse manufacturing base that drew immigrants from all over the globe. At this time, the postcard was a valuable and inexpensive way for friends and families to keep in touch with one another. The vintage postcards in Worcester show cherished recreation and leisure time in the city and highlight public places such as Elm Park. This book evokes memories of a simpler, slower-paced city.

Along Route 6 in Massachusetts

9781467126069

$24.99

Route 6 in Massachusetts runs from Provincetown to Seekonk and passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. What had once been a mere footpath for Native Americans, then widened for the use of stagecoaches, Route 6 would be officially designated the "King's Highway" in 1920. The moniker was extremely unpopular with the local residents, so much so that the governor officially changed the name to the Grand Army of the Republic Highway in 1937. Depicted from the author's personal collection of postcards from the 1920s to the 1960s, Route 6 winds its way around tiny fishing villages, sand dunes, marshes, beaches, lighthouses, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and historic cities. The combination of Route 6 and the automobile would make Cape Cod a world-renowned tourist destination.

Chelsea

9780738536095

$24.99

Using stereoviews and postcards, Chelsea chronicles ninety-five years of the city's glorious past as it emerged from agrarian roots to become an important industrial center and home for thousands of European immigrants. The pages are filled with more than one hundred eighty historic views, documenting Chelsea's history from the post-Civil War era to the Vietnam decade. Highlighted are the 1867 Water Celebration, the great fire of 1908, the city's rebirth during Reconstruction, the expansion of the Naval Hospital during World War I (today's Admirals Hill), Prattville, the Soldiers Home, the post-World War I era, and much more. This volume will excite anyone who is preservation minded and enjoys local history.