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.

"Mother Ann" on Eastern Point	Waves off Bass Rocks
"At the Cut" - Blynman Bridge	Gloucester Harbor
Gloucester Harbor from Stage Fort Park	Eastern Point Lighthouse
Eastern Point Lighthouse	Rafe's Chasm
Gloucester Marine Railways

Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities. Since the program’s inception in 2003, the First Lady of the United States has served as the Honorary Chair of Preserve America. Detailed information on all aspects of this initiative can be found at www.preserveamerica.gov.