After living here for almost 10 years, two people told me separately yesterday about a huge rock that acts as a pivoting gate on a trail that runs between the old Rose Garden and the former Casino at the Crane Estate. Mr. Richard Crane liked to surprise his guests by turning the stone to let them through. I took a hike there today and discovered that it still operates! Based on its size I estimate the rock weighs over two tons.
I parked my car at Crane Beach and headed along Argilla Road toward the Castle entrance. If you walk up the old closed driveway closest to Crane Beach you will have a wonderful view of the ocean and Cape Ann on your right. Annisquam is in the far distance. Shown below are photos from today’s walk, including the stone in closed and open positions!
Continuing up the hill there is a great view of Fox Creek and the Great Salt Marsh
You’ll come to a set of steel gates on the right. Take a short trail on the left toward the abandoned Rose Garden.
This whole area is just wonderful! We were given a guided tour from a former head lifeguard at Crane Beach. I felt like the Crane Castle grounds were familiar to me. But I had never been there before. The atmosphere filled my soul.