At the beginning of the 20th Century, Cape Ann was a popular destination for tourists. Gloucester’s grand hotels were the subject of “The Summer Hotel Guide,” published in 1905. Images and text are available through Archive.org:
“This little book will rejoice in the thought that it has accomplished its mission if in interesting you in Gloucester, it has added another to the long list of friends of this quaintly beautiful seaport town. If it could speak it would say to you, ” Gloucester welcomes you to her shores, and invites you to enjoy with us the delightful climate and varied attractiveness which she offers.”
To Reach Gloucester, Gloucester, Massachusetts— the place you come back to — is situated on that rugged promontory known as Cape Ann, where cooling ocean breezes blow continually from off the broad Atlantic. It is thirty miles from Boston from which it may be reached by Train, Steamer, Trolley or Automobile. About sixteen trains daily leave the North Station, Boston, via the Boston & Maine Railroad, direct for Gloucester, the Express Trains reaching Gloucester in less than an hour.
The Steamer trip on the finely equipped steamers of the Boston & Gloucester Steamboat Company is a two-hour ocean sail along the beautiful North Shore, with a varied scenic view of which there is no superior. By Trolley the trip is delightfully varied on account of the ever changing panorama of beautiful scenery of sea and shore, country and city. Only one change of cars is required between Boston and Gloucester. An Automobile Trip to Gloucester is made over a fine stretch of State Highway and Ocean Boulevard.”
Hotel Delphine
The Fairview
“The Fairview is located at East Gloucester on elevated ground overlooking the waters of picturesque Gloucester Harbor”
Brynmere
“The Brynmere is located at Annisquam at a point where the River meets the open sea, where a fine view of Annisquam River, Coffin’s Beach and the sea, may be obtained.”
The Oceanside Hotel, Gloucester MA, circa 1900.
“The Oceanside is located at Magnolia, Mass., within a few minutes’ walk of Magnolia Beach and the open Ocean.
The Pavillion Beach Hotel
The Surfside Hotel, formerly Pavilion Hotel
“The Surfside is located on Western Avenue, Gloucester, directly on the ocean front.”
Colonial Arms: Built 1904 – by George Stacy, End of Niles Beach. 300 rooms – booked solidly for 4 seasons Burnt New Year’s Eve 1908, Beauport was being built next door – possible sparks from chimney started fire
Moorland Hotel at Bass Rocks
“The Moorland is located at Bass Rocks within a short distance of Good Harbor Beach and directly on the broad Atlantic.”
“The Aborn Hotel and Cottages are located at Magnolia, Mass., within a very short distance from the Ocean and within a hundred yards of the famous Kettle Rocks.”
“The Grand View is located on high land on Annisquam Point commanding a splendid view of Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay.”
The Hawthorne Inn
“The Hawthorne Inn’and Cottages are located at East Gloucester on the Harbor’s edge, affording a most picturesque view of Gloucester Harbor.”
“The Beachcroft is located at Eastern Point within a stone’s throw of a beautiful bathing beach.”
“The Edgecliffe is located at High Rocks, near Long Beach, right on the Atlantic Ocean, offering splendid opportunities for fishing and surf bathing.”
The Hesperus Hotel in Magnolia
“The Hesperus is located at Magnolia, Mass., within a short distance of Magnolia Beach and the open sea.”
Hotel Thorwald
“The Thorwald is located at Bass Rocks, two hundred yards from Good Harbor Beach with its splendid surf bathing.”
“The Overlook is located at Annisquam on a commanding eminence offering a beautiful view of the waters of Annisquam River and the surrounding country.”
The Harbor View Hotel was on Wonson Cove in East Gloucester. The large hotel was home to many summer artists, including Gordon Grant and Tom O’Hara (bellhop in the 20’s
The Rockaway House was built in 1896 on the homestead estate of William Rackliffe. This summer hotel was managed by Rackliffe’s son-in-law, Captain Frank Foster. Built on what Rocky Neckers once called “Scandal Hill,” The Rockaway House is one of the rare hotel buildings from this period still standing in Gloucester but has been significantly altered. See the comments below.
The Chicataubut Inn on Long Beach, as it appears today
The Chicataubut Inn on Long Beach, circa 1900
Thanks for work you’ve done to pull this all together. This is a great place to vicariously experience the grand-hotel age of the North Shore. It’s a shame there’s not a lot of evidence left of it.
The comment regarding the Rockaway is not quite accurate. As near as we can tell, the images you show are of the original Hotel and the original annex. We believe the original annex was torn down in 1905 to create the new annex which does still exists as condominiums today. The gabled roofline was build to mimic the hotel’s gabled roofline. The Hotel itself partially burned down, was rebuilt and then was torn down and used to sit in the area now occupied by the newer condo Townhouse’s driveway.
I would love to know more about the name “Scandal Hill” as I’ve not been able to find any reference to it elsewhere (but I do love it). If anyone is interested, there’s a book on Amazon set in the last days of the Rockaway, called “In a Place Like No Other” by Ed Touchette.
In response to the question by Robert Publicover, the answer is yes, In 1902, the
Fosters sold the boarding house to William Alexander Publicover who created the Hotel. We have some historical documents showing him selling the rights to Fremont St. to the town.
There’s a good history here:
https://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/art_trail/Trail%20Site%2011_Rockaway.pdf
There are some additional historical photos, mainly from old post cards. Do a google image search with the hotel’s name and the word “Postcard”.
Thanks again – excellent page and great historical resource!
LikeLike
Do you know anything about one of the first hotels in Gloucester, a Grahamite (vegie?) temperance hotel run by Rev. George C. Leach and wife Elizabeth (Allen) 1843 ff, a stop on the Underground Railroad?
LikeLike
Does anyone have any information on the the boarding house in Magnolia ma called “El. Unico”? There is a photo online twitch the caption
LikeLike
Thank you so much for those pictures. You have completed a genealogical question. My gr gr grandmother’s niece was from St. Louis, but the MO record said she died in Gloucester. I could not find Gloucester, Missouri any where. Finally, the MA death records showed her dying in Gloucester, MA, and a social column said she and her family summered at the Ocean Side in Magnolia. Thank you,
I can now rest. 😉
LikeLike
Thanks so much for including Harbor View House. I remember my childhood summers skipping over the rocks along the shore, and gleefully running along that marvelous veranda! Memories of my grandparents and parents and me enjoying two weeks together each summer in Gloucester while staying there came flooding back when I saw your photo. Lots of tears fell for its loss! Memories of feeding the gulls while waiting for delicious dinners at Headlands” Restaurant and visiting the lovely shops and galleries on Rocky Neck abound as well.
LikeLike
My Great-great grandfather Daniel William Fuller built the Hesperus in Magnolia and operated it until his fatal fall down a mine shaft in Leadville, Colorado in 1880. I would be interested in any and all info anyone might have about the Hesperus.
LikeLike
Precious archive photographies and stories, thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you for adding The Rockaway. It is my understanding that my grandfather William A. Publicover, Sr. ran it for several years and owned it by 1898. If that is not correct please point me toward the historical information. Thank you, Robert Publicover
LikeLike
Yes, In 1902, the
Fosters sold the boarding house to William Alexander Publicover who created the Hotel. We have some historical documents showing him selling the rights to Fremont St. to the town.
There’s a good history here:
https://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/art_trail/Trail%20Site%2011_Rockaway.pdf
LikeLike
I remember when I got out of the Navy in 1954 or shortly thereafter they was a firebug burning them all down. My stepfather took care of the boilers in the Ocean Side for a couple of years, and he used to bring home the best dessert that was left over from some of their meals. Time Marches On.
LikeLike
Fascinating! Having spent my whole childhood there I was unaware that there were so many grand hotels in Gloucester. I should buy all 3 of those books!
LikeLike
where is the Conomo hotel in all of this?
LikeLike
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.essexma.org/pages/essexma_selectmen/CPR/HISTORY.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwj98K64wI_RAhWE6CYKHQA8A4IQFggrMAM&usg=AFQjCNGMFF9qTU6rmY4meBm4_6LRACQ_3g&sig2=6NuAnrW8zgZqFPqH-vS1bg
LikeLike
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~macessex/ehardy/eh017.html
LikeLike
Just wondering why the Harbor View Hotel in east gloucester on Wonson cove wasn’t included.
It was a big one and home to many summer artists such as Gordon Grant and Tom O’hara (bellhop in the 20’s). Perhaps it was under construction or unbuilt. I was under the impression that it was built in the late 1800’s.
Per[
LikeLike
Thanks for the information–I added the Harbor View.
LikeLike
Hello. My name is Ann Shaw. Would you have any photos/ information about The Chicataubut Inn that was on Long Beach? I believe it is now condos. Would love to know the history of it. Thank you, Ann
LikeLike
https://vintagerockport.com/2015/01/04/family-photos-of-long-beach-in-1920-and-1936/
LikeLike
Thanks Ann, I found some before and after photos and added them to the post.
LikeLike
Excellent! Thank you for your research and photos.
LikeLike
Love this! I know of so many of these (some are still standing). Thanks!
LikeLike
These are great. One mistake – Your “Moorland” photo is actually the Colonial Arms which was at the end of Niles Beach on Eastern Point.
Colonial Arms:
Built 1904 – by George Stacy
End of Niles Beach
300 rooms – booked solidly for 4 seasons
Burnt New Year’s Eve 1908
Beauport was being built next door – possible sparks from chimney started fire
I can send you images of both if you want, but can’t seem to attach them through this email system.
LikeLike
Thanks, I made the correction, added a photo of the Moorland and added your history of the Colonial Arms. I would appreciate any images you want to send–email historicipswich@gmail.com
LikeLike
I loved seeing these but kept expecting to see pictures of The Rockaway House Hotel on Rocky Neck.
LikeLike
Thanks, I added the Rockaway at the end of the story.
LikeLike
It’s there, a couple of entries just above.
LikeLike
Wish it was still the same as when we were all there 🙂
LikeLike