Follow the Ipswich River, starting at the Willowdale Dam and continuing past all four stone arch bridges in Ipswich, then along Water Street to the Town Wharf and out to sea. Many of these photos were digitally developed from original glass negatives taken by three early Ipswich photographers, and others generously shared from private collections and the Ipswich Museum .
- Arthur Wesley Dow, the famous Ipswich artist who operated a summer art school at the Howard House on Turkey Shore Rd. Dow and George Dexter were friends and were photography enthusiasts.
- George Dexter, early Ipswich photographer. These glass plate negatives are from the collection of Robert Cronin, Ipswich native. Dexter left his collection of glass plates in the barn owned by Cronin’s father. Robert wrote about working at his father’s store on the wharf.
- Edward L. Darling, glass plate negatives courtesy of Bill Barton, from the collection of Bill’s late grandfather William J. Barton. In the 1960’s, William J. Barton wrote his memories of these locations on the back of his framed collection of Darling photographs.
More photos and additional information:
Along the Ipswich River: Historic photos of the Ipswich River from original glass negatives taken by early Ipswich photographers Arthur Wesley Dow, George Dexter and Edward L. Darling.
The Ipswich River: The 35-mile Ipswich River flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay. The Ipswich River Water Association works to protect the river and its watershed. Foote Brothers Canoes on Topsfield Rd provides rentals and shuttle service from April to October.
The Industrial History of the Ipswich River: The Industrial History of the Ipswich River was produced for the Ipswich 375th Anniversary by John Stump, volunteer for the Ipswich Museum, and Alan Pearsall, who produced the Ipswich Mural with funding from EBSCO.
The Choate Bridge: The American Society of Civil Engineers cites the Choate Bridge in Ipswich as the oldest documented two-span masonry arch bridge in the U.S., and the oldest extant bridge in Massachusetts.
The Old Town Landings and Wharfs: Many a pleasant sail down the river are in the memories of William J. Barton. “These were the names of the places and flats along the Ipswich River before my time, and familiar to me during my time. They were used by the fishermen and clammers. I know. I was one of them. It was the happiest time of my life.”
When Herring Were Caught by Torchlight: In the late 19th Century, most of the men around the river would look forward to “herringing” when fall arrived. The foot of Summer Street was the best landing. One year so many herring were caught, they were dumped in the Parker River, and Herring did not return for many years.
County Street, Sawmill Point, and bare hills: The town voted in 1861 to build County Street and its stone arch bridge, connecting Cross and Mill Streets. A Woolen mill, saw mill, blacksmith shop and veneer mill operated near the bridge.
The Town Wharf: The Ipswich Town Landing is one of several locations along the River where wharves were located over the centuries.
Diamond Stage: In 1673, two fishermen from the Isles of Shoals, Andrew Diamond and Harry Maine, arrived together in Ipswich. Mr. Diamond built a platform for salting and shipping fish, and became quite successful. The location is still known today as Diamond Stage.
Water Street: In the book, Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Volume I, Thomas Franklin Waters recorded the history of Water Street, which is part of an early public right-of-way that extended from the wharf to the Green Street Bridge, then cotinued along the Sidney Shurcliff Riverwalk to County St.
Visit the Ipswich River Watershed Association site
Clicking on a photo opens a slideshow. Exit the slideshow by clicking on the small X in the upper left corner.
- Footbridge from South Main to the Mill, circa 1900. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Just above the dam was Goodhue’s Boathouse, at the end of Peatfield St.
- The Ice House
- Looking back from downriver. Photo by George Dexter.
- The ruins of Dr. Manning’s mill at Willowdale
- Ipswich Jail
- Parades were longer, and wouund throughout town.
- Sylvania Plant
- The Choate Bridge, with the Caldwell Building on the left and the Ipswich Female Seminary beyond it.
- Green St. Bridge view from Water St. Photo by George Dexter.
- Above the Mill dam. Photo courtesy of Bruce Lord
- Rear of Market Street buildings, by Arthur Wesley Dow
- “Little Venice” is the name Arthur Wesley Dow gave to the rear of houses and shops on South Main St.
- Looking back at the Green Street Bridge and the jail from Turkey Shore. Photo by George Dexter.
- Great Cove, view of the jail from Turkey Shore. Photo by George Dexter.
- Warner Bridge, Mill Road
- The Choate Bridge. On the right is the building that was Emmie’s Bridal Shop.
- 19th Century mills at the County St. Bridge
- View of Summer St. from Turkey Shore by George Dexter.
- The three churches, taken from Turkey Shore
- The Choate Bridge, from the northeast riverbank. Many people remember the building on the right as Bill’s Store.
- Little Neck, circa 1900
- Little Venice, by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Agawam Ave., just beyond the Wharf
- Two girls standing on Ringbolt Rock
- The Green St. Bridge and the Howard House. Photo by George Dexter.
- Clam shacks on Water St. at high tide. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- The Town Wharf circa 1930
- Looking across to Summer St. from the little park on Turkey Shore. Photo by Edward L. Darling.
- Glazier-Sweet house on Water St. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Looking across to Turkey Shore, photo by George Dexter.
- This house on Water St was just past the clam shacks. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Clam shacks Water Street, Ipswich
- The lower part of Ipswich River from the Green Street Bridge.
- View of the County Street mills from the Cove at Poplar St. Photo by Edward L. Darling.
- Schooner at the mouth of the Ipswich River.
- County St. Bridge, photo by George Dexter, before 1900
- The lower wharf before 1870
- The Green St. Bridge
- County St. Bridge
- River View Cash Market, 1935. Photo courtesy of Robert Cronin, who wrote his memories of his father’s store on the Town Wharf.
- Wreck of the Ada K. Damon
- Ipswich River by George Dexter
- Relaxing on Turkey Shore
- Photo of wharf beside Fred Cronin’s store, about 1935
- Earliest photo of Little Neck
- Clam boats on Water St. with Glover’s Wharf in the background. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- County St. and the two steeples circa 1860, before the Ascension Church was built. The identify of the building directly behind the Methodist Church is unknown. The former Episcopal parsonage is at that location now.
- Clam shacks on Water St, low tide, by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Coal schooner at Glover’s Wharf
- Clam shacks, with the earlier wooden Green St. Bridge in the background. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow.
- Clam boats before the Town Wharf was built, with East Street on the left, and Agawam Ave. in the background. Photo by George Dexter.
- Water Street from Summer to Green Street was called “Clam Shell Alley.”
- View from across the River, photo by George Dexter.
- The Carlotta
- “This was Brown’s Wharf. William G. Brown dealt in wood, coal, lime, sand and cement.
- Shucking clams on Turkey Shore. Glover’s and Brown’s Wharves are across the River. Photo by George Dexter.
- Heading out from the wharf, Ringbolt rock is on the right
- the Town Wharf circa 1890, and the masts of a coal schooner unloading in front of Brown’s wharf and warehouse
- Glover’s wharf and Brown’s Wharf
- View from Steep Hill: Ipswich River and Plum Island Sound. Little Neck is upper left. Photo by George Dexter
- View of Water Street from the Green Street Bridge
- Ringbolt rock, boats and wharves
- Near the town wharf, 1930
- The Green St. Bridge is ahead, with the jail on the left, photo by Edward L. Darling
- Ipswich town wharf, beside Fred Cronin’s store, 1935
- Water St.
- The Ipswich Mills
This was really wonderful. Thank you. I do hope you’re considering putting together a book of these photos and that you preserve the wonderful tones and coloring . It would be great to see this published in print with all the captions you’ve provided. Let me know if it’s ever published it would be great to have a copy. My earliest North American ancestor spent part of his boyhood hear back in the 1600s I’d love to have this to look at. Sam. NYC
LikeLike
Lovely pictures – especially of Choate and Country Street arched bridges. Delightful reminiscences.
Re the steamer Charlotta – “It was always high tide at eleven o’clock on a full moon, so they would start the return trip home. There was no music on the return trip. Every one would cuddle up to someone on the steamer as it was cold in the early morning, and enjoy the full moon. After all, that was what this excursion was run for.” Sounds wonderful.
Ipswich has such an interesting topography which these old photos really capture. Thank you!
LikeLike
Wonderful photos.
LikeLike