2021 Map of Gloucester

About this map

Gloucester occupies a jagged, boulder-strewn coastline where the Massachusetts shore meets the open Atlantic Ocean. The topography is defined by high points like Heap of Rocks Hill and Wolf Hill, which descend into a network of freshwater bodies including Fernwood Lake and the interconnected Upper Banjo Pond and Lower Banjo Pond. The maritime character of the settlement is evident in the infrastructure, most notably the Blynman Drawbridge which provides vital passage for vessels moving through the harbor. Local history and genealogy are deeply etched into the landscape through numerous well-preserved sites such as the First Parish Burial Ground and several large cemeteries like Oak Grove Cem and Mount Pleasant Cem. Along the periphery, the rugged granite shoreline is punctuated by notable geological features like Rafes Chasm and the protected waters of Southeast Harbor.