1893 Map of Gloucester

About this map

Cape Ann presents a detailed maritime landscape in this late 19th-century survey, centered on the bustling fishing hub of Gloucester. The map captures the intricate coastline from the granite quarries near Rockport and Lanesville to the sheltered waters of Gloucester Harbor. Inland, the Boston and Maine Railroad carves through the terrain, connecting West Gloucester Station and Magnolia Station to the regional network. Settlement patterns are clearly defined, showing the cluster of homes at Freshwater Cove Village and the isolated maritime outposts like Squam Light. The maritime economy of the era is evident in the dense network of coves, such as Whale Cove and Loblolly Cove, and the strategic placement of navigational aids on Eastern Point and Thacher Island. This survey provides a precise look at the North Shore's transition from an industrial quarrying and fishing center to a destination for summer residents at locales like Bass Rocks.