Cape Ann Granite Industry

The entirety of cape ann lies within essex county anchored by the city of gloucester the nexus of the local fishing industry other towns on cape ann include rockport at the tip of the cape and the towns of essex and manchester by the sea which are located where cape ann joins the mainland.

Cape ann granite industry.

Louis rogers final treasurer of the rockport granite company he preserved corporate records which he bequeathed to the harvard baker library in april 1953. There is a good 2. The cape ann granite industry became successful for a number of reasons. 5 0 out of 5 stars aptly named.

Ellen day hale the cape ann quarries harper s new monthly magazine no. Granite quarrying started slowly in this area in the late 18th century with small operations peppered across the rocky terrain. My copy is a 1987 hardback reprint by peter smith gloucester mass. A timeline of three individuals who might standout out as central figures in the preservation of what the day to day life of the granite industry on cape ann was like.

Reviewed in the united states on october 11 2009. Quarrying reached its zenith about the year 1910. Construction of a fort at castle island in boston harbor in 1798 followed by a jail in nearby salem in 1813 jump started the granite business here on cape ann. During the 1830s and 1840s the trade grew steadily.

The granite industry gradually expanded throughout the 19th century to the point where it actually superseded the fishing industry in rockport as the town s primary business.