Massachusetts may not be the largest state in our country, but it is certainly not lacking in history. The Bay State holds some of the oldest structures in the country including the oldest candy company and the oldest farm. Did you know that one of America’s oldest surviving bridges can also be found in Massachusetts? The Choate Bridge in Ipswich will be 260 years old this year!
The Choate Bridge is quite a sight to see. The picturesque bridge located on South Main Street in downtown Ipswich spans the Ipswich River. It is amazing to think that this bridge is actually older than America itself! It is one of my favorite sights in the area.
In 1972, the Choate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is recognized to be the oldest surviving double-stone-arch bridge not only in the United States but throughout North America.
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The stone bridge was built in 1764 and replaced a wooden cart bridge that succumbed to flooding and wear. The “new” bridge was originally one lane and was approximately 80 feet long and 20 feet wide. It was widened in 1839 to add a second traffic lane.
The double arches at the bottom of the bridge are simply stunning!
The Choate is named after Ipswich resident, Colonel John Choate, who oversaw the building process. Choate also served in the Court of Common Pleas and as Justice of the Court of Sessions.
Can you imagine the history that this bridge has seen over the years? From men on horseback to early automobiles to modern-day vehicles, so many people have crossed this amazing structure.
This little spot in Ipswich is not only known for its place in history but also for its food. The nearby Choate Bridge Pub, named after the bridge, is a great place to go for some fresh seafood, delicious pizza, and cold beer.
Have you visited this amazing bridge? How did it compare to other historic bridges in the state? For more fun on the Ipswich River, why not try your hand at kayaking? It is a great place for beginners. If you are interested in viewing more amazing historical photos of the Choate Bridge, I suggest checking out the book, Ipswich by William M Varrell and the Ipswich Historical Society.
If you live in Gloucester, MA, you may already be familiar with the story of the most iconic statue in town. If you're a visitor, you may have noticed it, wondered about it, or not thought much about it at all. Regardless, the Fisherman's Memorial in Gloucester is certainly the most recognizable landmark in town. Standing and looking out towards Gloucester Bay, this memorial in Massachusetts has a story, and we are going to tell you all about it.
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The small coastal city of Gloucester is found on Cape Ann. The area was first settled in 1623 and was incorporated in 1642. It was named after Gloucester, England where the first settlers emigrated from.
As the nation's oldest seaport port, Gloucester is known for its fishing industry. Its maritime history has helped shape the town into what it is today.
The most notable landmark within the city is an eight-foot-tall bronze cenotaph statue of a fisherman behind a ship's wheel. The Gloucester statue stands atop a five-foot granite base with the words "They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships, 1623-1923" engraved on it.
Also known as the "Man at the Wheel" and "Fishermen's Memorial Cenotaph," Gloucester's Fisherman's Memorial was designed by an English sculptor by the name of Leonard Craske. His design was part of an artistic competition for Gloucester's 300th anniversary. In 1925, it was cast and placed along Stacy Esplanade.
The Gloucester fisherman statue is dedicated to the more than 5,000 fishermen who lost their lives at sea since 1623 when Gloucester was first settled. Over the centuries, shipwrecks and drownings were all too common along stormy seas and the rocky Massachusetts coastline, and too many people died.
The statue depicts a fisherman clutching the wheel of his boat as if trying to steer through stormy seas. It looks out onto Gloucester Harbor as if to honor those who perished. It's quite a moving statue and a must-visit landmark in Gloucester that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Have you seen the Fisherman's Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts? What did you think of it? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Better yet, visit the "man at the wheel" in Gloucester during your weekend getaway at this historic cottage near Plum Cove Beach.
Hundreds of statues are sprinkled over parks, sidewalks, and squares all around the Boston area. Many of these pay tribute to notable Revolutionary War figures such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, but there are also many other tributes to authors, sports heroes, historical figures, and even some famous food and drinks. Behind every statue is a great story and I'm here to tell you about a few of these.
If you are a sports fan, you will definitely recognize the man who inspired the statue located outside of the TD Garden. Bobby Orr was a legendary athlete who played for the Boston Bruins hockey team for 10 seasons. The statue, designed by Harry Weber in 2010, depicts Orr scoring the winning goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup playoff game. The most fascinating thing about this sculpture is the detailed look on Orr’s face as he flies through the air.
Just outside Boston’s Old City Hall is a bronze statue of an adorable donkey. Now referred to as Democratic Donkey, this symbol of an American political party actually came from Italy. A man named Roger Webb purchased it from a store in Florence and had it shipped back to Boston with the intention that it would be placed along the
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" target="_blank">Freedom Trail. His initial attempts at securing a proper place along the trail were denied. It was only when Webb argued that the donkey could be seen as a representation of the city’s dominating Democratic Party that he was granted permission to install the sculpture. A set of “Republican footprints” face the donkey in opposition.
One of the most well-known statues in the city is Nancy Schön’s Make Way For Ducklings sculpture, located in the Boston Public Garden. This one is also one of my favorites! Based on Robert McCloskey’s children’s picture book by the same name, this statue of the local Mallard family has been delighting tourists and locals since 1987. You will often find the ducks dressed up for the holidays or celebrating notable sports events. A picture of your children riding on their backs is always a treasured Boston memento.
In the nearby Boston Common lies one of Boston’s newest statues. The Embrace was installed in late 2022. The statue by Hank Willis Thomas depicts the hands of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King as they hug. The couple met while attending school in Boston. Since its installation, the statue's appearance has been a subject of controversy. A second statue dedicated to King is located at Boston University where he attended theology school.
Just off the Common, at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets, is a statue that pays tribute to author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was born in Boston in 1809 but did not have a favorable view of its citizens. The bronze statue, which was created by Stephanie Rocknak and installed in 2014 in Edgar Allan Poe Square, depicts Poe quickly walking down the street as though trying to get away hastily. Poe carries an open briefcase and next to him flies a large raven.
Another set of statues that pay tribute to an important piece of literature and sports history can be found in Copley Square just outside the Trinity Church. The turtle and the rabbit sculptures represent the tortoise and the hare from Aesop’s fable. The sculpture’s creator, Nancy Schön (who also designed the Make Way for Duckling statue), wished to dedicate a statue to the athletes who participated in the Boston Marathon. The tortoise and the hare represent the slow, the fast, and everyone in between. The statue was installed in 1994 an is located a short distance from the marathon finish line.
A statue that certainly gets quite a bit of attention is located in Boston’s
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" target="_blank">Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Celtics coach Red Auerbach sits on a bench, smoking a cigar, and watching as shoppers and tourists pass by. Many stop and have their picture taken with him. The statue of Auerbach by artist Lloyd Lillie was installed in 1985 on the coach’s 68th birthday.
For a good cup of joe and an interesting piece of local history, head to the Starbucks in Government Center. Outside the building hangs a gigantic golden tea kettle that blows steam from its spout. The kettle dates back to 1873 and has a very interesting
This list of unique statues would not be complete without mentioning the Clapp Pear Statue. This 12-foot pear rests just outside the city in Edwards Everett Square in Dorchester. Way back in 1830, a man named Thaddeus Clapp crossed a Flemish Beauty Pear and a Bartlett Pear and in doing so, created a brand new variety, which he named the Clapp’s Favorite Pear. The enormous statue acknowledges his delicious accomplishment. The pear, which has been a symbol of the neighborhood since 2007, was designed by Laura Baring-Gould.
There are many other fascinating statues to discover within the city and beyond. If you have a statue that you think is of particular interest, please tell us all about it. If you would like to purchase prints of the Make Way For Duckling Statue or the Bobby Orr statue, you can do so on Etsy.
