Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/960054
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 32 APRIL 2018 Across the bridge sits Stage Fort Park, originally a spot where 17th-century fisher- men laid out their catch to dry in the sun. Today, a large playground, sports facilities, and a pair of hidden-gem beaches make the park a perennial favorite with locals and visitors alike. On the other side of the harbor, jutting off the neighborhood of East Gloucester, Rocky Neck has been home to an artists' colony since the mid-19th century. Homer, Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam, and local Fitz Henry Lane were among the artists who painted or lived there. Today, Rocky Neck retains this creative spirit. A stroll through "the Neck" reveals scenic glimpses of boatyards and rocky shore that could inspire even the most casual artist. A handful of restaurants offer quality food and an eclectic atmosphere, and galleries sell paintings, pottery, photography, and other artistic works. Right off the peninsula, the Gloucester Stage Company produces profes- sional theatre in an intimate setting. "ere's a great tradition here, but it's still fresh," says Peter Webber, senior vice president of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. "It's an area that draws artists across the spectrum." Stretching out from Rocky Neck, Eastern Point Road and Atlantic Road wrap around the edge of East Gloucester, offering stunning views of wave-battered rocks, lobster boats plying the waters, and seabirds hunting for food or sunning themselves. Painters can often be seen setting up their easels on the rocks to capture the ever-evolving scene. Nearby, Good Harbor Beach offers a great place to lounge on the sand or take a stroll; the wooden bridge that spans the creek at one end is—rightfully—one of the most painted and photographed sights in the city. Along Route 127, the mostly residential neighborhoods of Annisquam, Riverdale, and Lanesville offer nonstop picturesque views and a quirky vibe. Sights include the granite bridge near Annisquam, the rocky inlets at Plum Cove and Folly Cove, and a buoy-bedecked shed. Lanesville is dotted with entertaining hand- made signs, including one that warns, "Cau- tion: Beautiful Dreams Ahead." ough each corner of Gloucester has its own distinctive character, they are all steeped in a shared history and a natural beauty that has inspired generations of artists and contin- ues to compel residents and visitors alike. "You can never get bored of visiting Glouces- ter, ever," Romeo eken says. "If you are, then you are not going to the right places." / F A C E S + P L A C E S / F U L L O F C H A R A C T E R 51 Lexington Ave., 4 bd., 5 ba., 3,542 sq. ft., 0.21 acre Price: $1,145,000, Agent: J Barrett & Company jbarrettrealty.com O C E A N V I E W S 185 Atlantic Rd., 2 bd., 2 ba., 2,394 sq. ft., 0.51 acre Price: $2,495,000, Agent: By the Sea Sotheby's International Realty, bytheseasir.com REAL ESTATE Gloucester City Hall is home to several large paintings completed as part of the New Deal– era Works Progress Administration. PHOTOGRAPHS BY SCOTT MURRY (TOP)