Gloucester, Massachusetts
From Free net encyclopedia
- This article is about Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA; there are other places called Gloucester
Image:Gloucester, MA Seal.jpg Gloucester is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 30,273. A popular summer resort, Gloucester includes the villages of Annisquam, Bass Rocks, Bay View, Lanesville, Magnolia, Riverdale, East Gloucester and West Gloucester.
Contents |
History
Image:Gloucester City Hall 1.JPG Gloucester was settled in 1623, the first settlement on Cape Ann. (This causes the settlement predate both Salem, MA in 1626 and Boston in 1630.) Around 1626 the settlement was abandoned (the meetinghouse was even disassmbled and relocated to Naumkeag (Salem, MA). At some point in the following years - though no record exists - the area was resettled. This led to The town being formally incorporated in 1642. It is at this time that the name "Gloucester" first appears on tax rolls, although in various spellings - this is the first time the town is so-named.
The town was an important shipbuilding center, and the first schooner was apparently built there in 1713. The boudries of the town originally included the town of Rockport, which until 1840 was its "Fifth Parish," (and part of Third Parish as well) known as "Sandy Bay." In 1873, Gloucester was incorporated as a city.
The community developed into an important fishing port, largely due to its proximity to Georges Bank and other fishing banks off the east coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Gloucester's most famous (and nationally recognized) seafood business was founded in 1849 -- John Pew & Sons. It became Gorton-Pew Fisheries in 1906, and in 1957 changed its name to Gorton's of Gloucester. The iconic image of the "Gorton's Fisherman", and the products he represents, are known throughout the country and beyond. Besides catching and processing seafood, Gloucester is also a center for fish research.
In October 1991, a rare combination of meteorological factors created a so-called "storm of the century" in the North Atlantic ocean off the eastern seaboard. The crew of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat out of Gloucester, attempted to sail home through the tempest. Their ordeal is featured in Sebastian Junger's 1997 book, The Perfect Storm. The city was used as a setting for the 2000 movie adaptation of the book. Perhaps the most famous story based in Gloucester is Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling, written in 1897, and made into a movie starring Spencer Tracy in 1937.
Image:Breakwater & Lighthouse, Gloucester, MA.jpg Gloucester's scenic beauty has inspired artists since the early 19th century, as it does today. Perhaps the first painter of note was native-born Fitz Hugh Lane, whose home still exists on the waterfront, and whose works hang at the Gloucester Historical Association, as well as at museums in Boston and New York. Others attracted here include William Morris Hunt, Winslow Homer, Childe Hassam, John Twachtman, John Sloan, Maurice Prendergast, Edward Hopper, Stuart Davis and Marsden Hartley. Smith Cove is home to the Rocky Neck Art Colony, the oldest art colony in the country.
On November 7th, 2005, incumbent Mayor John Bell was re-elected to a third term in office.
Attractions
Image:FishermanMemorialGloucester.jpg Gloucester's most noted landmark is the harborside "Man at the Wheel" statue (also known as the "Fishermen's Memorial Cenotaph"), dedicated to "They that go down to the sea in ships."
The only professional theatre company on Cape Ann is the Gloucester Stage Company, which stages five to eight plays each season, primarily in the summer months. Located in East Gloucester, the theatre sits at water's edge overlooking Smith's Cove. It was founded in 1979 by local arts and business leaders to encourage playwrights and their new works. Over the years, plays developed at Gloucester Stage Company have gone on to critical acclaim and popular success, on and off Broadway, nationally and internationally. The group draws theatre-goers from Gloucester, neighboring North Shore districts, greater Boston area, as well as seasonal residents and tourists.
Image:Harbor View & Ten Pound Island Light.jpg Gloucester's largest annual event is St. Peter's Fiesta, sponsored by the local Italian-American community. It is held the weekend closest to the saint's feast day. Highlights include the blessing of the fleet, and the greasy pole contest.
The city has much significant architecture, from pre-revolutionary houses to the hilltop 1870 City Hall, which dominates the town and harbor. It also has exotic waterfront homes now converted to museums, including "Beauport," built 1907-1934 by Henry Davis Sleeper, said to raise eclecticism to the level of genius. In addition, it has "Hammond Castle," built 1926-1929 by John Hays Hammond, Jr. as a setting for his collection of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance artifacts.
Geography
Image:Gloucester ma highlight.png Gloucester is located at 42°37'26" North, 70°40'32" West (42.624015, -70.675521)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 107.5 km² (41.5 mi²). 67.2 km² (26.0 mi²) of it is land and 40.2 km² (15.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 37.42% water.
Demographics
Image:Fish Dressing Wharf, Gloucester, MA.jpg As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 30,273 people, 12,592 households, and 7,895 families residing in the city. The population density was 450.2/km² (1,166.0/mi²). There were 13,958 housing units at an average density of 207.6/km² (537.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.99% White, 0.72% Asian, 0.61% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,592 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
Image:Drying Fish, Gloucester, MA.jpg In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,722, and the median income for a family was $58,459. Males had a median income of $41,465 versus $30,566 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,595. 8.8% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line. 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 11.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Points of interest
External links
- City of Gloucester, Massachusetts Official Website
- ArtsGloucester
- Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra
- Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS)
- Gloucester & Cape Ann
- Guide to Gloucester
- St. Peter's Fiesta
- Hammond Castle Museum
- Beauport, The Sleeper-McCann House
- Cape Ann Historical Museum
- The Sargent House Museum
- Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
- North Shore Arts Association of Gloucester
- Gloucester Stage Company
- Rocky Neck Arts Colony
