WALKING GUIDE_________
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Walking Guide Map - Click on a Trail
WALK ONE - From Dock Square, proceed up Mount Pleasant Street, passing T-Wharf with its view of Motif #1 on your left. Take a left onto Atlantic Avenue and pause for views of the Harbor and the Yacht Club. Straight ahead, enter a paved path called "Way to Headland." About a 10-minute walk.
(For an extended tour, including an Oceanside cliff walk, stay on Atlantic Avenue, go left on Norwood Avenue to Old Garden Road, right on Old Garden Road past Old Garden Beach. Enter "Old Garden Path " across from Dean Road).
T-WHARF:
Views of one of the most picturesque harbors in America, including Motif #1.
HANNAH JUMPER HOUSE:
On corner of Mount Pleasant Street and Atlantic Avenue. This house, with its blue shutters, was the home of Hannah Jumper, who led the women of Rockport in the famous Hatchet Gang Raid of July 8, 18 56 to rid the town of all liquor. Today, over 135 years later, Rockport is still a dry town.
CABLE HOUSE:
On Norwood Avenue, the former office of the Trans-Atlantic Cable, which came ashore in Rockport.
HEADLANDS:
Rocky mount offering spectacular views of the harbor and the town. This is a favorite place for artists, a great spot for a picnic at sunset, and viewing of sailboat races on weekend afternoons.
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WALK TWO - From Dock Square, walk down Bearskin Neck, with its colorful shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Explore Bradley Wharf and Tuna Wharf, the first and second rights off of South Road. Proceed to the end of Bearskin Neck for a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the breakwater. Return to Dock Square via Doyles Cove Road and either Middle Road or North Road. At the end of North Road, take a right on Old Harbor Road for a view of the old harbor. About a 15 minute walk.
SEA FENCIBLES' BARRACK:
Formerly the quarters for the Sandy Bay Militia, a locally-sponsored home guard for coastal defense during the War of 1812. Now a retail shop.
PUNCH BOWL TAVERN (1775):
Built originally as a tavern, subsequently used as a chandlery, fish house, general store, artists' studio, and now as a retail shop.
BRADLEY WHARF:
The former site of a schooner boat building yard. Throughout its history, the wharf has been used primarily by fishermen. Motif #I is located on Bradley Wharf.
MOTIF #1:
The ultimate artist's subject of the New England coast. This fishing shack was built in 1884 and was purchased by the Town in 1945 as a monument to Rockporters in the armed services. It is the most painted/photographed building in America.
GILT EDGE COD COMPANY:
Originally a loft for making and Mending fishing nets. Became a fish packing house in the 1880's, and later the studio and gallery of Aldro Hibbard, one of the pioneers of Rockport's artist colony. Now a retail shop.
TUNA WHARF:
Built in 1884 for the landing and processing of codfish. Around 1950, large catches of tuna fish were being landed, which gave the wharf its present name.
OLD STONE FORT:
Small stockade built by public subscription and manned by the Sea Fencibles' Militia for protection against the British. Dismantled during the War of 1812.
SANDY BAY BREAKWATER (1885):
Visible from the end of Bearskin Neck. 1.5 miles out to sea. Partially completed by the Federal Government in an unsuccessful attempt to make Rockport a major Atlantic shipping port.
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WALK THREE - From Dock Square, walk up Main Street. Look for Lumber Wharf on your right and the Rockport Art Association and the Old Stoop Church on your left. For a picturesque view, stop at School House Landing near Toad Hall Bookstore. Take a right onto Beach Street, passing Front and Back Beach to the Bandstand. Return on Beach Street and take a right on King Street. Proceed five houses up on left to granite stairs, which lead to Millbrook Meadow, Upper Pond, and the Old Burial Ground. About a 20 minute walk. (For an extended tour, walk further up King Street to the Historical Society).
OLD SLOOP CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (1803):
During the War of 1812, a British frigate in the harbor fired at and missed the bell (which had been rung to alarm the town). The shot landed in the tower support instead, and, if you look closely, can still be seeni
OLD TAVERN BUILDING:
(Now Rockport Art Association, since 1929) Built before 1787, this building has served the town as a residence, an inn, and a restaurant terminus for the Rockport/ Salem stagecoach run.
SCHOOL HOUSE LANDING:
From here, children were brought by boat to the old school located on Back Beach. Roads were not that passable, so people usually moved by boat.
FRONT BEACH:
A small sandy beach snuggled within a beautiful bay overlooking Rockport's dramatic coastline.
BACK BEACH:
A small pebbly beach offering breathtaking views of Sandy Bay. Site of the 4th of July bonfire.
BANDSTAND:
Located at Back Beach. Old-fashioned concerts held every Sunday night in July and August..
MILLBROOK MEADOW:
A lovely green park with specimen trees, shrubs, and plants, a granite keystone bridge, and granite stairs in memory of the quarry workers. Once the site of a pump organ factory, grist mills, and other manufactures. Two ponds sit and relax by. A small playground.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
Built in the mid- 1800's by a granite quarry owner. Beautiful center stairway, original pump organ from Rockport, and historic artifacts. Old kitchen- A"must" see!
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