Mounted securely to a stone post at the corner of Middle and Independent Streets in Newburyport, there was for many years a large cast-iron bombshell, thrown from a mortar at the Second Siege of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia in 1758.
Category: Stories
John Dunton’s Visit to Ipswich and Rowley in 1686
in 1686, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart on High St. were favored with a visit from the book seller John Dunton, who came to Ipswich "in the course of his saddle-bag peregrinations."
The Steamship “Carlotta”
The excursion boat Carlotta was built in 1878 at Rogers Point boat yard, and sailed from Town Wharf to the Neck and Plum Island for 35 years. The small hotels at Little Neck, Ipswich Bluff and Grape Island were favorite destinations for tourists and locals.
Wreck of the Ada K. Damon
Christmas, 1909 witnessed the heaviest storm in many years. The ship was wrecked during the captain's first trip for a load of sand from the plentiful supply on Plum Island.
Ipswich Red Raiders, “A Melting Pot of Awesome Contenders!”
"A melting pot of awesome contenders were the Ipswich Red Raiders, members of a semiprofessional football league active during the late 1930s and 1940s. The Ipswich Red Raiders won the division championship in 1935. Made up of Ipswich men in their twenties and early thirties, they played teams from the surrounding cities and as far… Continue reading Ipswich Red Raiders, “A Melting Pot of Awesome Contenders!”
The Wearing of Long Hair and Wigs
The wearing of long hair was a burning theme of address in the early Puritan pulpit. The clergy prescribed that the hair should by no means lie over the band or doublet collar. In 1649, the Governor and seven of the Assistants declared their “dislike and detestation against the wearing of such long hair, whereby men doe deforme themselves, and offend sober and modest men.”
The Mill girl’s Letter: “I Can Make You Blush.”
Dear Sir,
I received the ribbon you sent me by mail, and I thank you ever so much for it. I was asking Asa Howe who you were, and he told me. He also said you were a great man for girls. How is it you never holler at me and my chums? I think you're bashful. If you wasn't, you would of handed me the ribbon instead of sending it by mail.
Santa Hits the Ipswich Lightkeeper’s House, December 24, 1937
In 1939 the children were all assembled at the Ipswich Lighthouse, waiting for Flying Santa Edward Snow, who was running a bit behind schedule. Hearing the sound of an airplane the keeper called up to his wife, "Has Santa arrived yet, dear?" Immediately he heard the Christmas bundle crashing through the skylight, upon which his wife yelled down, "Yes, dear. We can start the party now."
Newburyport Interactive Map Keeps History Alive
Mary Baker, producer of the Newburyport Blog, created an interactive map telling the stories of historic places in Newburyport.
Pink Flamingos, “More Musings From a Musty Mind”
I call for all of us to embrace a cause that may serve to unite our fractured democracy before it’s all too late. This of course is the plight of Plastic Pink Flamingos. What, you ask?
Behold, a Pale Corpse
Gavin Keenan is drawn to reminisce of certain events which occurred during his lengthy enlistment in the local constabulary, including this Clamtown mystery of pandemic proportions.
Historic Ipswich 