Rockport, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rockport, Massachusetts
Town
Rockport inner harbor showing lobster fleet and Motif #1 (red building)
Seal
Motto(s):  "A Seacoast Village on Cape Ann"
Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts.
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Essex
Incorporated	1623
Incorporated	February 27, 1840
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	17.5 sq mi (45.4 km2)
• Land	7.0 sq mi (18.1 km2)
• Water	10.5 sq mi (27.3 km2)
Elevation	77 ft (23 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,992
• Density	398.9/sq mi (154.01/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	01966
Area code(s)	351 / 978
FIPS code	25-57880
GNIS feature ID	0618308

Rockport is a pretty seaside town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 6,992 people lived there. Rockport is located about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Boston. It sits at the very tip of the Cape Ann peninsula. Rockport shares a border with Gloucester to its west. The vast Atlantic Ocean surrounds it on all other sides.

A part of the town is also known as the census-designated place of Rockport.

Rockport's Past: A Look at History

Long ago, before European explorers arrived, the Agawam tribe lived on Cape Ann. In 1605, Samuel de Champlain named the peninsula "Cap Aux Isles." He might have even landed there for a short time. The first Europeans built a lasting settlement in Gloucester in 1623.

Richard Tarr was a granite cutter. He was the first settler in the Sandy Bay Colony. He lived in the area that is now Rockport in 1680. He and his wife Elizabeth had ten children. Those born after 1690 were written in the Sandy Bay Colony records. Richard passed away around 1732.

The area had lots of timber, especially pine, which was great for shipbuilding. People also dug up granite from the Sandy Bay quarries. The Cape Ann area was one of the best fishing grounds in New England. In 1743, a dock was built at Rockport harbor. It was used for both exporting timber and for fishing.

By the early 1800s, the first granite quarries started to open. By the 1830s, Rockport granite was sent to cities and towns all along the east coast of the United States.

Rockport used to be mostly large estates, summer homes, and a small fishing village. Meanwhile, Gloucester was growing into a bigger city. Rockport became its own separate town in 1840. Its residents wanted their own special place with its own identity.

As the demand for its excellent granite grew during the Industrial Revolution, Rockport's quarries became a major source of the stone. A special type of sloop (a kind of boat) was even made to carry the granite far and wide. This continued until the 1920s. For many years, many people of Scandinavian descent lived here. These were Finnish and Swedish immigrants. They were skilled in stone-working and made up a big part of the quarry workforce.

Even though people started using more concrete instead of granite during the Great Depression, Rockport still did well. It became a famous artists colony. This started years earlier because it was a popular vacation spot. People loved its rocky beaches, its history as a fishing harbor, and its mentions in books like Rudyard Kipling's Captains Courageous.

A red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf is very famous. It's called "Motif Number 1." For years, it has been one of the most well-known sights on Cape Ann. Many artists have painted it, and many people have taken photos of it. Artists and tourists from all over the world visit it. Rockport is also home to the Rockport Art Association.

In 1856, the town decided to ban alcohol. This was known as "Rockport's revolt against rum." Except for a short time in the 1930s, Rockport remained one of the few dry towns in Massachusetts. It stayed dry for many years. Then, in 2005, people voted that restaurants could serve alcohol. Stores were not allowed to sell alcohol until March 2019. At that time, a local market got a license to sell beer and wine.

In 1933, the Rockport American Legion Post. No. 98 built a 27-foot (8.2 m) model of "Motif No.1." It was for the Legion Parade in Chicago, Illinois. This was the site of the 1933 World's Fair. Artists Aldro Hibbard and Anthony Thieme designed it. Many townspeople helped build it. The float was finished in September and driven from Rockport to Chicago in less than a week. On October 3, 1933, it won first place among 200 floats. When the float returned to Rockport, over 4,000 people welcomed it home.

Rockport Quarries and Worker Rights

Rockport, especially the Pigeon Cove area, has always been home to many immigrant groups. These include Finns, Swedes, Italians, and Portuguese. Scandinavian immigrants often worked in the quarries. These quarries are now part of Halibut Point State Park.

Mediterranean immigrants arrived in the early days of the United States. The first Finnish and Swedish immigrants came in the 1870s. Finns and Swedes were often seen as one group. These groups had strong working-class identities. They became more involved in labor activism against the Rockport Granite Company. This company opened in 1865 and closed in 1933.

For example, from March to June 1899, a group of Finnish quarrymen went on strike. They were the newest immigrant group to work in the quarries. Finns were first brought to Rockport to work during strikes in the early 1890s. But they later became strong fighters for workers' rights. The 1899 strike was supported by unions. It was said to be because the company broke its promises.

This strike was very intense. There was violence and arrests. The Boston Globe reported that the Finns were very strong labor activists. They refused to make deals and threatened those who tried to work during the strike. The Rockport Granite Company tried to bring in Italian workers from Boston to break the strike. These temporary workers lived in small shacks near a quarry. The Finnish workers tried to tell the Italians that they were on strike. They hoped the Italians would join them.

According to The New York Times, the Italian workers were brought to the quarry "under false pretenses." About half of them left their work. Those who stayed felt unsafe. The Rockport Granite Company asked for police protection for them.

On May 10, 1899, some Finnish strikers were arrested for their actions. On April 20, 1899, about 200 Finns gathered. They went to the quarry shacks with clubs and stones. They surrounded the Italian workers who were hiding in a building. The strikers even pulled the shutters off the building. The strikers left when one of them was shot in the foot. The Italian workers were very scared. Many of them went back to Boston after this event.

On June 8, 1899, a company building was destroyed by a bombing. Police thought it was done by strikers. Luckily, the workers inside were not hurt. Three Finns were arrested as suspects. They later left Rockport to avoid going to court.

In the end, the Finns and other strikers won. They got the right to a nine-hour workday. They also got paid more for working overtime. The company promised not to treat any of the over 2,000 workers who joined the strike unfairly. In the early 1900s, quarry workers went on strike for other rights. This happened in 1902, 1908, and 1916.

The quarries eventually closed during the Great Depression. This happened for two reasons. First, new building materials like concrete became popular. Second, quarry workers kept asking for higher wages into the 1920s. Swedish and Finnish workers continued to work in the quarries until they closed. They have left a special mark on Rockport's culture.

Rockport Today

Rockport, 2009

Today, Rockport is mostly a town where people live and tourists visit. But it is still home to many lobster fishermen and artists. Its rocky beaches and parks by the sea are popular places for tourists. Many visitors come from the Greater Boston Area and Rhode Island.

Rockport's Location and Features

Beach in Rockport

Front Beach in Rockport center

The town covers a total area of 45.4 square kilometers (17.5 sq mi). About 18.1 square kilometers (7.0 sq mi) is land. The rest, 27.3 square kilometers (10.5 sq mi), is water. Rockport is at the far eastern end of Cape Ann. Water surrounds it on three sides.

There are three islands off Rockport's coast. These are Straitsmouth Island, Thacher Island, and Milk Island. They are all part of the town. The town's shoreline is mostly rocky north of Lands End. But it's less rocky to the south. Three of the town's six beaches are on this 1.25-mile (2 km) stretch of coast.

Rockport Harbor and Old Harbor are both near the town center. They have deep water where boats can dock. This gives the fishing community access to the ocean. The highest point in town is on Pool Hill. This hill is surrounded by the town forest.

Rockport also has protected natural areas. These include Halibut Point State Park & Reservation. There's also the Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Knight Wildlife Reservation on Milk Island. A smaller area south of Halibut Point is run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Rockport's only neighboring town is Gloucester. Rockport is about 20 miles (32 km) east-northeast of Salem. It is about 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Boston.

There are no major highways in Rockport. But two state roads, Route 127 and Route 127A, pass through. Route 127 goes from north to south. It enters from Gloucester, goes over Great Hill, and then follows the sea. Route 127A follows the southern coast. It loops around Land's End and the downtown area.

Bus service in Rockport is provided by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority. Rockport is also the last station on its train line. This is the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail. It provides train service along the North Shore to Boston's North Station. The closest airport is the Beverly Regional Airport. For national and international flights, the closest airport is Boston's Logan International Airport.

Rockport's People: Demographics

In 2000, there were 7,767 people living in Rockport. There were 3,490 households and 2,027 families. The population density was about 1,098.9 people per square mile (424.3/km²). Most of the people (97.73%) were White. About 1.07% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The main backgrounds of the residents include English (23.0%), Irish (20.4%), Italian (15.8%), German (7.1%), and Scots (5.7%). About 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.

In 2000, about 24.4% of households had children under 18. About 48.0% were married couples. The average household had 2.20 people. The average family had 2.93 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 21.3% were under 18. About 20.2% were 65 or older. The average age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were about 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in Rockport was $50,661. For a family, it was $69,263. About 3.7% of the population lived below the poverty line. The median house value was $277,300.

Arts and Fun in Rockport

Toad Hall Bookstore (closed in 2017) in the former Granite Savings Bank

Bearskin Neck shops in Rockport, MA

Babson Farm granite quarry, Halibut Point State Park

The old Cape Ann Tool Company

Rockport has many interesting places and groups related to art and culture:

• Bearskin Neck: This is a charming area with old fishing shacks. They have been turned into restaurants, shops, and art galleries for tourists.
• Dogtown Common: This was once a settlement inland on Cape Ann. It is now abandoned and protected forever.
• Halibut Point Reservation: This is a nature reserve. It is managed by The Trustees of Reservations and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
• The Paper House: This is a unique house. Even its furniture is made from wood and about 100,000 recycled newspapers! You can find it at 52 Pigeon Hill Street.
• Rockport Art Association: Founded in 1921, this is one of the oldest and most active art groups in the country.
• Thacher's Island: This island off Rockport has two lighthouses.
• Rockport Music: The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a modern place for performing arts.

Getting Around Rockport

Transportation Options

Rockport has thirteen weekday commuter trains to Boston. It is one end of the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line.

Bus service throughout the area is provided by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

Famous People from Rockport

Many notable people have connections to Rockport:

• Kevin Baker, author
• William Rose Benet, poet
• Nelson Bragg, percussionist and vocalist for Brian Wilson Band
• William Slater Brown, novelist
• Paula Cole, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter
• Otis Cook, painter
• Marjorie Flack, children's book author and illustrator
• Bobbi Gibb, first woman to have run the entire Boston Marathon
• William Francis Gibbs, naval architect
• Rick Hautala, author
• Bobby Hebb, songwriter and singer
• David Robinson, drummer for The Cars and the Modern Lovers
• Julian Soshnick, civil rights lawyer
• Andrew Stanton, writer and director for Pixar
• Vermin Supreme, performance artist and independent US presidential candidate
• Helen Van Wyk, artist, author and PBS television host
• Anna Zerilli, football player

Movies Filmed in Rockport

Rockport's beautiful scenery has been featured in several movies and TV shows:

• Harbourmaster, 1957–1958 TV series
• Coma (1978)
• I'll Be Home for Christmas (1988)
• Mermaids (1990)
• The Good Son (1993)
• The Next Karate Kid (1994)
• The Love Letter (1999)
• Stuck on You (2003)
• The Proposal (2009; stood in for Sitka, Alaska)
• Edge of Darkness (2010)
• Manchester by the Sea (2016)
• Chappaquiddick (2017)
• CODA (2021)

See also

In Spanish: Rockport (Massachusetts) para niños