23 Dogtown & Babson Builders
© Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester MA
Born and raised on 58 Middle Street, business theorist and investor Roger Babson hired unemployed stone cutters to inscribe more than two-dozen boulders during the Depression. He hoped that words such as “industry,” “initiative,” and “integrity” would inspire people as they walked through Dogtown Common in the center of Cape Ann. He founded three colleges as well as Gloucester’s Isabel Memorial Library.
Boulders: Ellen Lefavour© Photographs
Boulders © Ellen Lefavour photographs
Marsden Hartley Poem on Dogtown
Hartley poem listen
Hartley Poem
A Listening Experience
Marsden Hartley as well as other artists and writers have created works inspired by Dogtown.
Map & Directions: Explore The Boulders
Explore the Boulders
What You Need To Know:
Visit the website by Eric “Dacron” Bickernicks, who maintains an excellent website devoted to Dogtown and it’s history, lore, geocaches, trail maps and more. View, save, or print his detailed map of Boulder Trail with GPS coordinates. You can also visit the Essex Heritage website for additional info & directions.
Driving Directions to Trailhead
Location:
Gloucester, MA 01930
Cherry St/Dogtown Common Entrance:
From: Rte-128 North to Gloucester and the first rotary (Grant Circle).
- Take the exit to Rte- 127/Annisquam (Washington St).
- Follow Washington St. to Reynard St. on your right (about 1 mile).
- Turn right onto Reynard St, then left onto Cherry St. at the end of Reynard St.
- Follow Cherry St. a short distance to the entrance to Dogtown Common on your right (there will be a brown sign).
- Drive up the hill to a parking area with a sign; you may also park along the road.
From Gloucester/Rockport, go to Grant Circle Rotary and follow the above directions.
Dogtown As It Was
Dowgtown As It Was
