Rockport Real Estate
Located at the tip of Cape Ann, 40 miles northeast of Boston, Rockport is a popular tourist town because it is surrounded on all three sides by the Atlantic ocean. The town is largely residential and originated as a small fishing village, drawing its name from the boulders scattered across its beaches. Rockport occupies 17.5 miles with its 7,000 residents concentrated in three neighborhoods – Downtown, the South End, and Bearskin Neck. Bearskin Neck is dominated by shops, art galleries and small eateries and is typically the departure point for boat tours, whale watches and other water excursions. The South End is more residential but features the rocky coastline and sweeping views for which Rockport is known. Rockport’s scenic main harbor is dominated by an old, brick-red fish shack known as Motif No. 1, so named because it is a favored subject of countless painters. In addition to restored historic homes with water views for which the region is well-known, Rockport also offers condos that take advantage of the coastal setting. Read more about Rockport.
Rockport Homes & Condos For Sale
More About Rockport
Rockport Location
Rockport lies directly east of Gloucester and is surrounded on its remaining three sides by the Atlantic ocean. Rockport is also the last station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, providing service along the North Shore to Boston’s North Station. Route 127 is the main route passing through town.
Rockport Recreation
With the ocean on all sides, Rockport is home to a number of different beaches, each with their own appeal. Old Garden Beach is a small, cozy beach that is a quick walk from town. Back Beach is just off Beach Street and known for its classic views. Cape Hedge Beach is a quieter spot away from the summer crowds. Boating and fishing are also popular activities with year-round residents and many lobstermen still make their home there. In addition to a thriving art community, Rockport has evolved into a mecca for musicians. The Shalin Liu Performance Center hosts the Rockport Chamber Music Festival and is a big draw for music names in all sorts of genres. Rockport residents also enjoy the Rockport coastline from its many parks, including Headlands Park which draws hikers and those looking for a more leisurely stroll.
Rockport History
While Rockport has colonial roots as part of the Sandy Bay Colony in the 1600s, it largely survived as a fishing village and summer home for Boston’s elite. A mention of the area in Rudyard Kipling’s “Captains Courageous” helped attract many artists to the scenic harbor and Rockport’s art colonies continue to flourish today. As demand for its granite grew during the Industrial Revolution, Rockport’s quarries produced much of the stone. The granite trade attracted a number of residents of Scandinavian descent as these immigrants possessed stone-working expertise and comprised a large part of the workforce. Many of these workers would ultimately strike in the early 1900s for better conditions and win the right to a nine-hour work day as well as overtime pay. In 1856, “Rockport’s revolt against rum” took place when a gang of 200 women rampaged through the town, destroying anything containing alcohol. This event had long-range implications for Rockport. The town remained dry for years until 2005 and sales of liquor at stores weren’t allowed until March 2019.
