In My Footsteps: 4K New England - Ned's Point Lighthouse, Mattapoisett, MA

In My Footsteps: Trip 66: Rochester, Mass.

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In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 66:  Rochester, Mass.

July 22, 2010

            Rochester is a town so close to Cape Cod yet with such a different atmosphere to it.  Perhaps it is the rural setting, or the beautiful farmland spotted all over.  When doing these trips sometimes it is best not to ask why a place has a feel to it, but rather to just enjoy that feeling while you are there.

Statue in front of the Town Library

            Once including the neighboring towns of Mattapoisett and Marion, Rochester was a thriving shipbuilding and whaling community using Mattapoisett Harbor as a base.  However once Mattapoisett and Marion became their own separate towns in the early 1850’s Rochester became the rural and residential area that it is today.

Distance marker at Town Common

            A perfect place to start in Rochester is the Town Common where I began by taking a look at where I was in relation to the rest of the state.  At the town common is a really neat looking town and distance sign standing over an old well pump and trough.  The sign has markings for towns as far away as Providence and Boston and gives a cool perspective on where Rochester sits.  The pump was neat as well until I tried using it and was greeted with a couple of bees.  I am assuming that the abandoned pump is used as a hive now but did not feel like sticking around to find out for certain.

            Located on the Town Common is the Town Hall, built in 1892, and the Public Library.  The library I enjoyed because of an adorable bronze statue outside.  It depicted a pair of children reading a book with the little girl showing the boy the letter B in the alphabet.  Not far from where the bronze children sat was a marker shadowed by some bushes.  This marker tells of the site nearby where the first Rochester Meeting House was erected in 1699. 

Remains of Hartley Mill Dam

            Rochester has many small ponds for swimming which I made sure to stop by to enjoy the summer breezes.  Mary’s Pond on Perry’s Lane was one such place.  The parking area was deserted which allowed me to park front and center and make my way to the water’s edge for some beautiful sightseeing.  The Sippican River marks its beginning as an outflow from this pond.  Leonard’s Pond and Snipatuit Pond also have many great sights to take in but one pond I searched for gave me something totally different.

            I searched for Hartley Mill Pond but instead came upon an overgrown field with scattered wood or so I thought.  What this spot on Hartley Road ended up being was the old Hartley Mill Dam.  It was difficult to make out how this dam actually worked back when it was operational but finding it was a cool little sidetrack.  It turned out, at least from the Google Maps, that the Hartley Mill Pond was near the dam’s location but really not large enough to be anything worth making a stop for.      

Barns at Eastover Farm

            Fittingly the last place I stopped in Rochester was a farm.  Eastover Farm is located on Mary’s Pond Road and is a perfect spot to get a glimpse of the feeling that Rochester has.  The seventy-five acres of land are dotted with a few beautiful looking houses and barns, they all share the same golden color.  The land on which the current farm stands was once owned and built up by New York businessman Charles H. Leonard in the mid-19^th century.  The pond which lies to the north of the farmland is named for Mr. Leonard.

            Eastover Farm has a wonderful farm stand that is full of home made items to purchase.  In addition to the fresh grown vegetables and fruits the farm stand also has homemade jams and jellies, fudge, pies, breads, and other delicious temptations.  If the farm stand does not lure you in there are also hay rides and parties can be booked on the vast fields.

            The peaceful feeling I got during my time in Rochester was what I will take away from my trip.  The beautiful ponds and the smell of the pine trees made me want to stop and sit for a while to enjoy them.  It is a perfect place to bring a picnic lunch when it is warm enough.  Take a walk around the Town Common and gaze at the distance marker along the road.  Don’t forget to make time to take in all of what Eastover Farm has to offer and take something sweet home with you.  No matter how you slice it, Rochester is a great little town with a lot of great sights, smells, and tastes to offer.  Have fun and happy traveling!



     My first book, In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide, is now available at SchifferBooks.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Amazon.com, soon to be in stores everywhere!  Follow me on Twitter!

Directions:  Town Common:  From I-195 west take Exit 20, turn left at Rt. 105, follow Rt. 105 2.5 miles.  Town common is on the left.

            Eastover Farm:  From I-195 heading west take Exit 21 for Rt. 28.  Turn right at Rt. 28, take left at Tobey Rd., turn right at Main Street.  Take a slight left at Fearing Hill Road, continue onto Mary’s Pond Rd.  Turn right at Hiller Road, Eastover Farm is on the right.

References:  Eastover Farm.com

            Rochester, Ma. - Official Town Site

           

In My Footsteps: Trip 65: Marion, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 65:  Marion, Mass.

July 22, 2010

            The tiny town of Marion is rich in history with the Native American Wampanoag tribe and Revolutionary War heroes having a huge stake in how the town is known today.  Marion was originally known as Sippican, the name for both the river which passes through the town as well as the Wampanoag name for the tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area. 

Marion Music Hall

            Marion became a town of its own in 1852 as a result of neighboring Mattapoisett attempting to redraw town lines so they would be able to take over the village of Sippican.  With help from a powerful ally in Boston Sippican became its own town but chose to change its name from Sippican to Marion in honor of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion.

            Though the town’s name may be Marion the connection to the Sippican Native American tribe of the past is evident everywhere.  The Sippican River runs through the eastern section of the town, dividing it from Wareham.  The Sippican Elementary School is located next door to the Marion Natural History Museum and has a very nice little area on the left with a few benches to sit on in the shade and a pair of gazing balls which usher you inside.  The Sippican Historical Society as well as the popular Sippican Café also help to keep the Native American name fresh in today’s world.  The Historical Society building was the home of the village doctor, Walton Nye Ellis, and was built in 1834.

Next to the Sippican Elementary School

            Diagonally across from the Sippican Historical Society building is the Marion General Store.  It has all of the looks of a piece of old America in the 21^st century and that could not be truer.  The building itself was built in 1794 and originally served as a Congregational Meeting House.

            Spring Street in Marion, where the Sippican School is located, is a great area for the town’s history and some beautiful scenery as well.  The Marion Town Hall, called the Town House, sits on the corner of Spring and Main Street.  It was built in 1876 and is decorated on one side with a pair of American flags which look like they are straight out of the time when the Town House was built. 

Marion General Store

            Directly across the street from the Town House is a beautiful little park which faces the Marion Art Center.  It was originally a Universalist Church built in 1830 and became the non-profit Art Center in 1957.  I got a great view of the Art Center looking through the opening of a nice gazebo on the park grounds.  On this warm, sunny day there were a few people seated on benches in the shade enjoying the park as well.  The smell of sweet flowers was a perfect final touch to a great little spot in Marion.

            Another spot to take in is the Town Music Hall located on Front Street across from the water.  The deep red brick building was a gift to the town from Elizabeth Taber a teacher born in Marion.  Ms. Taber’s name also adorns the town library and Museum of Natural History.  She also established Tabor Academy in 1876.  The Music Hall is still in use today and definitely stands out among the more classical-style homes located all around it.

            Out in the inner harbor of Marion is the tiny Ram Island which can be seen along Water Street.   It is only slightly larger than Meadow Island which from the shore appears no bigger than a large boat.  There is also Planting Island but it is technically connected to the mainland by a small land bridge.  Ram Island is a popular shellfishing location with many locals and folks from neighboring towns applying for licenses to allow them to capture their own bounty from the salty sea.

Washburn Park

            The final spot I visited in the pleasant little town of Marion was Washburn Park.  I missed the entrance a few times as it sits very close to I-195, but it was worth it once I found my way inside.  The road in is divided in the middle by a row of trees much like the Savery Road in Carver, Massachusetts from an earlier trip.  The park is a nice peaceful area complete with baseball fields and horse riding facilities as well.  There was nary a soul to be found here as I drove through but I am sure that is not the case on most days.  Washburn Park was a great way to end my stay in Marion.

            Marion is one of the smallest towns people-wise that I have visited.  I believe that is part of what made it such a nice trip.  The rural setting made for plenty of scenic views and the smell of fresh pine lingered in the air almost everywhere I went.  Anybody who enjoys peaceful drives and beautiful scenery needs to take the time to explore Marion.  Stop into the General Store, walk along historic Spring Street, and check out the Music Hall as well, it will all add up to a wonderful day.  Have fun and happy traveling!

Directions:  Washburn Park:  From I-195 take Exit 20 for Rt. 105.  Take Front St. south to Washburn Park Lane which is only ¼ mile from the interstate.

            Music Hall:  From I-195 take Exit 20 for Rt. 105.  Take Front St. south for a mile and a half, the Music Hall is on the right with a parking area across the street.

            General Store:  From I-195 take Exit 20 for Rt. 105.  Take Front St. south for 1.7 miles, the General Store will be on the right shortly after the Music Hall.

References:  Marion, Ma. - Official Town Site

            Sippican Historical Society.org

           

Marion on Dwellable

In My Footsteps: Trip 64: Mattapoisett, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 64:  Mattapoisett, Mass.

July 22, 2010

            Mattapoisett comes from the Wampanoag word meaning ‘place of resting’ and it is every bit of it.  The small town, relaxed feel, to Mattapoisett helped make this a great trip.  It was also here that I had a sort of moment that made me believe that these articles are what I am meant to be doing, more on that later.

The Seaport Ice Cream Slip

            The waterfront areas of Mattapoisett are spectacular and need to be enjoyed with many long walks.  I found it to be different from Cape Cod despite being only being about a twenty minute drive from the Cape.  It could possibly be simply because it was all new to me.  The Mattapoisett Town Wharf captured all that is good about waterfront scenery in one area. 

            With summer in full swing the wharf and surrounding Mattapoisett Harbor was dotted with boats giving the image of old postcards and photos I remember seeing when my parents were children.  I walked each of the four legs of the wharf in order to see as much of the area as possible.  There were several interesting sites along the wharf including a large swordfish stoically mounted at the end of the longest of the wharves. 

            The most well known spot along the Town Wharf is the Seaport Ice Cream Slip.  This tiny little shack on wheels sitting on the eastern side of the Town Wharf may not appear to be much but the memories and good times it evokes from locals is immeasurable.  I found this out first hand from my friend Emily whose grandparents are longtime residents of Mattapoisett.  Seeing the photos I had taken of this popular spot brought back memories for her of savoring their chocolate ice cream there many summer days when she was younger.  The Seaport Ice Cream Slip on Rt. 6 serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods in addition to the ice cream.  It is the cherry on top of the great views the Mattapoisett Town Wharf provides.

The homes along the cove adjacent to Pine Island Pond.

            Sometimes I like to seek out beautiful areas off the beaten path.  In Mattapoisett I found such a place along the area called Pine Island Pond.  The narrow Cove Road acts as a barrier between the pond and the ocean.  I could only go so far as the homes along the cove were private but I was able to park along the side of the dirt road and take in some passing sailboats.  Behind me, hovering over the pond was a family of osprey.  Their calls were the only sounds besides the lapping ocean waves.  I would have stayed longer but with several crying osprey circling overhead I thought it might be wise to move on to my next spot.

            My final spot to visit was Ned’s Point Lighthouse at Shipyard Park.  It was here that I got a sign that my travel writing was a good choice.  Unbeknownst to me I had chosen to visit Ned’s Point Light at one of the few times it was open to the public.  Being open on Thursdays from 10:00am to noon in July and August did not give me a large window but I did make it in time.

Ned's Point Lighthouse

            Ned’s Point Light was built in 1838 at the urging of former President, and at that time Massachusetts Congressman, John Quincy Adams.  It had been rushed and poorly built at first, needing several rounds of improvements up through 1888.  The wooden light keeper’s house was loaded on a barge and floated across Buzzards Bay to Wing’s Neck Light in Bourne in 1923.  Russell Eastman, the last keeper at Ned’s Point, rode in the house across the bay on the day.  Decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1952 the light became active again in 1961.     

Mattapoisett Harbor from the top of Ned's Point Light.

            

     It is a thirty-nine foot stone tower, much different in appearance than the typical lighthouse.  I was very excited to get to climb up inside.  There were two elderly people, a man and a woman, representing the Coast Guard which owns the lighthouse, there that day.   The man was up at the top of the lighthouse, I am not sure how he made it up there.  Both of them were very nice and knowledgeable.  I was able to see the patches of brown below making an outline of where the keeper’s house had once stood in front of the lighthouse.

            From this vantage point I could see clearly from the previously mentioned Pine Island Pond to the southeast down to Mattapoisett Harbor and the Town Wharf.  It was a spectacular sight and I found myself turning my head from side to side over and over like I was at a tennis match.  It would have been very easy to stay up on that platform all day but sadly the time to close the lighthouse came and I was forced to relive the experience in my photos afterward.

            Mattapoisett has a beautifully relaxed feel to it wherever you visit.  A walk along the Town Wharf complete with a visit to the Seaport Ice Cream Slip makes a great start.  This can only be topped by checking out Shipyard Park where the unique Ned’s Point Light resides.  It does not have to be summer, this quiet little seaside town can be enjoyed 365 days a year.  Have fun and happy traveling!

Directions:  Ned’s Point Lighthouse: From I-195 West take Exit 19A.  Turn right into Mattapoisett.  Bear right onto North Street, follow for a mile and a half and turn left onto Water St. which becomes Beacon St.  This road becomes Ned’s Point Rd. without any turns.  Follow it to the park where the lighthouse is located.

Mattapoisett Town Wharf:  From Rt. 6 heading west take a left at Marion Rd.  Turn right at Water St., follow it a half mile to the Town Wharf on the left.  Seaport Ice Cream Slip is on the far left after you enter.

References:  Mattapoisett, Ma. - Official Town Site

            Ned's Point Lighthouse History

            Mattapoisett Historical Society

            Seaport Ice Cream Slip – Facebook Fan Page

In My Footsteps: Trip 8: New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 8: Fort Taber/Rodman – New Bedford, Mass.

Fort Phoenix – Fairhaven, Mass.

Ned’s Point Light – Mattapoisett, Mass.

January 22, 2010



Massachusetts being one of the thirteen original colonies is a state rich in history. Every town in the state has its own list of historical places to visit. There are so many places in fact that it is possible to visit any of Massachusetts towns several times and still miss some amazing historical places. There are three mentioned here today that are must see, but they are by no means the last I will seek out.

Located only a half hour from the Bourne Bridge, New Bedford is overflowing with historical places. Deep in the tradition of the sea the New Bedford Whaling Museum, established in 1907, is normally the first spot circled on any itinerary as well it should be. The cobblestone streets and old-time looking shops in the surrounding area make it feel as though you have traveled back to another time. After visiting the museum there are many other places just as rich in significance in New Bedford. One such place is located at the end of Rodney French Boulevard on Clarks Point along Buzzards Bay.

Fort Taber is a living breathing artifact. It is two buildings, an earthen fort and granite fort side by side along the breezy shores. The earthen fort(left) was built during the Civil War in 1861. It was built first as Governor John Andrew and Mayor Issac Taber could not wait for state or federal aid to help build the granite fort at the dawning of the Civil War.

The much larger, granite structure(right) next to the earthen fort was started shortly thereafter; the United States War Department stopped construction in 1871. It was locally finished in 1898 and named Fort Rodman after Civil War Lt. Col. Logan Rodman of New Bedford. The Clark’s Point Lighthouse, which once stood alongside the granite structure, was placed on the second tier of the fort and is easily visible today. Despite being two different buildings with two different names, the area is usually mistakenly simply called Fort Taber. The granite fort is kept under lock and key but the earthen fort can be entered, though beware as vandals have sprayed graffiti inside and littered as well. If you take a step back and close your eyes you can imagine the soldiers training on this spot more than a hundred years ago.

Only five miles north of Fort Taber is an even older piece of American history. Located along the water in Fairhaven, and within sight of Fort Taber is Fort Phoenix. This spot was built during the American Revolution in 1775. It was destroyed by British troops in 1778 but was rebuilt so quickly that it was given the name Fort Phoenix(right) after the mythical bird. In 1812 it was enlarged under the supervision of the future ‘Father of the Military Academy’ at West Point, Sylvanua Thayer. It helped repel an attack by the British HMS Nimrod in 1814. It remained in use during the Civil War with Union troops rotating between Fort Phoenix and Fort Taber. Though not used since 1876, Fort Phoenix still bears the look of an active military institution with five 19th century cannons perched facing over the waters of Buzzards Bay as if ready for an oncoming battle. The site is open year round and has a tremendous breakwater walk with a view of Palmer’s Island Light located on a small island in the middle of the harbor.

About seven miles east, in the small town of Mattapoisett, there is yet another piece of history. On the shore of Buzzards Bay, at the mouth of Mattapoisett’s harbor, sits Ned’s Point Lighthouse(left). It was built in 1838 at the urging of former President, and at that time Massachusetts Congressman, John Quincy Adams. It had been rushed and poorly built at first, needing several rounds of improvements up through 1888. The wooden light keeper’s house was loaded on a barge and floated across Buzzards Bay to Wing’s Neck Light in Bourne in 1923. Russell Eastman, the last keeper at Ned’s Point, rode in the house across the bay on the day. Decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1952 the light became active again in 1961. The thirty-nine foot stone tower is open for a few hours Thursdays during July and August but the grounds are open all year long.

Massachusetts is filled with history that dates back nearly 400 years. It is impossible to visit any of the 351 cities and towns in the state and not find one if not several amazing historical landmarks. You don’t even have to enjoy history to appreciate these sites mentioned above. It is much different than studying a book when the places themselves are brimming with life as you stand before them. I recommend each of these places be visited but they don’t have to be all in one day! Have fun and happy traveling!

Directions: Fort Taber/Rodman: From I-195 West take Exit 15 into New Bedford. Follow John F Kennedy Memorial Highway until you need to bear right onto Rodney French Blvd. The Fort Taber/Rodman site is on the right at the end of the road.

Fort Phoenix: From I-195 West take Exit 18 into Fairhaven. Turn right to take Rt. 240 south. A little more than a mile turn right onto Bridge St. Bear right onto Rt. 6/Huttleston Ave. Turn left on Main St.; left onto Church St.; and right onto Fort St. Fort Phoenix is on the right as you approach the beach.

Ned’s Point Lighthouse: From I-195 West take Exit 19A. Turn right into Mattapoisett. Bear right onto North Street, follow for a mile and a half and turn left onto Water St. which becomes Beacon St. This road becomes Ned’s Point Rd. without any turns. Follow it to the park where the lighthouse is located.

References: Fort Taber/Rodman History

Fort Phoenix History Blog

Ned's Point Light Virtual Guide

New Bedford Whaling Museum