Dogtown was still used, even after it was abandoned. This photo, taken by Alice Curtis on July 30th, 1908, shows a cleared landscape and fenced roads. Just over the hill is the City of Gloucester. Now it’s a nature preserve donated by Roger Babson. It’s very overgrown and is very interesting. Dogtown was part of early American history, not much of which was recorded. But when I go there, I can kind of feel it. It’s eerie, and a lot of people feel the same way.
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Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.
View all posts by Fredrik Bodin
11 thoughts on “Dogtown’s Present Inhabitants, 1908”
I would love to see the city re clear many of those fields, create parking and host many different events including but not limited to the Grand Prix, bike trails, haunted rides in Oct. picnicking another wind mill and maybe a joint city/private investment for a fish farming venture
No offense , Jeff, but I hope that Dogtown stays just as it is…a great place to hike and enjoy nature. Stage fort park is a great place for the Grand Prix and a few bike trails would be ok for Dogtown, but the beauty of the place is the history and wildness. Anyone who has spent time there can attest to the spirit of this place. My only question is “when is it hunting season?”, as that is the only time I am not crazy about being there.
Hi Ellen. I hope it stays just like it is too. However, with the National Park Service in the picture now things are likely to change significantly. The Mass Historical Commission is currently working with Gloucester to get it on the National Register. Gloucester received a $30k grant for an outfit (PAL) to conduct a full scale study of Dogtown from an historical and geological perspective. The vision by many is to build a visitor’s center, among other things – likely with Federal dollars, but the source of the money has yet to be determined. Let’s keep it as it is! Any suggestions?
Ellen, look at the MA State hunting laws to find out. Rockport does not permit any hunting. So go there in hunting season. I agree it feels a little bit strange to hear shots and then say “hi” to a couple of guys in day glow orange with big guns. They’re always nice, but still…
Fred,
Found this in a look – I know there was hunting for waterfowl – along the rocks (shotgun) in the 60’s, swamps and marsh lands but that was then – The link here is a GPS type one…or how current… http://www.expertgps.com/data/ma/hunting-areas.asp#Georgetown
Fantastic!!! I just love Dogtown just the way it is. It was my childhood playground and now it is my adult playground. Check out the Natti Woodlands it is wonderful. Carry In Carry Out
Good Morning Gloucester 
I would love to see the city re clear many of those fields, create parking and host many different events including but not limited to the Grand Prix, bike trails, haunted rides in Oct. picnicking another wind mill and maybe a joint city/private investment for a fish farming venture
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No offense , Jeff, but I hope that Dogtown stays just as it is…a great place to hike and enjoy nature. Stage fort park is a great place for the Grand Prix and a few bike trails would be ok for Dogtown, but the beauty of the place is the history and wildness. Anyone who has spent time there can attest to the spirit of this place. My only question is “when is it hunting season?”, as that is the only time I am not crazy about being there.
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Hi Ellen. I hope it stays just like it is too. However, with the National Park Service in the picture now things are likely to change significantly. The Mass Historical Commission is currently working with Gloucester to get it on the National Register. Gloucester received a $30k grant for an outfit (PAL) to conduct a full scale study of Dogtown from an historical and geological perspective. The vision by many is to build a visitor’s center, among other things – likely with Federal dollars, but the source of the money has yet to be determined. Let’s keep it as it is! Any suggestions?
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Ellen, look at the MA State hunting laws to find out. Rockport does not permit any hunting. So go there in hunting season. I agree it feels a little bit strange to hear shots and then say “hi” to a couple of guys in day glow orange with big guns. They’re always nice, but still…
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Rockport absolutely DOES permit hunting. Bad information
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So it was Pigtown for a while?
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I just sent a query to the Town of Rockport on the hunting issue. Legal or not? We should all know.
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Fred,
Found this in a look – I know there was hunting for waterfowl – along the rocks (shotgun) in the 60’s, swamps and marsh lands but that was then – The link here is a GPS type one…or how current…
http://www.expertgps.com/data/ma/hunting-areas.asp#Georgetown
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Thanks Dave. I’ll wait to hear from the Town of Rockport. Things change.
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You bet I am pretty sure this one did!
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Fantastic!!! I just love Dogtown just the way it is. It was my childhood playground and now it is my adult playground. Check out the Natti Woodlands it is wonderful. Carry In Carry Out
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