Cape Ann Massachusetts

Have a Devil of a Time in Ipswich

Published September 23, 2020 | By Clark Norton

According to legend, Ipswich’s “Devil’s Footprint” was formed when Satan leaped off a local church steeple. Photo from Historic Ipswich.

Following up on his Ipswich fried clams post — part I of a two-part series on the historic, scenic, and all-around inviting area of Ipswich and Essex, Massachusetts — contributing writer Bob Waite now asks us to back away from the table long enough to enjoy the other sometimes devilish delights the region has to offer.

By Robert Waite

Ipswich, MA – You can have a devil of a time in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Or at least the residents apparently did back in the 1740’s.

According to local legend, a visit by a famous English fire-and-brimstone preacher, the Rev. George Whitfield, to the town’s First Congregational Church, located atop Town Hill, attracted a crowd of thousands – and a curious Satan.

Whitfield, who had no sympathy for the devil, called Satan… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, cultural travel, Film Locations, Getaways, History | Tagged Cape Ann Massachusetts, Cape Ann travel, Castle-Hill-Great House Ipswich, Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Ipswich Massachusetts, Ipswich Massachusetts travel, John Whipple House | 3 Comments

Get Your Thrills from the Sea on Route 133

Published September 21, 2020 | By Clark Norton

The inimitable box of fried clams has helped put Ipswich, Massachusetts, on the culinary map

In his latest guest post, Bob Waite had me hooked with his first mention of fried clams, one of my favorite culinary indulgences.

And by the time I had finished reading his piece, I was salivating for a return trip to Cape Ann, a seafood haven and resort area that includes Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Bob grew up in Ipswich on Cape Ann, and writes here about his hometown and nearby Essex — one of which invented the fried clam (though both claim it). But wherever it was born, the Cape Ann area indisputably remains king of the clam. And that’s good enough for me.

By Robert Waite

Ipswich, MA – While many Americans back in the day were getting their kicks on Route 66, I was getting my thrills from the sea on Route 133.… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, food, Getaways, Restaurants | Tagged Cape Ann Massachusetts, Clam Box restaurant, Clam Highway, Essex Massachusetts, fried clams, Ipswich Massachusetts, Ipswich Massachusetts clams, Ipswich Massachusetts restaurants, Woodman's fried clams | 10 Comments

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