- Area: Cape Ann
- State: Massachusetts
- Country: United States
- Source: Bodin Collection
- Approx. Date: Unknown
- Photographer: Unknown
Luscious trees and grasses grow along a small island inlet in the waters of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The water is calm, with minor rippling due to the steady flow of the tide. The island is covered with overgrown grasses and thick, dense trees; some of which grow quite low to the ground. Far in the background, a wooden house is camouflaged by the leafy branches of several trees growing in front of the building. Yet what stands out most in the photograph is a burgee flag positioned in the lower right corner of the photograph. Two stars are visible along the upper and lower corners of the flag, and it appears to represent a Massachusetts yacht club from the late 1800s.
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the rocky Cape Ann has a rich history dating back to 1623 when British colonizers first settled in the area. Because of its rocky terrain and infertile soil, it was difficult for the settlers to thrive in the agricultural business; however, they did choose to take advantage of the region's seaside location and delve into the fishing industry instead. The cape was divided into a city and three towns, the most famous of these locations is the city of Gloucester due to its prominent fishing and boating industries. Cape Ann also came to be known for its granite throughout the mid-1800s. The granite was transformed into paving stones used as finishing for streets and roads.
From the collection of Fred Bodin of Gloucester, MA. Fred was a long time resident and well-known photographer of Gloucester and had one of the best private collections of New England nautical photographs in private hands. Fred was a photojournalist having graduated with this degree from Syracuse University and worked for Yankee Magazine. Fred passed away in 2016 and HIP purchased his collection from his estate.