“Codfish aristocracy.” As much as I would like to take the credit for coming up with this intriguing phrase, I must attribute it to historian Robert Booth Jr. What it refers to is the booming fishing industry that burst in the mid-1700s in Marblehead, furnishing those involved — and the town at large — with wealth. One family that benefited from the boom was the Pedrick … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: Pedrick Store House
History
Back in time to June 27, 1973
"The Lure of Marblehead” continues to age well more than 50 years later, as the book’s proclamation of Marblehead’s beauty rings true in the form of a recent recognition. With my colleague Ryan Vermette’s report of NewEngland.com naming Marblehead as the top coastal town in New England, now may be a better time than ever to get a copy of Virginia Gamage and Priscilla Lord’s … [Read more...] about Back in time to June 27, 1973
Back in Time to March 1, 1978
This article is just another reminder of Marblehead’s history of celebrating art. In my time covering the town, I did many features on people who either have made their craft into a career, or do it solely as a hobby. Either way, the passion and effort has always been evident. From painting, to wooden quilt crafting, to graphic design, Marblehead’s artistic diversity may be … [Read more...] about Back in Time to March 1, 1978
Historic Building of the Week: The Sparhawk House
I am not always able to find historical photographs of the houses I write about. Sometimes, all I can ask for is a square on a map or a portrait of one of the residents. And then there are the buildings that have little to no recorded history, but a plethora of photos. Either way, what happens is that I get really, really excited about having so much information or having … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: The Sparhawk House
Historic Building of the Week: Marblehead Shoe Hospital
There was a hospital in Marblehead, except the focus was less on treating souls than it was fixing soles. Of course, I am talking about the Marblehead Shoe Hospital, which operated at 7 Atlantic Ave. According to documents from the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), the building was constructed by 1926. At that time, Wilfred Lemieux moved his … [Read more...] about Historic Building of the Week: Marblehead Shoe Hospital