Philip J. Thornton
@philipjthornton.bsky.social
Final in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Cape Ann Lanes."
You’ve made it to the end of my Route 127 Facebook Tour. Just go through the roundabout and take your first left. You’ll soon see a big blue sign that commands you to “BOWL.” It’s good advice.
You’ve made it to the end of my Route 127 Facebook Tour. Just go through the roundabout and take your first left. You’ll soon see a big blue sign that commands you to “BOWL.” It’s good advice.
May 6, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Final in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Cape Ann Lanes."
You’ve made it to the end of my Route 127 Facebook Tour. Just go through the roundabout and take your first left. You’ll soon see a big blue sign that commands you to “BOWL.” It’s good advice.
You’ve made it to the end of my Route 127 Facebook Tour. Just go through the roundabout and take your first left. You’ll soon see a big blue sign that commands you to “BOWL.” It’s good advice.
35 of 36 in the series: Mass Route 127 / "CAM."
The Cape Ann Museum’s main building is in downtown Gloucester, but they recently built a campus at the very end of Route 127 to display bigger, more modern work. I had never been there before last Saturday. They were having a show about pipe organs.
The Cape Ann Museum’s main building is in downtown Gloucester, but they recently built a campus at the very end of Route 127 to display bigger, more modern work. I had never been there before last Saturday. They were having a show about pipe organs.
May 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
35 of 36 in the series: Mass Route 127 / "CAM."
The Cape Ann Museum’s main building is in downtown Gloucester, but they recently built a campus at the very end of Route 127 to display bigger, more modern work. I had never been there before last Saturday. They were having a show about pipe organs.
The Cape Ann Museum’s main building is in downtown Gloucester, but they recently built a campus at the very end of Route 127 to display bigger, more modern work. I had never been there before last Saturday. They were having a show about pipe organs.
Number 34 of 36: Mass Route 127 / "Dogtown."
When the Europeans first settled here, they had to worry about pirates. So, some families moved further up into the woods. 100 years later, while the husbands were off fighting in the American Revolution, the wives kept dogs for protection: "Dogtown."
When the Europeans first settled here, they had to worry about pirates. So, some families moved further up into the woods. 100 years later, while the husbands were off fighting in the American Revolution, the wives kept dogs for protection: "Dogtown."
May 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Number 34 of 36: Mass Route 127 / "Dogtown."
When the Europeans first settled here, they had to worry about pirates. So, some families moved further up into the woods. 100 years later, while the husbands were off fighting in the American Revolution, the wives kept dogs for protection: "Dogtown."
When the Europeans first settled here, they had to worry about pirates. So, some families moved further up into the woods. 100 years later, while the husbands were off fighting in the American Revolution, the wives kept dogs for protection: "Dogtown."
33: Mass Route 127 / "Washington Street."
If you can find parking, park. And then walk up and down these insane twisty streets. It's all just sweet houses on a winding road with granite fences. You'll wear out your camera, even though there's really nothing here. Just charm. And no parking.
If you can find parking, park. And then walk up and down these insane twisty streets. It's all just sweet houses on a winding road with granite fences. You'll wear out your camera, even though there's really nothing here. Just charm. And no parking.
May 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
33: Mass Route 127 / "Washington Street."
If you can find parking, park. And then walk up and down these insane twisty streets. It's all just sweet houses on a winding road with granite fences. You'll wear out your camera, even though there's really nothing here. Just charm. And no parking.
If you can find parking, park. And then walk up and down these insane twisty streets. It's all just sweet houses on a winding road with granite fences. You'll wear out your camera, even though there's really nothing here. Just charm. And no parking.
No. 32: Mass Route 127 / “Lane’s Cove.” The roads are crazy, up and down hills and around corners. At the edge of this chaos is a quiet little cove. My daughter comes here in the summer and jumps off the rock walls with her friends. Every teenage movie should be set in Lane’s Cove.
May 2, 2025 at 11:21 AM
No. 32: Mass Route 127 / “Lane’s Cove.” The roads are crazy, up and down hills and around corners. At the edge of this chaos is a quiet little cove. My daughter comes here in the summer and jumps off the rock walls with her friends. Every teenage movie should be set in Lane’s Cove.
31 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Lobster Pool.”
At some point, you’re going to want lobster. This is the point where you should. Order your food, and then grab a picnic table on the lawn. Since you’re on a peninsula, you even get a sunset over the ocean (which is not easy on the East Coast).
At some point, you’re going to want lobster. This is the point where you should. Order your food, and then grab a picnic table on the lawn. Since you’re on a peninsula, you even get a sunset over the ocean (which is not easy on the East Coast).
May 1, 2025 at 12:06 PM
31 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Lobster Pool.”
At some point, you’re going to want lobster. This is the point where you should. Order your food, and then grab a picnic table on the lawn. Since you’re on a peninsula, you even get a sunset over the ocean (which is not easy on the East Coast).
At some point, you’re going to want lobster. This is the point where you should. Order your food, and then grab a picnic table on the lawn. Since you’re on a peninsula, you even get a sunset over the ocean (which is not easy on the East Coast).
30: Mass Route 127/"Halibut Point." This park gives you an easy hike past a photogenic quarry. Keep going through some twisty trails between brambles and over puddles until you get to the ocean. You'll be able to climb around on giant slabs and boulders while waves crash and seabirds paddle around.
April 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM
30: Mass Route 127/"Halibut Point." This park gives you an easy hike past a photogenic quarry. Keep going through some twisty trails between brambles and over puddles until you get to the ocean. You'll be able to climb around on giant slabs and boulders while waves crash and seabirds paddle around.
29: Mass Route 127/“Rockport.”
Heading up 127A, you'll eventually hit Rockport and want to grab some taffy and see an art gallery. Also, find your way to the beach behind Shalin Lu Performance Center for the best seaglass hunting that we've found.
Heading up 127A, you'll eventually hit Rockport and want to grab some taffy and see an art gallery. Also, find your way to the beach behind Shalin Lu Performance Center for the best seaglass hunting that we've found.
April 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
29: Mass Route 127/“Rockport.”
Heading up 127A, you'll eventually hit Rockport and want to grab some taffy and see an art gallery. Also, find your way to the beach behind Shalin Lu Performance Center for the best seaglass hunting that we've found.
Heading up 127A, you'll eventually hit Rockport and want to grab some taffy and see an art gallery. Also, find your way to the beach behind Shalin Lu Performance Center for the best seaglass hunting that we've found.
28: Mass Route 127/“Good Harbor Beach.”
After a beautiful drive/bike-ride along Atlantic Road, you can find this big sandy beach with waves just big enough to attract a few surfers. Build a sand castle and watch a seagull steal your Doritos.
After a beautiful drive/bike-ride along Atlantic Road, you can find this big sandy beach with waves just big enough to attract a few surfers. Build a sand castle and watch a seagull steal your Doritos.
April 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
28: Mass Route 127/“Good Harbor Beach.”
After a beautiful drive/bike-ride along Atlantic Road, you can find this big sandy beach with waves just big enough to attract a few surfers. Build a sand castle and watch a seagull steal your Doritos.
After a beautiful drive/bike-ride along Atlantic Road, you can find this big sandy beach with waves just big enough to attract a few surfers. Build a sand castle and watch a seagull steal your Doritos.
27 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Eastern Point Lighthouse.”
You have to drive past a dozen signs that say you are not allowed to drive past the signs, but you are. Hike out on the half-mile-long sea wall for the best views. Winslow Homer lived here for a while in 1880. You’ll understand why.
You have to drive past a dozen signs that say you are not allowed to drive past the signs, but you are. Hike out on the half-mile-long sea wall for the best views. Winslow Homer lived here for a while in 1880. You’ll understand why.
April 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
27 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Eastern Point Lighthouse.”
You have to drive past a dozen signs that say you are not allowed to drive past the signs, but you are. Hike out on the half-mile-long sea wall for the best views. Winslow Homer lived here for a while in 1880. You’ll understand why.
You have to drive past a dozen signs that say you are not allowed to drive past the signs, but you are. Hike out on the half-mile-long sea wall for the best views. Winslow Homer lived here for a while in 1880. You’ll understand why.
No. 26 in the series / Mass Route 127. “Gloucester” / America’s oldest seaport. Perfect Storm. St. Peter’s
Festival in June. Whale watches.
Festival in June. Whale watches.
April 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
No. 26 in the series / Mass Route 127. “Gloucester” / America’s oldest seaport. Perfect Storm. St. Peter’s
Festival in June. Whale watches.
Festival in June. Whale watches.
25th in the series “Mass Route 127. “Stage Fort Park.”
If you’ve been to see Plymouth Rock, you were—like everyone else who has been to see Plymouth Rock—disappointed. What you had hoped for is, instead, here.
If you’ve been to see Plymouth Rock, you were—like everyone else who has been to see Plymouth Rock—disappointed. What you had hoped for is, instead, here.
April 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
25th in the series “Mass Route 127. “Stage Fort Park.”
If you’ve been to see Plymouth Rock, you were—like everyone else who has been to see Plymouth Rock—disappointed. What you had hoped for is, instead, here.
If you’ve been to see Plymouth Rock, you were—like everyone else who has been to see Plymouth Rock—disappointed. What you had hoped for is, instead, here.
24: Mass Route 127/“Ravenswood Park.”/ 600 acres of forest
allow year-round hiking on 10 miles of easy trails. Ferns, magnolias,
hemlocks, boulders. Dog-friendly. The park was donated by Gloucester
native Samuel Sawyer. He also started a program that introduced music into the public schools.
allow year-round hiking on 10 miles of easy trails. Ferns, magnolias,
hemlocks, boulders. Dog-friendly. The park was donated by Gloucester
native Samuel Sawyer. He also started a program that introduced music into the public schools.
April 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
24: Mass Route 127/“Ravenswood Park.”/ 600 acres of forest
allow year-round hiking on 10 miles of easy trails. Ferns, magnolias,
hemlocks, boulders. Dog-friendly. The park was donated by Gloucester
native Samuel Sawyer. He also started a program that introduced music into the public schools.
allow year-round hiking on 10 miles of easy trails. Ferns, magnolias,
hemlocks, boulders. Dog-friendly. The park was donated by Gloucester
native Samuel Sawyer. He also started a program that introduced music into the public schools.
No. 23: Mass Route 127/“Hammond Castle.” You’ll pass by a lot of mansions. But this is the one you want to see. John Hays Hammond Jr. was a genius inventor. His success allowed him to build a house in 1926 that also serves as a museum of technology to inspire people to fall in love with engineering.
April 23, 2025 at 12:34 PM
No. 23: Mass Route 127/“Hammond Castle.” You’ll pass by a lot of mansions. But this is the one you want to see. John Hays Hammond Jr. was a genius inventor. His success allowed him to build a house in 1926 that also serves as a museum of technology to inspire people to fall in love with engineering.
No. 22: Mass Route 127 / “Rafe’s Chasm.” It’s a short hike to bright
orange rocky cliffs. It was named after a man (probably “Ralph”?) who
was freed from slavery in the early 1800’s, moved here and made his
living as a builder of stone walls.
orange rocky cliffs. It was named after a man (probably “Ralph”?) who
was freed from slavery in the early 1800’s, moved here and made his
living as a builder of stone walls.
April 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
No. 22: Mass Route 127 / “Rafe’s Chasm.” It’s a short hike to bright
orange rocky cliffs. It was named after a man (probably “Ralph”?) who
was freed from slavery in the early 1800’s, moved here and made his
living as a builder of stone walls.
orange rocky cliffs. It was named after a man (probably “Ralph”?) who
was freed from slavery in the early 1800’s, moved here and made his
living as a builder of stone walls.
No. 21: Mass Route 127 / “Coolidge.” This was the location of a summer
mansion for Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, grandson of President Jefferson. A powerful guy, lots of money, big summer houses, houses torn down, descendants sell the land, now you go there and take photos of sunsets.
mansion for Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, grandson of President Jefferson. A powerful guy, lots of money, big summer houses, houses torn down, descendants sell the land, now you go there and take photos of sunsets.
April 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM
No. 21: Mass Route 127 / “Coolidge.” This was the location of a summer
mansion for Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, grandson of President Jefferson. A powerful guy, lots of money, big summer houses, houses torn down, descendants sell the land, now you go there and take photos of sunsets.
mansion for Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, grandson of President Jefferson. A powerful guy, lots of money, big summer houses, houses torn down, descendants sell the land, now you go there and take photos of sunsets.
No. 20: Mass Route 127 / “Singing.” The sand on this beach squeaks when you walk on it, so it is called Singing Beach. Long after you don’t care about that anymore, you will find other reasons to
love it.
love it.
April 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
No. 20: Mass Route 127 / “Singing.” The sand on this beach squeaks when you walk on it, so it is called Singing Beach. Long after you don’t care about that anymore, you will find other reasons to
love it.
love it.
Number 19 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Manchester by the Sea.” The movie “State and Main” was a comedy released in 2000. The plot: a movie crew is trying to make a movie in a town so cute that its very cuteness becomes a running joke. They found the perfect location in Manchester by the Sea.
April 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Number 19 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Manchester by the Sea.” The movie “State and Main” was a comedy released in 2000. The plot: a movie crew is trying to make a movie in a town so cute that its very cuteness becomes a running joke. They found the perfect location in Manchester by the Sea.
No. 18: Mass Route 127 / “Tucks Point.” The gazebo was built in the
early 1900’s by Boston architect, E.A.P. Newcomb (1846 - 1923). This is a beautiful and cool place to hang out, and that is even before you know that the “E.A.P.” in the architect’s name stands for “Edgar Allen Poe.”
early 1900’s by Boston architect, E.A.P. Newcomb (1846 - 1923). This is a beautiful and cool place to hang out, and that is even before you know that the “E.A.P.” in the architect’s name stands for “Edgar Allen Poe.”
April 18, 2025 at 10:33 AM
No. 18: Mass Route 127 / “Tucks Point.” The gazebo was built in the
early 1900’s by Boston architect, E.A.P. Newcomb (1846 - 1923). This is a beautiful and cool place to hang out, and that is even before you know that the “E.A.P.” in the architect’s name stands for “Edgar Allen Poe.”
early 1900’s by Boston architect, E.A.P. Newcomb (1846 - 1923). This is a beautiful and cool place to hang out, and that is even before you know that the “E.A.P.” in the architect’s name stands for “Edgar Allen Poe.”
No. 17: Mass Route 127 / “The Farms.” If you happen to be here on July 4th, make your way to Beverly Farms for the Horribles Parade, the intentionally offensive and crude celebration of free speech that has made people furious for over 130 years.
April 17, 2025 at 10:07 AM
No. 17: Mass Route 127 / “The Farms.” If you happen to be here on July 4th, make your way to Beverly Farms for the Horribles Parade, the intentionally offensive and crude celebration of free speech that has made people furious for over 130 years.
No. 16: Mass Route 127 / “Good Neighbors.”/ Henry Frick was a steel-industry giant in the 1800’s with a mansion on this hill with ornate iron fences. Frick’s daughter donated the fences for a World War II scrap drive. The posts still stands, reminding us that some rich people fight fascism.
April 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
No. 16: Mass Route 127 / “Good Neighbors.”/ Henry Frick was a steel-industry giant in the 1800’s with a mansion on this hill with ornate iron fences. Frick’s daughter donated the fences for a World War II scrap drive. The posts still stands, reminding us that some rich people fight fascism.
Number 16 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Prides Crossing Confections.”/ I’ve given you several spots that would be perfect for you to stop and eat some snacks by the ocean. I will tell you about others. So, in preparation for those opportunities, a wise person would pull over and stock up, now.
April 15, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Number 16 in the series: Mass Route 127 / “Prides Crossing Confections.”/ I’ve given you several spots that would be perfect for you to stop and eat some snacks by the ocean. I will tell you about others. So, in preparation for those opportunities, a wise person would pull over and stock up, now.
14: Mass Route 127 / “Mingo Beach.” You can visit this beach, and it is truly beautiful, but the real kick comes when you are just driving along, thinking about other things, and then — wow — there is that view, directly out of your windshield.
April 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
14: Mass Route 127 / “Mingo Beach.” You can visit this beach, and it is truly beautiful, but the real kick comes when you are just driving along, thinking about other things, and then — wow — there is that view, directly out of your windshield.
No. 13: Mass Route 127 / “Bourke Arena.” I’m from Missouri, and this is exotic to me. It’s so fun, and they have pretzels. If you plan to drive 127, first, check the schedule for a youth game. Let me know. I will meet you there.
April 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
No. 13: Mass Route 127 / “Bourke Arena.” I’m from Missouri, and this is exotic to me. It’s so fun, and they have pretzels. If you plan to drive 127, first, check the schedule for a youth game. Let me know. I will meet you there.
12: Mass Route 127 / “Hospital Point Light House.” The house itself is home to the commander of the First Coast Guard District. The light tower, the house, and the view is so incredibly romantic, you will want to come back at night with someone who will sit on the rock wall and hold your hand.
April 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
12: Mass Route 127 / “Hospital Point Light House.” The house itself is home to the commander of the First Coast Guard District. The light tower, the house, and the view is so incredibly romantic, you will want to come back at night with someone who will sit on the rock wall and hold your hand.