The Stones of Dogtown & Beyond: From Dogtown to Poole Hill

In the heart of Cape Ann, Massachusetts is a high flat rocky ridge which stretches from Gloucester to Rockport. The area is crisscrossed with old roads and modern hiking trails.  It is best known as the location of the abandoned village of “Dogtown” with its many ancient cellar holes and numerous inspirational sayings carved into the boulders by philanthropist Roger Babson in the 1930’s. The Stones of Dogtown and Beyond offers fresh insights into these well known landmarks and delves into forgotten aspects of the place’s history.

This guide takes a fresh look at the well known carved sayings and house numbers and reveals the unique differences in style which distinguish one carver from another. It reveals evidence of a long standing Native American presence on Dogtown Commons which has remained hidden in plain sight. It explores two 19th century granite quarries and points out examples of other stone splitting activity along the roads and trails. It delves into the mystery of Turtle Mound, a large unusual stone cairn in the middle of the former Haskins estate grounds, which is out of character with the estate’s Victorian landscaping.

The guide provides examples of all the subjects discussed, but it also offers each reader the opportunity to explore Dogtown and make their own discoveries.