Rockport Live Cam

We are located directly on sandy Front Beach, in the historic district within walking distance to Rockport's many famous shops and restaurants.

All rooms face the ocean with a breathtaking view of Sandy Bay. Watch the local fisherman lobster or catch the morning sunrise. We are a 24 unit Motor Inn, nine of which are efficiencies that come with stove, refrigerator, pots/pans, toaster, coffee pot and oak table and chairs for your convenience and comfort.

Each unit has private bathroom, wall to wall carpet, telephone and deck chairs on each balcony overlooking Front Beach. Front Beach is a very clean and safe beach for all ages. There is a raft to swim to and dive off, and also a lifeguard on duty during summer season.

The Captain's Bounty Motor Inn is a great place to come and relax and have one of the most enjoyable vacations ever. We are within walking distance to all restaurants, shops, art galleries and museums. Rockport's old fashioned trolley will take you around and explain the history of our quaint town.

Take a trip to Salem or Boston by train, go whale watching or take the kids on the "Land & Sea Duck". Whatever your pleasure or interest, the "family" at the Bounty will make your stay one to remember.

From Route 128 North take Route 127. Follow signs for Rockport. Down Broadway, left on Main Street, keep left. Beach Street is on the right.

Cape Ann Vacations

From early settlers to Hollywood filmmakers, the beauty of Cape Ann has drawn people from around the world. Gloucester's historic fishing port, Rockport's famous art galleries, the unique antique shops of Essex, and the old, New England charm of Manchester by-the-Sea, make Cape Ann the perfect vacation destination.

Enjoy scenic coastlines and breathtaking beaches, dine in elegant restaurants, explore fascinating museums, and see for yourself why we're the Whale Watch Capital of the World.

Stay in oceanfront accommodations and participate in countless festivals and celebrations. Cape Ann is captivating year-round. It's time you discovered why.

Founded in I 690, Rockport still maintains much of its original character. The incredible beauty and rich history of Rockport have inspired such world renowned artists as Winslow Homer Childe Hassam and Edward Hopper. The town continues to entice painters sculptors, musicians and writers. You will frequently find artists hard at work at their easels on Rock port's sidewalks. The Rockport Chamber Music Festival is an annual event which attracts famous performers from all over the world.

Over 30 inns, bed and breakfasts and motels offer exceptional comfort and service. Many of these accommodations have a unique history of their own and they boast fine antique furnishings. Rockport's restaurants feature the delicious bounty of land and sea in romantic settings. Since 1856, when the "Hatchet Gang Raid" led by spinster seamstress Hannah Jumper drove "demon run" out of town, Rockport has been dry. However, you are most welcome to bring your own spirits to our fine restaurants to enjoy with your meal.

If you are not relaxing, sunning, swimming, fishing, boating, birding or exploring, you will probably be visiting Rockport's countless shops and galleries where you will find an abundance of quality goods. There are exquisite antiques, original works by artists and artisans and just about anything you could desire.

Your vacation time is special and you want to spend it in a special place. Rock port is that place!

The following history of the Rockport Bandstand first appeared in 1990 in a Special Limited Edition of the Band Concert Program

Through her one hundred fifty years, Rockport, Massachusetts, a New England coastline town rich in local history, developed her granite history which goes back to around 1800. The Rockport Granite Co. with main office next to the Keystone Bridge in Pigeon Cove, and Branch offices were established in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, and Fort Worth, Texas. Granite was shipped to many places in the United States.

Rockport got its name when voters were asked to meet and discuss naming the town. The men in charge of town affairs: James Haskell, Thomas Haskell Ebenezer Pool, Jr., Amos Story, Jr., and Daniel Wheeler. Paper was passed out for voting purposes, 63 in number. At that time the suggested ' names for the town were Rockport, Granite, Cape Ann, and a last minute suggestion, Brest, East Gloucester. First ballot gave Rockport 24 of the 63 voted upon. Following are the votes on that first ballot: Cape Ann, 22 votes; East Gloucester, 7 votes; Brest, 8 votes. They balloted for a third time, after which the names GRANITE and ROCKPORT were chosen. In 1839 a decision was made that the name was to be ROCKPORT. In 1840, Rockport was incorporated as a town.

August 1893 Selectmen agreed to install electric lights. Gloucester Electric Light Co. did install 125 lights for the streets. Service on these began in 1894.

Progress in growing Rockport, activated the interest of tourists to the town. As a result, several hotels were built. It was unfortunate that quite a few fires damaged or destroyed these buildings. Necessity for substantial housing for these out-of-town guests, the more modern Hotel Edward was constructed in Pigeon Cove.

In 1890 in South Village, Turk's Head Inn was built to accommodate tourists for that area. This became very popular, and, due to the fact that they were turning away visitors, a new owner C.B. Martin added a new wing of thirty rooms to Turk's Head.

Rockporters had a great interest in music. In the churches and schools music was sponsored and entertainers in all fields of entertainment were invited to perform, and to give their concerts for the natives of Rockport, as well as the visitors attracted by the variety of programs.

In 1866 twenty young men from Rockport were asked to perform from a brass band. In 1867 they gave their first concert in Dock Square. This was well attended by the people of Rockport. In fact, it was so will attended, the band was encouraged to perform weekly. Patrick Gilmore, Impressario, was invited to perform at a local picnic. In July 1867, a picnic was held for the largest crowd they ever had.

Meanwhile, several local performers had a small traveling band which went from store to store on Main Street to attract interest to the various stores and help business. This was generally done on a weekend.

The Morgan Co., in 1872 in the Hyde Seed Building, rented stories to manufacture organs designed by William Manning, and played by him. The strong selling point for Mr. Manning's organ design was his claim that, for shipping purposes, these could be taken apart without removing the screws. The demand far exceeded his supply, as a result, his salesmen were withdrawn and, by 1876 the company was sold to Rust & Marshall of Manchester.

In September of 1871, under the direction of Signor Giovanni, trained canaries were brought to the Pigeon Cove House for a concert. These performances delighted the audiences; Signor Giovanni, imitating the canaries on his keyboard. In similar fashion, local organist Mr. Ryder, in the same year, imitated the tweeting of the birds, with his organ, during the playing of the Mocking Bird song.

In March of 1873 the Spaulding Bell Ringers upon invitation came and presented a wonderful concert.

Rockport through her one hundred and fifty years, from 1840 to 1990 gradually, but steadily has expanded aesthetically in her art and musical fields. It is the mecca for aspiring artists and, actually the home of many well known artists, and sculptors.

Band members have come and gone during the years, listed on the roster of Rockport Legion Band. Guests of the town, however, during Rockport's years of growth, have not been forgotton, and are listed in the historical data. Mark Twain, in the late 1800's was here as a lecturer. Buffalo Bill rode through Rockport at one time, after putting on a show.

Rockport Legion Band, in its early years known as American Legion Band, had its share of 'sit-ins' and guest conductors. The band got its start in March 1933 largely due to the efforts of Legionnaire John (Moogy) Hendrickson, at that time a trumpet player. He proposed to Legion Post 98 that there were quite a few musicians living in town and no longer playing. He asked that he be given a chance to try and get a band started. First call brought out enough men to encourage "Moogy" and the other organizers. There were not enough of the larger brass instruments, drums. There was some music and a few instruments left over from his younger days when Ernest Nelson took over the job of leading the new organization. It took a sense of humor, coupled with their musical abilities, for example, the beautiful big sousaphone, bought for $75.00, in today's market likely worth ten times that. Ernie Robinson could not understand why it blew so hard. Investigation gave him the answer! He found half a music stand and, when tipped upside down, a baseball rolled out. Needless to say, it played much easier.

As a band, their first public appearance was Memorial Day, 1933, only two months after their first meeting. After that, there was a concert every other week during that summer, held on the Legion grounds. The need for money was so great that on November 30, 1933 the band of thirty-two pieces--All Rockporters--assisted by the Niemi sisters played a concert in Town Hall, admission 35¢ for the benefit of the instrument and music fund. Ushers for that event were Guy Currier, (first drum major of the band) Fred Gustafson, Ralph Wilson and Olaf Norling.

Finally the post had a band--but NO bandstand. Through the combined efforts of the Selectmen and Post 98, Federal Funds appropriation was given for labor costs. Kendall & Young designed the bandstand. Work was supervised by Director Ernest Nelson assisted by John Huttenen and John Anderson. As it was strictly a Rockport product construction, 225 tons of local granite and stone; 7 polished slabs of granite for the sides were donated by Louis A. Rogers and Rockport Granite Commission.

July 22, 1938 the new bandstand was dedicated. The U.S.S. Mississippi was in Rockport Harbor. They sent two details of sailors and marines, as well as the battleship band. They participated in the big parade and the ceremonies. Representatives of state and town government, were present to hear Commander Jim Reilly deliver the dedication address.

Orginally Band concerts were planned to raise monies for the band itself; the Boy Scouts, the Christmas Tree Fund, (a continuing collection done each year); for Veteran's day here in Rockport where disabled men from local hospitals are brought here by the Legion for an entire day of recreation.

In 1935 Legionnaire Harrison B. Fears was elected Conductor. Under his direction the band made rapid progress setting up high standards for membership, with music examinations for new members. Rockport Legion Band became a first class musical organization. New members came in from the Cape Ann area. New instruments were purchased and the music library was greatly enlarged. Over the years, four band music libraries have been bought. Music from the old Clark's Band of Gloucester; latest addition from the former Gloucester Legion Band. By far the largest collection of music was from Holub's Band of Boston. A truck was sent to Wenham to pick up this material. Band library includes, today, 500 large concert numbers; nearly 300 marches; probably 500 old and new popular music including show tunes, popular tunes, Broadway musicals. Under the supervision of Band Librarian these are all properly catalogued and filed.

This band has represented Legion Post 98 in convention parades throughout the years in New York, in Boston, for which they raised the money to subsidized their entire trip expenses.

One of the outstanding qualities of these men of Rockport Legion Band is their desire to interest young people in band music, and in playing in bands. As far back as 1937 the Legion Band sponsored an article in the Gloucester Times hoping to get together a band from the local schools, in the schools. Having met with parents and pupils, demonstrating the instruments in the band, a band was formed and directed by Hermon Erwin, a member of Legion Band and a teacher in the high school. Members of the various sections of the band assisted in coaching these new musicians.

1940 was Rockport's Centennial year, in commemoration of which Harrison B. Fears wrote "Rockport Centennial March" a selection which has been and is played by the band at its summer concerts.

Rockport Legion Band has had soloists during their summer concerts. They have also had guest conductors who have 'sat in' during an evening's concert and played with the men. 1933-1990, fifty-seven years of lovely, memorable music played at Rockport Bandstand each Sunday evening during July and August.

Fifty-seven years fulfilling a tradition which began in accorddance with their by-laws which read: "to provide the Town of Rockport with a community band" and has continued since 1933. Conductors are elected by band members and the following men have served as Directors of Rockport Legion Band since its formation: Ernest Nelson; Harrison B. Fears; A. Pierce Grover; Ralph Parsons; Russell Scatterday; Stuart Lane; Andrew Jacobson; Jake Knuttenen; Wilton Syekes; Donald Poole; William Crowell, Present Conductor, who sincerely feels that a great deal of credit for keeping the band alive and active belongs to Russell Seatterday and Stuart Lane, both of whom conducted the band for several terms.

Rockport's Music Men have some very interesting recollections of incidents which have occured in these past fifty-seven years from 1933 to now.

When they were in the service a little paper called "The Bugle" was sent to every member in all of the branches of the armed forces. So accurate was this news bulletin about band members that several members discovered they were to be in an area when other members would be there. Because of this some men who had not seen each other for a time met for a reunion.

In other recollections, Rockport Legion Band has been fortunate enough to have 'sit-ins' as guest players in many concerts,. One evening alone guest players included: Jacob Knuttenen of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Handel & Hayden Society playing trumpet; Chester Roberts of Cleveland Symphony on Tuba; Saul Goodman of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on timpani; on another occasion Cyrus Durgin music critic from Boston conducted the band. In 1940, Rockport's centennial year (40th) they had Ranny Weeks, well-known orchestra leader conducting as guest conductor. In that year Mr. Weeks was Dean of Boston University Law School.

Rockport Legion has a music library the envy of many musicians fortunate to have had the chance to refer to it. Their musical scores include overtures, selections from operatic scores; ballet suites, musical comedy selections, concert and traditional marches, waltzes, popular tunes and patriotic selections. Instrumentally Rockport Legion Band is equally well-equipped. Base horns, sousaphone, kettle drums, mellophone, cymbals, glockenspeil, bells. Of course, some members of the band own their own instruments.

Promptly at 7:30 p.m. at North Shore's own Esplanade Beach Street, Back Beach, the Rockport Bandstand is the bandstand from which the summer series of outdoor concerts are played, every Sunday evening, during July and August--a custom in its fifty seventh year. Front-row seats are usually from your own automobile. Unless, of course, you prefer sitting on your own chair or blanket, on the grass around the Bandstand, a vantage point from which one can observe the musicians more closely.