January 9th, 2010
Growing up working on one of the oldest farms in America (run by the same family since the 1680s), my interest in local history was definitely the cause of some long-winded conversations with some of the old-timers. The farm was located adjacent to Maudslay State in park in Newburyport. In fact, the park itself used to be part of the farm before it was sold off to the Moseley family (Originally spelled Maudesleigh) around the turn of the century (1900s).
One bit of local history that always really interested me was the “Moulton Castle” that used to sit on what is now called “Castle Hill” in Maudslay State Park. To sum up, Henry Moulton was this civil war soldier. After the war, he came back and built a very real castle in Newburyport. I’ve know about it since I was a teenager, but every time I tell someone about it I always get the same response; “Yeah, right. A castle in Newburyport…”
Well, alas I have proof that can share! A close friend of mine, and son of the farmer I grew up with, just gave me what may be the “only” remaining copy of this:
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Tags: Castle Hill, Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Posted in Rants & Reviews | 3 Comments »
April 15th, 2009
Twice this week I have been walking in Maudslay after work, and twice I’ve seen Coyote while on the trail. The first time was at a bit of a distance, but tonight I came head-to-head with two animals not 50 feet away. I was walking down a trail deep in the park that runs along the farm, near Castle Hill. I glanced down a side trail as I past and there they were – two Coyote were standing in the path, motionless and watching me.
I stopped, and slowly pulled my camera phone out of my pocket. After fumbling a bit I was able to get one shot, but the animals were running away. I know, it’s not a great shot. I’m going back tomorrow with a better camera. I’ve seen them twice and want to get a few decent shots, the camera phone just isn’t cutting it…
Tags: Coyote, Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Posted in Nature & The Outdoors | 4 Comments »
April 2nd, 2009
Living in New England is just awesome. The weather is never boring, the people are generally decent, and I love the fact that I can sip coffee on the beach in the morning, take a hike in White Mountains in the afternoon, and catch a movie in the city at night. New England rules. I’ve lived in the Amesbury, Newburyport area most of my life. Now that I’m married, with family on the way, it somehow seems “right” that I own a home here.
I took advantage of the spring weather today, and wandered around town for a couple hours after work. While walking, I got a renewed appreciation for all the cool things I have in walking distance. I took some pictures:
I started the night with a quick three miles on my bike. This shot is from the top of the big hill at Woodsom Farm:
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Tags: Amesbury, Newburyport, Powow River, Woodsom Farm
Posted in Rants & Reviews | No Comments »
March 26th, 2009
Whenever I see a story like this it reminds me of when I was teenager and witnessed my first REAL fire. I sat on the street and watched a 5-Alarm blaze gut the historic YMCA in downtown Newburyport. I remember the heat coming off the building, the flames shooting a hundred feet above the four-story roof, the smells, and the sounds of the building buckling under the heat.
A local man died in that fire. I watched from a few hundred feet away and the power of the fire was simply terrifying. While this enormous structure was burning in front of me like a newly lit bonfire, there were firefighters actually running into the building to look for people. It’s hard to convey in words, it was like they were entering into hell. I could see them walk into the flames and vanish.
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Tags: Newburyport, YMCA Fire
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March 25th, 2009
Amesbury Ma has never been known for its nightlife. We have a few decent pubs like “The Barn” and the “Barking Dog” in town, but nothing particularly active. Well, I guess The Barking Dog can get a little jumping, but it’s nothing that would draw people in from other towns to experience. If you live in Amesbury, and want to go out for a night with some friends, you usually have to drive to Newburyport or Portsmouth to find something fun.
A few months ago a new placed opened up in town that seems to throwing everyone into a fury, the “Mad River Tavern”. I had someone tell me that is was hands down the best place to have some beers, watch a game and chill out. Someone even went as far as to say that it’s the best bar north of Boston. So, needless to say I had to scope this place out…
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Tags: Amesbury, Mad River Tavern, Newburyport
Posted in Rants & Reviews | No Comments »
June 26th, 2008
I lived in Newburyport for twenty years, and spent a good portion of my teenage years working on a farm in the north-end of town (Arrowhead). Having access to the farm was great because it abutted the 400′ish acre Maudslay State Park on like three sides, far at the back-end of the park – away from the main entrance and most of the foot traffic. This allowed my buddies and me to ride our bikes around the park almost every day, getting more and more familiar with the trail system from the inside out. In fact, I even used to drive hay rides in the park during the late 80’s and early 90’s.
I have a lot of history in the park, and a lot knowledge about the park itself. People have actually joked with me about giving tours around the park because I spit things out like “Hey, that’s the fairy garden,” or “If you look down here you will see the old well,” or “The Castle sat right on the hill here, you can see the steps over there,” and a bout hundred other interesting facts about the park. Well, at least interesting to me …
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Tags: Castle Hill, Hiking, Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Posted in Nature & The Outdoors | 3 Comments »
Whenever I see a story like this it reminds me of when I was teenager and witnessed my first REAL fire. I sat on the street and watched a 5-Alarm blaze gut the historic YMCA in downtown Newburyport. I remember the heat coming off the building, the flames shooting a hundred feet above the four-story roof, the smells, and the sounds of the building buckling under the heat.