Category Archives: Nature

Provincetown’s Herring Cove Once Called New Beach

The New Beach, Provincetown Postcard 1940s

The New Beach, Provincetown Postcard 1940s

Today this beach is known as “Herring Cove”,  but during the mid 20th century it was called “New Beach”.  The name came from the new Masachussets state highway constructed in the 1920’s, which provided easy access to the beach at the tip of Cape Cod. With hundreds of parking spaces, two bathhouses, and a snack bar— by the 1950s New Beach was a popular tourist attraction to visitors who wanted to enjoy a swim, regardless of the tide schedule.

In 1962 the National Park Service took over ownership and management of this popular beach and renamed it Herring Cove– the original name of the shoreline popular with fisherman. Beach grass was planted to try and slow erosion, but it’s been a losing battle.   Wave action, rising seas, and shifting sands have created havoc with the parking area of this beach long popular with nature lovers and nudists who have enjoyed the solitude afforded by the expansive dune landscape. Certainly the characters in Remaining in Provincetown frequent Herring Cove Beach a beautiful spot for watching the sunset.  It might even be a spot to hide a murder weapon or to bid a last good-bye.  Haven’t read the mystery novel Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook?  Autographed copies are available at The Provincetown Bookshop or buy a copy in trade paperback or as an ebook online.  Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

Corn Hill Cottages in Truro Near Provincetown Book Action

What a great view at sunset, high atop Corn Hill in Truro, you can look down on Cape Cod Bay and the Pamet River.  The site of Corn Hill is famous, because this is the location where a search party from The Mayflower while docked in Provincetown Harbor found the Indian’s winter stash of corn (November 15, 1620). There is a monument marker that tells the story at the base of the hill and at the top of the hill, are what were once the original  Corn Hill Cottages as shown in this postcard, built in 1900.  Originally there were two rows of cottages, but a fire in 1937  destroyed the lower row of cottages and they were never rebuilt. A great deal of modernization as taken place to the entire area with the addition of luxury homes that populate the once rustic area, but look closely if you take a walk in the area and you can get a glimpse of the older architecture.

Not too far from Provincetown, Corn Hill Beach and the Pamet are near some of the action takes place in the sequel to the murder mystery Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook.  Haven’t read the first book yet?  Autographed copies are available at the Provincetown Book Shop on Commercial Street and are also available online in trade paperback and as an ebook.  Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

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Reading some books about Provincetown will get you in the mood for your visit.

Reading some books about Provincetown will get you in the mood for your visit.

Truro Pamet River Inspires Second “Remaining in Provincetown” Mystery Series

Antique Postcard , color lithographic print, mailed with a two cent stamp.

Antique Postcard , color lithographic print, mailed with a two cent stamp.

At the time this postcard was printed and mailed, there was still a train that traveled the length of Cape Cod, all the way to Provincetown.  While Provincetown quickly became a bustling and densely populated settlement, Truro has remained primarily rural.  One of its fine features are the expansive sand dunes, marshes, and the Pamet River, shown in the above postcard.

As the sequel to the mystery novel, “Remaining in Provincetown” opens, Len Milbury is going for a run from the Truro Town Center Post Office to Ballston Beach on the road that runs parallel to The Pamet River.  In his backpack he carries a letter.  Is it a clue?

While the book’s title has not been finalized,  there is another book that follows “Remaining in Provincetown”.  In it you”ll get a chance to read more about the the lives and adventures of Frank Chambers and Roz Silva. But maybe you haven’t read the first book yet in which case, please do.  A new batch of autographed copies are about to arrive at The Provincetown Bookstore at 246 Commercial Street. And if you aren’t going to be in Provincetown, then you can always order the book online as a trade paperback or ebook. 

Remaining in Provincetown By S.N.Cook. Truro Works. 306 pages $12.95 Trade Paperback

Remaining in Provincetown
By S.N.Cook.
Truro Works. 306 pages
$12.95 Trade Paperback

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Provincetown Fishing Tradition Celebrated at Blessing of the Fleet

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This 1960’s postcard shows a plentiful catch of fish on a commercial fishing boat out of Provincetown.  Fifty plus years later and the commercial fishing boats are not as plentiful as they once were, docked off of MacMillan Pier.  Still the tradition continues and has been revitalized in recent years with the Portuguese Festival that has enhanced the annual Blessing of the Fleet. 

The end of June is a great time to visit Provincetown an the celebration begins this weekend on Thursday the 26th.  To get into the mood of Provincetown, pick up a copy of Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook , the recently published murder mystery that still has everyone talking.  What happens during the Blessing of the Fleet in the story set in the 1980s might give you some clues. A few autographed copies can be found at the  Provincetown Bookshop on Commercial Street or buy it online in trade paperback or ebook. Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

Provincetown East Harbor Now Pilgrim Lake

Pilgrim Lake approaching from Mayflower Heights Provincetown, Cape Cod

Pilgrim Lake approaching from Mayflower Heights
Provincetown, Cape Cod

This postcard shows what Pilgrim Lake looked like approximately 120 years ago, but it had already undergone many changes.

Once known historically as Eastern Harbor and later as East Harbor, the protected inlet was eventually diked in 1868 to make it possible for track to be laid for the railroad that made Provincetown into a thriving hub for fishing. The railroad took the fish from the Provincetown Wharf all the way to New York City.

But in building a railroad and a roadway in 1877, East Harbor became a lake known as Pilgrim Lake.

What’s interesting in this old postcard is that the dunes look fairly low and the vegetation is high. The vegetation is what caused the desalination. The fish population gradually depleted although in the mid 20th century there were reports of large terrapin turtles that lived in the lake. What did they eat?

The vegetation and wildlife continues to evolve as the National Park Service attempts to restore portions of the habitat.

What happens next? Only time will tell. Life is often a mystery.

Want to read a novel set in Provincetown? Remaining in Provincetown, “captures the characters and places perfectly,” says one reader review. “Finally an author has been able to successfully capture the flavor of that quirky town on the tip of Cape Cod and do it well,” says another. Available at Provinetown’s favorite local bookstore, Provincetown Bookshop,  or online as a paperback or ebook you’ll want to read Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook to get you ready for summer 2014. Like it on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

Fishermen of Provincetown a 19th Century Photograph with Style

Fishermen of Provincetown, Mass.

Fishermen of Provincetown, Mass.

The photograph could have been taken yesterday, but it was taken for a postcard published by the New England News Company in the late 1800’s.  Don’t you love the serious expression on these handsome men’s faces?   It’s the start of the season for visitors to start arriving for fresh seafood, long walks on the beach and over the sand dunes. There is, after all, no other place in the world like Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod.  Want to get in the mood with an appropriate book? If you haven’t yet read the mystery novel  Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook there is no time like the present. It’s available at your favorite local bookstores as well as online in trade paperback and ebook. Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going!

Truro Cape Cod Pamet River

Early 20th century Truro Postcard showing Pamet River.

Early 20th century Truro Postcard showing Pamet River.

If you live in Provincetown, you spend time in Truro–the adjacent township which is more rural in its setting.  Or maybe you work  in Provincetown and live in Truro. One of the beautiful spots in the town is the Pamet River. Over four miles in length, the river is named for the Paomet Indian tribe who lived on Cape Cod. It is probably their corn the pilgrims stole from Corn Hill after  they initially landed in Provincetown Harbor and then went further down the Bay in pursuit of food.
WIth the changes that winter storms have wrought on the coastlines during the past few years, its interesting to see this old postcard that was mailed in 1927 from Truro to Carver Road.   The writer was evidently staying in Truro but talks about going into Provincetown to enjoy parades and celebrations.  So even back in the 1920s, Provincetown was the place for parties.  Want to learn more about Provincetown read Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook, available online and in local bookstores. Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going. Pick up a copy of this week’s Provincetown Magazine and read a brief excerpt from the book.

Champion Provincetown Clam Digger

"Carl" Champion Provincetown Clamdigger

“Carl” Champion Provincetown Clamdigger

Quahogs and steamers were once in plentiful supply in Provincetown harbor.  The above antique postcard is a  19th century color lithographic print published in Germany by F. H. Dearborn, Provincetown Massachussets. The card shows a champion clam digger, “Carl”, wheeling his haul down Commercial Street standing in front of what is now Marine Specialties.
Clams were often used for fish bait. Nowadays  Cape Cod clams are enjoyed fried, stuffed, steamed, and in chowders. Because the clam population has become depleted due to overfishing, clam digging is closely monitored and restricted according to season.  But during the Great Depression, shellfish was an important source of protein for Cape Codders.
Everyone loves a creamy hot bowl of Clam Chowder on a cold damp day. A number of Provincetown restaurants serve delicious homemade chowder and one restaurant “Sally’s Chowder Bowl,”–a fictional location,  is a favorite dining spot of several of the characters in Remaining in Provincetown, the mystery novel by S.N. Cook.  Who likes to eat there and why? Read the book everyone’s talking about available online and at local bookstores. Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

Provincetown Cape Cod Seining Fish

Seining FIsh Provincetown Massachusetts

Seining FIsh Provincetown Massachusetts

This antique Provincetown postcard is entitled “Seining Fish” and was published by the Provincetown Advocate in the late 19th century. The American Indians used weirs, stationary nets to capture fish and fishing weirs were still a common sight in parts of Cape Cod  Bay in the 20th century. But another fishing technique, popular in the 19th century as depicted in this antique Provincetown postcard, was seine fishing. Seine fishing uses nets that are hung vertically in the water, set in place to catch a school of fish and then removed. The bottom edge of the net is held down by weights while the top of the net edge is held aloft by floats.  Purse seine fishing uses rings on the edges of the nets to gather the net together like a purse. That’s where it gets its name—purse seine.

Names can be very descriptive. What is the significance of the name of the novel, Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook? Who is remaining? Is it the murder victim or is it the characters who have chosen the town as their home and have chosen to stay? Want to learn more? Read the murder mystery available at your local bookstore or online as a trade paperback or ebook. Like us on Facebook

At bookstores that include the Provincetown Bookshop.

At bookstores that include the Provincetown Bookshop.

Like our facebook fan page and you may be selected to receive a FREE advance cppy!

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and keep the conversation going.

U.S. Lifesaving Service at Race Point, Provincetown

Firing the Lifeline

Firing the Life-line

The United States Lifesaving Service was founded in 1871 after an alarming number of fatalities occurred along the Atlantic coast during the winters of 1870 and 1871.

The stations were manned by expert surf men and boat handlers who patrolled the coast at night and during foggy and stormy days.  The buildings where equipment was stored were painted red so they could be seen from the sea and a sixty foot flagstaff signaled  passing ships by International code.

Nine lifesaving stations were built on Cape Cod in 1872. Captain Samuel O. Fisher was one of the Race Point station’s keepers and he had a horse that would help the crew by dragging the heavy boats and equipment across the sand.  Postcards that show the work of the early Cape Cod Lifesaving Service are highly desirable. It was a these types of antique postcards that Sonny Carreiro was looking at before he drives back to Provincetown and is inexplicably murdered. Want to know more about the mystery? Read the new novel, Remaining in Provincetown by S.N. Cook available at bookstores, including signed copies at the Provincetown Bookshop and online in trade paperback and as an ebook.Like us on Facebook and keep the conversation going.

Remaining in Provincetown By S.N.Cook. Truro Works. 306 pages $12.95 Trade Paperback

Remaining in Provincetown
By S.N.Cook.
Truro Works. 306 pages
$12.95 Trade Paperback

Like our facebook fan page and you may be selected to receive a FREE advance cppy!

Like our facebook fan page and you may be selected to receive a FREE advance cppy!