Tag Archives: Provincetown

Provincetown Bathing Beach a Tourist Attraction

Brown's Bathing Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts

Brown’s Bathing Beach in Provincetown, Mass.

It was a time of discretion , when men and women covered themselves for the sake of modesty when bathing at a public beach. Brown’s Bathing Beach in Provincetown, was such a place where there were booths for changing into the appropriate bathing suits. Automobiles and trains enabled tourists to travel to scenic  beach side resorts such as  Provincetown, located on the tip of Cape Cod. It was a popular destination. With its narrow streets and houses built along the waterside, many guest houses and hotels established thriving businesses. Shops and restaurants geared to the tourist trade soon followed, creating a seasonal economy. Nowadays Provincetown is still a popular summer destination with a seasonal economy. It’s the winter economy that can be challenging for those who live on the Outer Cape year-round, Curious to know what it’s like in early spring before the tourist season? Read the  soon-to-be-released novel Remaining in Provincetown.

Giant Halibut caught in Provincetown Massachusetts

A 270 lb. Halibut caught in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

A 270 lb. Halibut caught in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

It’s been a long time since Halibut have been commercially fished off Cape Cod. This old postcard photo must have been taken in the last decade of the 19th century! Halibut supported important commercial fisheries from the early 1800s to the 1880’s but was severely over fished in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Thus you are unlikely to catch any Halibut off Cape Cod or Provincetown and if you do,  there is a bycatch  limit of one fish per trip and the fish must be at least 36 inches in length.

Halibut is the largest species of flatfish found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Maybe one day, if the population is  allowed to increase enough to create a thriving population, sports fisherman will once again be holding up a large Halibut they’ve caught for a photo opportunity.

Currently if you go out on a fishing charter boat from Provincetown harbor, depending on the season you will be fishing for Striped bass, Blue fish, Fluke, Codfish, or Blue fin tuna.

The love of fishing is pervasive and remains in Provincetown.

Provincetown’s Old Hotel Still in Operation

The Gifford House back at the start of the 20th Century.

The Gifford House back at the start of the 20th Century.

Provincetown has undergone many changes during the past 100 years but you can still recognize plenty of old businesses. The Gifford House has changed somewhat in physical appearance and the clientele is different. Wouldn’t it be nice though to see some of those elegant touring automobiles parked in front?  Was it the kind of  gay party place it is today when summer rolls around?

Welcome to Provincetown

The welcome sign when you first arrive in Provincetown was replaced several decades ago, and while the message still says “welcome”  and recognizes the importance of the fishing industry, the old sign let visitors know that counter to what many children are taught in school,  Provincetown not Plymouth was the first landing place of the Pilgrims.  VIsiit Provincetown and at the Pilgrim Memorial Monument and Museum you can learn more about the Mayflower’sImage visit to Cape Cod. There are many things about Provincetown the casual visit may not be aware of, but when you read Remaining in Provincetown, you’ll get an insider viewpoint.

Provincetown fishing industry

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It wasn’t that long ago that you could walk down to the end of the wharf and see lots of fishing boats. The  photo for this postcard was taken in the 1960s.  The Blessing of the Fleet is still going strong, however, and its a great celebration. Read about it in the soon to be released novel Remaining in Provincetown.

Gem on the tip of Cape Cod

Even back in the 1960s when this postcard was published, only a select group of travelers opted to make the trip all the way to the tip of Cape Cod. Those who were adventurous discovered a great vacation spot. Some loved it so much they decided to stay like some of the characters in the novel Image

Announcing a new book set in Provincetown

Remaining in Provincetown is the name of a fabulous novel, about to be published and this blog is the place where you’ll be able to ask your questions and make your comments. Want to know more?

This color lithograph postcard was created over 100 years ago. What's on that corner now?

This color lithograph postcard was created over 100 years ago. What’s on that corner now?

Old postcards figure into the plot.