So after having visited multiple cities that thrived industry from the Merrimack river like Lowell, MA and Manchester, NH now we finally visit the city at the very mouth of it.
Newburyport was an important ship-building city, its location was strategic to receive New Hampshire timber floated downriver. This was going well until the construction of the Middlesex Canal disrupted it, henceforth all the freight traffic went instead directly to Boston via the Canal.
Bisecting the Merrimac River, the Gillis Bridge connects Newburyport to Salisbury and vice versa.
Another claim to fame for Newburyport is being renowned as the site where the US Coast Guard was established.
The entryway into downtown is Market Square.
It was once a meeting place between American Indians and early explorers from England, France and Holland. They used to trade furs and fish back in the 1700’s given its closeness to the Merrimack River. All of these buildings above were row houses when originally constructed and today have been converted into restaurants and retail shops.
You will find a circular stone with inscription that reads:
“Pause O restless passers-by
Hear ye the lively stir of trade
Whilst echoes of freedom’s fury
Rise above the reek of burning tea
Mingling with the brisk breezes of the sea.”
— — Philip Stern
The building that had been home to Fowle’s News since 1903 had been used as a soda fountain and restaurant. Through the years it has gone through various owners and businesses yet the vintage sign remains.
Speaking of historic signage, ghost signs prevail within downtown Newburyport, you have that of Coca Cola and the defunct Bon Marche Department Store. We last saw a branch of it in Lowell.
This used to house the Five Cents Savings Bank and you could tell only by the presence of the antique vault alarm on the side of the building.
The bank’s present location is just across the street and still strives today. Just like in Amesbury, the bank graced the town with standing clocks bearing its name.
Although the 30-foot freestanding clock tower is new, the institution for savings building dates to 1870. It is actually the third bank in the United States to be incorporated.
The Dalton House is a historic colonial house built circa 1746 and is one of the best-preserved Georgian houses in Newburyport. The house was visited by several of luminaries of early American history including George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Here you have Mercantile Place (E. P. Dodge Building). It used to be a manufacturing operation of shoes. Today it is retail and condos.
The Tannery Marketplace is a collection of historic mills on the South End of Newburyport, Massachusetts. The buildings offer shopping and are aptly numbered 1 to 5.
Oldies Marketplace is a massive barn filled to the brim with all types of antiques, collectibles, and treasures.
If you want to do well in food options within Newburyport I recommend these 3 options in the order below. Go to Abraham’s Bagel’s & Pizza and grab a spinach bagel egg and cheese (they have many other flavors too if spinach is not your fancy), for coffee hit up Battle Grounds Coffee Co they are a local roaster based in Haverhill and this is their first outpost. Last but not least for your dessert fix hit up The Angry Donut for donut thats just better than Dunkin Donuts.
Newburyport is not a slouch either when it comes to pizza. You got two winners respectively Stone Crust Pizza and Anchor Pizza. Both also sell by the slice so you can try both and decide for yourself which one is better.
If you ask me a place for craft beer I’d recommend NBPT Brew. They had me with their NBPT Copper Ale, those that know me I enjoy malt beer and with only 5.5% alcohol by volume its not going to make you too tipsy for the ride back home.
