Bourne is the first town you enter whether you cross the Cape Cod Canal over the Sagamore or the Bourne Bridge; in fact, the town of Bourne actually lies on both sides of the canal. This is a view toward Cape Cod Bay, taken while riding over the Sagamore Bridge.

Both bridges were built at the same time in 1933-1935 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This is an unusual perspective of the Bourne Bridge taken from the sidewalk on the bridge.

Looking westward through the Bourne Bridge, you can see Buzzard's Bay.

The railroad bridge is dramatic against the backdrop of the sunset.

This photo of the Bourne Bridge was taken near the State Police Barracks.

This view was taken from aboard the Cape Cod Dinner Train

The Sagamore Bridge is silhouetted in the misty twilight.

This view of the Sagamore was taken from beside the bike path. The sunset was more pastel colored on this evening.

The bike path, which goes between the canal and the railroad tracks, is a popular place, not only for biking but for rollerblading, walking, pushing a stroller, or riding a scooter.

This bright blue tugboat is on its way toward Cape Cod Bay.

A Coast Guard cutter passes through the canal toward Buzzards Bay.

The railroad bridge is raised to allow ships to pass through the canal and lowered when a train crosses. It is viewed here from Buzzard's Bay, on the mainland side of the canal.

A flock of ducks flies over the canal as fall draws near.

The Buzzards Bay Railroad Station houses the Canal Area Chamber of Commerce offices.

The Bourne Scallop Festival has been held each year in late September since 1969. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event to raise money for scholarships in Bourne, Sandwich, and Wareham as well as supporting its own information booths. Click on the plate of scallops to see more photos of the festival.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Buzzard's Bay has St. Peter fishing over its doorway.

A flea market on their front lawn helps them raise funds to support their activities.

The Bourne Fire Station dates back to 1933.

The former Buzzards Bay Bank, built in 1928, is now home to a gift shop.

The National Marine Life Center is also located in downtown Buzzards Bay.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the oldest co-ed maritime college in the country.




The hedges of the Bourne rotary welcome visitors to the Cape Cod side of the canal.

The American Lobster Mart is right on the rotary.

Aptucxet Trading Post is a replica of the first trading post in Plymouth Colony, built in 1627.

The colonists and Native Americans bartered here, using wampum, made from quahog shells, as currency.

There is also a salt refinery on the grounds.

We attended a Wampanoag Festival, highlighting the culture of this indigenous people. Members of the tribal council from Mashpee and Aquinnah demonstrated some of their traditional dances. They performed the Friendship Dance then invited members of the audience to join in the Mosquito Dance, the Moccasin Dance, the Fish Dance, the Duck Dance, and the Round Dance. Click to see video of the dances.

There was also a demonstration of the process of making a dugout canoe, first burning the log then scraping away the inside with a clam shell.


The railroad depot was moved to the Aptucxet grounds from its location near Gray Gables. A rock marks its former site.

Gray Gables was the summer home of President Grover Cleveland. It burned down in the 1970's.

This Monument Beach sunset can best be described as sultry.

Only in Bourne would you find purple dugouts!

The Briggs-McDermott House, built in 1830, was recently restored by the Bourne Historical Society.

This stone building behind it is thought to be some sort of storage barn. It is built into the side of a hill for protection.

Beside the Briggs-McDermott House is the blacksmith shop of Alonzo Booth, who began his business in 1888. It is rumored that he was the blacksmith for the horses of Grover Cleveland.

Across the street is the Jonathan Bourne Library.

The Jonathan Bourne Historical Center houses the Bourne Historical Society and the historic documents archive of the town.

Lush baskets of purple petunias hang on the front porch of this home.

Bourne United Methodist Church was established in 1831.

This tiny post office sits right on the road.

These bright yellow Black Eyed Susans make a colorful late summer display in Sagamore, a section of the town of Bourne.

Petals cover the sidewalk in front of this home in late spring.

The bell tower of St. Theresa's Chapel is silhouetted against the sky. The chapel is part of Corpus Christi Parish of Sandwich, the oldest Catholic parish on the Cape.

Cataumet is another village in the town of Bourne. The Cataumet Depot is right next to the post office.

Sharing the building with the post office is Catuamet Arts Center where local artists can exhibit their work.

Workshops and concerts are also given in this facility.

Gunjan Laborde has her loom in a room within the Arts Center.

The Cataumet Schoolhouse dates back to 1894.

Cataumet Methodist Church is another lovely New England white church building.

These lobster bouys and the fishing net are on the sides of a shed near Red Brook Harbor.

This red roofed home is typical of many early twentieth century New England houses.

Barlows Landing is a peaceful area in the village of Pocassett.

Red Brook Harbor is a busier area with ship building and shops.

After a delicious lobster dinner at the Chartroom, my birthday ended with a gorgeous sunset.

Venus and Jupiter were in conjunction for the occasion.

These sailboats have been put in dry dock for the winter.

Wings Neck Salt Marsh was recently restored by the town of Bourne.

Click the name of the town to see photos