Swampscott Fish House

The Swampscott Fish House is a rectangular building with Colonial Revival elements, a hipped roof, and a central pavilion with wood balustrade. The ground floor provides lockers for fishermen, while upper floors contain space for other activities and storage.

The building was constructed in 1896 and replaced multiple individual fishing shacks that previously lined the waterfront. This consolidation marked a shift in how the local fishing community organized its resources and activities.

The building continues to serve its original purpose as storage for local fishermen and has hosted a sailing club for many decades. Its daily use by anglers shows how traditional fishing practices persist in this community.

The building is located near the beach and accessible from Humphrey Street. Visitors should expect limited hours and remember this is an active fishing facility, not a museum or formal tourist attraction.

It is recognized as the oldest continuously operating fishing facility of its kind in America and appears on the national register. Its use for over a century shows how rare it is to find such original fishing community centers still in operation.

Location: Swampscott

Architects: Henry Wade Rogers

Architectural style: Shingle style architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.46750,-70.91028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20