The first stirrings of the American Revolution reached the upper floor of the building in 1771, when printer Isaiah Thomas published his newspaper “The Massachusetts Spy,” long known as the oldest newspaper in the United States. In 1775, Capen’s silk and dry goods store became headquarters for Ebenezer Hancock, the first paymaster of the Continental Army. There is no reason to doubt that Washington himself was familiar with its surroundings. At the very spot where diners today enjoy their favorite New England specialties, Federal troops received their “war wages” in the official pay-station. During the revolution the Adams, Hancock, and Quincy wives, as well as their neighbors, often sat in their stalls of the Capen House sewing and mending clothes for the colonists.

In 1796, a future king of France lived on the second floor. Exiled from his country, he earned his living by teaching French to many of Boston’s fashionable young ladies. Later Louis Phillippe returned home to serve as King from 1830 to 1848.

1826 marked the end of Capen’s Dry Goods Store and the beginning of Atwood and Bacon’s establishment. The new owners installed the fabled semi-circular Oyster Bar — where the greats of Boston paused for refreshment. (Click here to see an original menu from the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House.) It was at the Oyster Bar that Daniel Webster, a constant customer, daily drank his tall tumbler of brandy and water with each half-dozen oysters, seldom having less than six plates.

The toothpick was first used in the United States at the Union Oyster House. Enterprising Charles Forster of Maine first imported the picks from South America. To promote his new business he hired Harvard boys to dine at the Union Oyster House and ask for toothpicks.

A college president was salad man here. Jack Coleman, President of Pennsylvania’s Haverford College worked in total anonymity for a few months during his sabbatical when he secretly sampled some of America’s rigorous jobs and lifestyles.

Oyster Facts

The oyster is a bivalve mollusc that has existed since prehistoric times.

Oyster Shells

The shell composes about 4/5 of the oyster’s entire weight, and is its only means of protecting its soft body.

Unlike the shell of the clam that is hinged at the long end, the oyster’s shell is hinged at the narrow end. The outside of the shell is rough and irregular but the inside is polished smooth.

Oyster shells have been used for centuries for various purposes. They have been used for roads and footpaths; as filling for wharves, low lands and fortifications; as ballast for vessels; as manure for exhausted fields; and as raw material for lime.

Oysters as Food

If natural enemies were not enough, man has an insatiable appetite for oysters, and is unrelenting in his efforts to harvest the delicious bivalves. Oysters are harvested either wild from natural beds or, as is more often the case today, from cultivated grounds. (Wild oysters are rough and irregular, while cultivated oysters assume a more uniform shape, and produce more standard meat.)

Not all oysters taste the same. In fact, of the many species, only a few have any commercial value. And the size, shape, flavor and food value of oysters are severely affected by their habitat, the foods eaten, and the temperature of the water in which they have grown. Oysters, due to their native element, are more or less salty, and in fact were at one time sold as accompaniments to drink.

Oysters were first served to the public in this country in 1763 when a primitive saloon was opened in New York City in a Broad Street cellar.

In the 19th century, the American people were enveloped in an oyster craze. In every town there were oyster parlors, oyster cellars, oyster saloons, oyster bars, oyster houses, oyster stalls and oyster lunchrooms. The oyster houses were very popular amongst the best class of people in the city. They were also popular amongst tourists because they knew they would get the choicest seafood, cooked and served in the best style. And with the “express” service and the coming of railroads, oyster houses became popular inland as well.

As early as 1926, the U.S. Public Health Service undertook a system of sanitary controls to safeguard the public and the industry with regard to the purity of oysters.

Pearls

When a foreign body gets lodged in the oyster shell, the oyster begins to build concentric layers of onion-like material, thereby giving birth to a “pearl.” Certain tropical species of oysters produce pearls of iridescent luster that are commercially valuable. Pearls come in many different shapes and hues, but the most valuable are the large, perfectly round and flawless, black pearls.
Rarely is a pearl of any value found in North American waters.

Product Features
When you order for 2 you’ll receive your choice of 2 frozen USDA Choice six ounce Filet Mignon Steaks or 10 ounce NY Strip Steaks packed in a sturdy, white box, and 2 frozen 5/6 oz Rock Lobster Tails. Optional: 20 oz of Lobster Bisque. Turf and Tails for 6 contains 3 times the seafood.

Rock Lobster Turf and Tails – Rock Lobster Turf and Tails with NY Strip Steaks

Product Features
When you order you’ll receive two 1.25 lb Live Maine Lobsters and 2/6 oz frozen Tiramisu Cakes. Optional: 20 oz of Lobster Bisque.

Live Maine Lobster and Tiramisu Dinner

Live Maine Lobsters with Tiramisu & Lobster Bisque

Product Features
The Lobster Lover’s Feast for Two includes 2 Live Lobster “Halves” (1.4 to 1.7 lb) or “Deuces” (2 to 2.5 lb) for the deluxe version and 20 oz Lobster Bisque The Lobster Lover’s Feast for Four has double the seafood of the Lobster Lover’s Feast for Two.

Lobster Lover’s Feast – Lobster Lover’s Feast for Two with 1.5 lb Live Lobsters

Lobster Lover’s Feast – Lobster Lover’s Feast for Two with 2 lb Lobsters

Lobster Lover’s Feast – Lobster Lover’s Feast for 4 with 1.5 lb Lobsters

Lobster Lover’s Feast – Lobster Lover’s Feast for 4 with 2 lb Lobsters

Other products by Gorton’s of Gloucester

Ingredients
Quality and freshness are the Lobster Trap Company’s trademarks. All our lobster are right off the boat, on to the dock and into our facilities. No other online service can match for freshness, quality and price. We store thousands of lobster in our darkened seawater tanks. The tanks are chilled to a constant 38 degrees, duplicating the lobster’s sea world environment. This method of storing helps keep them strong and healthy and ensures ample supplies year-round, even during the off season.

Product Features

Buy from lobsters-online

Order fresh, live lobster and indulge in this ultimate of treats so reminiscent of the New England Seacoast. Live Maine lobsters truly create a peak dining experience with their impressive display and unmistakable sweet, mild flavor. Live lobster shipped overnight right to your door. Check out some of our other Lobster Gift Ideas.

Item Details and Quality:
Maine Lobsters are carefully harvested in lobster traps from cold northern waters. Your live Maine lobster will be shipped via overnight express, carefully packed in an insulated shipping container complete with gel packs to keep the lobster cold and moist. Special packing materials will be used to ensure your lobster arrives alive and well. It is strongly recommended that you have live lobsters shipped to an address where they can be immediately refrigerated. Lobsters can stay alive for approximately 24 hours after arrival at your location provided they are kept in a cold, damp environment, and are able to breathe.

Our fresh, live Maine Lobsters are packed with fresh seaweed and claws banded. Choose from Maine Lobster “Quarters” (1.2 to 1.5 pounds), “Halves” ( 1.4 to 1.7 pounds), or “Deuces” (1.9 to 2.5 pounds), or “Colossals” (3 to 3.25 lbs). **Minimum order of 2 live lobsters.**

2 Live Maine Lobsters (2 included) – Live Maine Lobster 1.25 lb

2 Live Maine Lobsters (2 included) – Live Maine Lobster 1.5 lb

2 Live Maine Lobsters (2 included) – Live Maine Lobster 2 lbs

2 Live Maine Lobsters (2 included) – Live Maine Lobster 3 lbs

When you order, you’ll receive 1.9 lbs of fresh, live PEI Mussels and 2 Live Maine Lobster “Quarters” (1.25-1.5 lb) or “Halves” (1.5-1.7 lb)) packed in seaweed with claws banded. Optional: 20 oz of Clam Chowder.

Shore Cove Lobster Dinner – Shore Cove Lobster Dinner w. 1.25 lb Lobsters

Shore Cove Lobster Dinner – Shore Cove Lobster Dinner w. 1.25 lb lobsters & Clam Chowder

Shore Cove Lobster Dinner – Shore Cove Lobster Dinner w 1.5 lb Lobsters

 Shore Cove Lobster Dinner – Shore Cove Lobster Dinner w. 1.5 lb Lobsters & Clam Chowder

Our Maine Lobster Party for 2 includes the following: 2 Live Lobsters – You can choose 1.25 lb, 1.5 lb, or 2 lb Lobsters One 20 oz tub Lobster Bisque One 19 Qt. Lobster Pot Two shell crackers and picks Two bibs and yellow and white checkered cloth napkins Our Lobster Party for 4 contains double the seafood, one lobster pot and accessories for four

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 2 with 1.25 lb lobsters

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 2 with 1.5 lb lobsters

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 2 with 2 lb lobsters

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 4 with 1.25 lb Lobsters

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 4 with 1.5 lb lobsters

Maine Lobster Party – Maine Lobster Party for 4 with 2 lb lobsters

Buy from Gorton’s of Gloucester

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 2 with Filet Mignon

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 2 with Filet Mignon Chowder

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 2 with NY Strip Steaks

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 2 with NY Strip Steaks Chowder

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 6 with Filet Mignon

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast for 6 with Filet Mignon Chowder

Down East Maine Lobster Feast for 6 with Fillet Mignon – Paper Gift Certificate

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast with fillet – Email Gift Certificate

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast w filet – Paper Gift Certificate

Downeast Maine Lobster Feast with strip – Email Gift Certificate

When you order for 2 you’ll receive your choice of 2 USDA Choice six oz Filet Mignon or ten oz NY Strip Steaks packed in a sturdy, white box, and 2 Live Maine Lobster ‘Quarters’ (1.25-1.5 lb)) with claws banded. Optional: 20 oz of Clam Chowder. Also includes Seafood Accessory Kit with… 1 19 Qt. steel cooking pot 2 shell crackers and picks 2 yellow and white checkered cloth napkins. Our Feast for 6 contains triple the seafood and steak, one lobster pot and accessories for six.