1962 to 2010: A comparison of ‘Backshore’

We recently stumbled upon two photos of the campground’s marina area which is affectionately known as ‘backshore’. For those who are curious, backshore is a geological term for the zone of the shore or beach above the high-water line, acted upon only by severe storms or exceptionally high tides. However, we tend to use it as a condensed version of “back over the hill to the shore”.

The attached photos were taken from an almost identical position close to 50 years apart. The first photo was taken in the very early years of Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean. The campground was merely an infant, at 2 years old. The second photo was taken forty-eight years later during our 50th anniversary camping season.

As many of you know, Murphy Cove is a 7th generation coastal fishing settlement where you can find a fisherman’s wharf and salt fish tanks from years past when schooners would load this cargo bound for the New England market. Over the years the Murphy’s have provided services such as schooner supply runs, rum running, moon shining, boat building, blacksmith services, farm produce, and sport fishing.

In 2003, Hurricane Juan destroyed what was remaining of our old wharf and lobster tank building. We promptly rebuilt and now a display of fisherman’s gear and tools can be found in what is known as the “Sailors’ Rest”, named after the song written by the late Canadian folk musician and songwriter, Stan Rogers. As our communal recreation hall, the Sailors’ Rest acts as a place to meet other guests and enjoy an early morning complimentary cup of coffee. The occasional friendly, not-at-all competitive, game of cribbage may even be played from time to time.