I've obtained some period maps ... 1939 and mid 1950s gas station maps, and both the 1945 and 1947 Massachusetts Road Maps published by the Commonwealth's Highway Department (see this link ).  The 1939 and 1945 maps clearly show that the route 128 designation did not extend to Gloucester, along present day Rt 22 and Rt 133 to Western and Essex Avenue. It was only in 1947 that the 128 designation was added to Rt 121 (now the portion of Rt 133 from Gloucester to Ipswich) and Rt 22 to Beverly from Essex. The mid 1950's maps shows the completed A. Piatt Bridge over the Annisquam River, bit the portion of today's Rt 128 from Rt 22 in Beverly to the bridge is not completed. Old Rt 128 traffic from Essex via Essex Avenue used the new bridge to access route 127 to Lanesville, and Washington Street to downtown Gloucester. In the southern section, I note that in the 1937 map, the Route 128 designation ends in the Accord section of Norwell, not north through to Hingham and Hull. B...

I completed the excursion yesterday with a friend, Mike. It was a very satisfying and enlightening ride.  We were true to the plan from the start in Gloucester until the point in Randolph when we stayed on Canton Street after crossing Rt 24 rather than making a left on to Reed Street. We skirted south of the Great Pond rather than rounding the north side. This meant we missed the "Old Route 128" spur off West Street (which I was looking forward to exploring). We rejoined the plan at Hollingsworth Pond (Plain Street). We deviated from the plan again in East Weymouth at High and Commercial Street (taking High Street) and rode the fire roads and rail trails through Wompatuck State Park until we joined the plan on Rt 228 North at East Street and Hull Street. Wompatuck turned out to be an excellent pivot ... nice trail conditions and a water station at the visitors center. Then we were on plan to Nantasket Beach, where we enjoyed a refreshing swim. The temperature during the after...