This story is part of a new series that Swampscott Tides is publishing about historic locations in Swampscott. It was produced with the assistance of Jonathan Leamon, vice chair of the Swampscott Historical Commission and president of the Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute.

The early photographs were originally taken by Stuart P. Ellis of Swampscott.

The overlook at King’s Beach has been home to many memorable restaurants and takeout spots for more than 125 years.

Beginning around 1900, the location on Humphrey Street was home to Bradford’s Boulevard Cafe, which served fried lobster and clams.

Around 1920, the restaurant’s name changed to Blaisdell’s. It continued serving lunch, saltwater taffy, and ice cream. The restaurant remained there until about 1940.

For the next 40 years, until about 1980, the restaurant operated as Doane’s. The remodeled building became a Swampscott landmark and has changed very little over. The name “Doane’s” was later added just beneath the upper roofline, where it became a familiar sight.

The original Hawthorne-by-the-Sea is also visible in the 1947 photograph. It stands just behind Doane’s at its original location along the sidewalk.

Between 1980 and 1999, Doane’s became Dale’s. The restaurant’s name is visible in two places in this photograph.

During this period, some of the outdoor seating was enclosed to create additional indoor dining space, including the greenhouse-style windows visible in the foreground.

In 1999, Dale’s became Red Rock Bistro and Bar. The restaurant shifted from serving simple beach fare to offering a more upscale menu. Red Rock Bistro and Bar closed in early 2014.

The building was later reimagined as Mission on the Bay, which opened in late 2015.