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Summertime Beach
Communities
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Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard, is a popular getaway for
summer
visitors. It was originally known as "Holmes Hole" until
petitioners
forced its renaming in 1871. As the island's port nearest the
mainland,
it was for many decades a terminus for boats carrying passengers
and freight
from New Bedford and Nantucket. A fire in 1883 destroyed the heart
of
the town. Today, many of the shops along Main Street reflect the
architectural
style of the 1880s when they were rebuilt. This lithograph shows
the layout
of Vineyard Haven around 1880. Click to enlarge.
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In 1835, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, was founded as a
Methodist meeting
camp. Church groups from around New England would attend meetings
here,
sleeping in large "society tents." Later, families
pitched their
own tents, often adding wood floors or frames. During the 1850s
the tents
began to be replaced by miniature wooden cottages, and later, with
more
impressive cottages. Oak Bluffs grew to become a very popular
resort community.
Seen here is a stereocard view of the beach in Oak Bluffs. Click
to enlarge.
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In the eighteenth century, Marblehead, Massachusetts, was
important for
its fishing and Atlantic Trade industries. Since the late
nineteenth century,
Marblehead's harbor had been its most important asset. Its beauty
and
an interest in boating by vacationers has transformed it into a
summer
resort town. This image, View of Marblehead Harbor, was shot by
N.L. Stebbins
around 1888. Click to enlarge.
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The history of Nantucket Island can be traced back to the
Wampanoag Indians,
who lived there undisturbed until the mid-seventeenth century when
the
English began to settle. For many years, Nantucket was known as an
important
whaling community, and later on became a popular destination for
summer
tourists. This 1797 engraving is titled View of Siasconset, A
Fishing
Village on Nantucket. Click to enlarge.
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In 1639, Newport, Rhode Island, was founded by English
settlers. Many
of the original colonists relocated here from other colonies for
religious
freedom. It became one the leading colonial seaports, playing an
important
role in the Atlantic trade industry. To the right is a lithograph
of Newport
Harbor as seen in the nineteenth century.
By the nineteenth century, it was transformed into a popular
summer resort,
largely because of the preservation of its charming and historic
landscape.
Seen here is a stereocard view of Newport beach.
Newport is most famous for the mansions that were built and
inhabited
by wealthy and elite summer vacationers, such as the Vanderbilts
of New
York. Many of these mansions are now major tourist
attractions. Here is
an unidentified family playing croquet outside their
cottage. Click to
enlarge.
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The coast of Maine has long been a popular summer vacation spot
in Northern
New England. Old Orchard Beach began to take shape as a popular
summer
resort community as early as the 1830s. After the Civil War,
transportation
to the area steadily improved, with the building of the railroad,
which
brought many Canadians down from Montreal. Shown here is a ca.1880
view
of Old Orchard Beach. Click to enlarge.
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Bar Harbor, Maine, is known for its scenic diversity, which
includes
mountains and beaches on the ocean and lakes. It became a popular
resort
for summer vacationers, with several hotels and many fancy
cottages built
by wealthy individuals who wanted to vacation in a less
commercialized
area than a place such as Newport, Rhode Island. Seen on the left
is a
bird's eye view lithograph titled Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert
Island, Maine.
At right, is an engraving titled Mt. Desert Island, Coast
of Maine,
ca. 1871. Click to enlarge.
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This site and all contents © 2004 American Antiquarian
Society
Last updated December 10, 2004
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