LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 608 710 A GUIDE TO NANTUCKET WITH MAPS OF THE ISLAND THE TOWN AND 'SCONSET By J. H. ROBINSON FORMERLY OF NANTUCKET Copyrinht, IWS, by J. H. Rubi.xkjx JUN 28 1905 - ^ U~ KK<- (Kj. NANTUCKET. First Glimpse. Whether this be our first trip to Nantucket or one of many, we are eager to catch the first glimpse of the island in the distance, as it appears to rise slowl}- out of the water. That all nxzy have an equal chance to share the honors of first sight, the following infor- mation is given : Leaving Cottage City, the steamer heads for Nantucket. On the right Cape Poge Light is soon passed, and nine miles beyond (not yet in sight) is Muskeget, one of the group of islands forming the county of Nantucket. If the day be clear and we keep a sharp lookout ahead (bearing a little to the right', Muskeget, just referred to, the island of Tuckernuck, and finally Nan- tucket can be seen — at first a faint haze, but every moment increasing in distinct- ness. The Wannacomet water tank, from which the town of Nantucket is supplied, appears like a black spot on the horizon, and then the houses on the cliff, back of which the town itself is hidden. Nantucket is the largest Notes of Interest. r „ „,^„„ ^r -lo^j^ or a group or islands known as Nantucket county, Massachu- setts. It is situated about thirty miles south of Cape Cod, Nantucket Sound being on the north and the Atlantic Ocean on the east and south. The nearest land on the east is Portugal, and on the south the West Indies. In summer the temperature of the atmos- phere is rarely over eighty-five degrees, while that of the water is from seventy to seventy-four degrees. An ideal place to spend a vacation is Nantucket, whether it be for the sake of health or entirely for pleasure. If for health, all the benefits of an ocean voyage may be expected. Malaria is unknown. All physicians, whether summer or perma- nent residents, agree that the climate is most beneficial for recuperative purposes. The pleasure- seeker will find all that can be desired at the seaside. To his heart's content he may indulge in bathing — still- water or surf ; in boating — sailing or row- ing ; in fishing, in driving, or in bicycling. Botanists have here an exceptional field. On the moors wild flowers of rare beaut\' grow in variety, while in the town the English ivy flourishes throughout the year. Artists find in the quaint old place oppor- tunities for their talent. The town clock in the Unitarian Church tower (^churches are marked on the map ) strikes the hour of the day, the bell pealing forth for a little while at seven in the morn- ing, at noon, and at nine in the evening. The population is 3,000 at present, but it was 9,7r2 in 1S40, at which time Nan- tucket was the largest whaling port in the world . The "Bedford." a Nantucket whaler. was the first vessel to hoist the American flag in a British port after the Revolution. In rSjo whales could be seen from look- outs erected on the south side of the island, and were captured by men who put out in small boats from the shore. Only a few large trees are found on the island, outside of the town, although there is evidence that in r630 several groves ex- isted, which were used probabl}- for building purposes. There are small groves of dwarf pines, the first planted in rS47. TOWN OF NANTUCKET. (See map opposite.) Nantucket Historical Here may be found Society (Museum). many interesting old records, and also a fine museum, considered one of the best in .he State. The old meeting-house on Fair street, adjoining the fireproof building of the Society, was built by the Friends in 1838, being originally used by them as a school. Old House. This is the Jethro Coffin house, on North Shore Hill On the front of the chimney there is a horseshoe formed of brick, while on the back we read " 1686," the date when the house was built. Old North Vestry. This structure, built of wood grown on the island, was erected in 171 1, west of the town. In 1765 it was moved to Beacon Hill, where the present Congregational Church is located, and in 1834 was shifted toward the rear of the site so as to make room for the new church building, in con- nection with which it is still used. Jail. Built in 1805, it ^^^^ ever been noted for the fewness and orderliness of its occupants. Old Windmill. It was built in 1746. The timbers used in its con- struction are said to have grown just across Dead Horse Valley, on the south. Public Library. The Public Library is at the Atheneum, on Federal street. Among its many volumes may be found books relating to Nantucket. Cliff Bathing; Beach. The beach is noted for its still - water bathing. Can be reached by carriage, mak- ing regular trips from Main street ; b}' the boat, leaving the Old North wharf, or by walking, as many prefer. Warm salt-water baths can be had at an e.stablishment near the steamboat wharf. Cemeteries. The cemeteries, most of which are shown on the map, are in- teresting because of their quaint epitaphs. The oldest burial ground is on a hill near Maxcy's Pond, west of the town, where a granite monument has been recently erected over the grave of John Gardiner, one of the great men who had to do with the begin- nings of Nantucket. The next oldest ceme- tery is the Old North. Brant Point. This is the site of the first light-house in the United States, erected in 1746. Unitarian Church From this tower a fine Tower. view may be had of the town and island. It is not open at all hours, the most favorable time for a visit being when the bell rings at noon. The Cliff, From the Cliff on a clear North Shore, day, many vessels may be seen sailing down the Sound. Birthplace of Maria Maria Mitchell, the Mitchell. great astronomer, was born here in August, 18 18, her birthplace an old house in Vestal street, near the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monu- ment. Its building dates back to 1790. VILLAGE OF SIASCONSET. (See map opposite.) Siasconset. Commonly called " 'Sconset;" can be reached by train, or by carriage or bicycle via Orange street and State road. A fine drive is by way of Polpis and Sankaty Light, returning by the State road. Shawaukemmo Spring is on the road to Polpis. Fine surf bathing at 'Sconset, where also are several hotels. x\ wireless telegraph station here, the first in America established for actual business, reports the movements of ocean liners pas.sing about sixty miles south of the island. It is a pleasant walk along the bluflf to Sankaty Head, or across the beach to Tom Never's Head (where a naval battle took place in 1814 just offshore), or over the moors back of the town. OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST, (See map of the island for location, distances, etc.) Wattwinet. Wauwinet is at the head of the harbor near the narrow stretch of beach called the " Haulover," so named because small boats used to be hauled over it as a short cut home, thus saving the sail around Great Point. In recent years the ocean has broken through into the harbor, and the passageway thus created is called the " Haulover Opening." Wauwinet can be reached by boat from the Old North wharf, or by carriage or bicy- cle via Orange street and Polpis. Good drinking water may be had at Shawaukemmo Spring, on the road to Polpis, and at Eat Fire Spring, on the road to Wauwinet. While at Wauwinet you may enjoy the still- water or surf bathing, or a walk up the beach to the "opening" ortoSquam Head. Dinner can be had at the hotel here, but many prefer to picnic on the beach while watching the surf. Quidnet. Quidnet is reached by carriage via Orange street, Shawaukemmo Spring, and Polpis. The attractions consist of surf bathing, shore dinners, perch fishing in Sesachacha Pond, and walk to Squarn Head or Sankaty. Surfside, Surfside, where the Surfside Life- saving Station is situated, is at the South Shore. It is reached by carriage or bicycle via Main street. Pleasant street, and Atlantic avenue, or you may reach it on foot, it being a fine walk by the bicycle path, which branches from the main road on your right when well out of town. Great Neck. This is the site of the Mad- dequet Life-saving Station, and is reached by carriage or bicycle via Main street and Maddequet road. Fountain on the Maddequet road marks the site of Peter Folger's house, where on August 15, 1667, was born his daughter Abiah, mother of Benjamin Franklin. Maddequet, on the right before reaching the Life-saving Station, is probably where the first settlers landed. Boats and Fishing^. Sail boats with skip- pers are for hire at the steamboat wharf for fishing and sailing par- ties. Boats without skippers and also row- boats can be hired at the Old North wharf. Wrecks. Wrecks of vessels are sometimes found along shore partly embed- ded in the sand. OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST (Continued). Life-saving Stations. Besides those at Surf- Long Rambles. To the Cliff, thence along side and Great Neck, shore to Eel Point, already mentioned, there are life-saving sta- m o c • i i , i ^ tions at Coskata and at Muskeget. ^9 Surfside, thence along shore to Great The Coskata Station, formerly reached ^^^k. by the beach road from Wauwinet, has been Ride to 'Sconset, thence along shore to entirely isolated since the Haulover opening. Surfside. It is a fine walk up the beach from Coatue, ^,r^ -^-ii-r^i ■, r^ , which is across from Brant Point. .^^^ Sconset via Gibbs Pond and Sauls To Muskeget is a delightful sail. ■^^^^^• During the months of June and July sta- To Wauwinet by boat, thence along shore tions are in charge of the keeper only; they to 'Sconset. are fully manned all the other months of iv^,-,, t^^ 'c ^ ^ * +t, r .. • , ^ 1 ram to Sconset, thence on toot via the year. Polpis to Wauwinet, boat home. (Make Tucfcernock. Many sailing parties visit sure of boat's saihng time.) this little island in the course Coatue, Coskata, and Great Point should of the summer. be visited. HOTELS, ROOMS, ETC. Nantucket has a number of first-class hotels (see maps of town and 'Sconset) and boarding-houses. Many private houses have rooms for rent during the summer months. BUSINESS FACILITIES. Telegraph office, at the Weather Bureau, Orange street; Post-office; Pacific National Bank ; Inquirer and Mirror, the only newspaper printed on the island, issued every Fri- day evening. HISTORY. Nantucket was discovered by Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, and was deeded in 1641 by the Earl of Stirling to Thomas Mayhew and his son, who in 1659, for thirty pounds and two beaver hats, sold nine-tenths of their interest to Tristram Coffin, Thomas Macy, Christopher Hussey, Richard Swayne, Thomas Barnard, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenlief , John Swayne, and William Pike, of Salisbury, Massachusetts. Thomas Macy, Isaac Coleman, Edward Starbuck, Tristram Coffin and his son James spent the winter of 1659 on the island, building their house, it is supposed, at Maddequet. On the island at that time there were 3,000 Indians, 1,500 of whom were carried off by an epidemic in i763-'64. The last Indian died in 1S22. The first actual settlement was in 1661, and extended from Capaum Pond southward, being called Sherburne. In 1673 the town was moved to the present locality, known to the Indians as " Wesco." The name of the town was Sherburne until 1795, when it was changed to Nantucket. j,-l^^ BOOKS RELATING TO NANTUCKET. Author Miriam Coffin James C. Hart. An Island Plant Mary Catherine Lee. vSea-girt Nantucket ............ Henry S. Wyer. There She Blows William Hussey Macy. 'Sconset Cottage Life .......... A. Judd NorthrujD. History of Nantucket ............ Obed Macy. History of the Whale Fishery ......... Alexander Starbuck. Quaint Nantucket ........... William Root Bliss. Poems of Nantucket (selected) ......... Henry S. Wyer. SUGGESTIONS FOR CORRECTIONS IN THE MAPS OR THE LETTER-PRESS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO I932 FIRST STREET N. VV., W.iSHINGTON, D. C. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 608 710 A