Chatham
Points of Interest
Chatham Light and Breakthrough,
Chatham Fish Pier & Fisherman's Monument, Morris Island, Ocean & Sound
Beaches, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Atwood House, Godfrey Windmill, the
Loop bike path in town.
About Chatham
Known as "the first
stop of the East Wind," Chatham's past and present is intertwined with the sea.
Chatham is a base of the US Weather Service, and Chatham Lighthouse, which
houses the US Coast Guard. Bordering both the Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic,
Chatham has first class, comparatively uncrowded beaches, especially the Outer
Beach, accessible only by boat or oversand vehicle. Seafaring sights include
the Fish Pier, Stage Harbor, and the romantic Chatham fog, which rolls in
nightly in the summer. Main Street offers upscale shopping and dining. Chatham
also has numerous small festivals and fairs, making it a classic and fun
destination for those seeking a memorable Cape Cod visit.
History
Chatham (pop. 6,554) was
settled in 1656 when William Nickerson from Yarmouth "purchased" a large parcel
of land from the Sachem Mattaquason for the price of a boat. However it
wouldn't be until 1712, after years of legal maneuvering, that the land was
incorporated as a town separate from Eastham.
A stunning sunset view from the Chatham Fish Pier in Chatham, MA
Special Events
Chatham hosts an
annual "Spring Fling" in May.
Beaches
- Ridgevale: off Route 28, Ridgevale Drive
- Cockle Cove: off Route 28 on Cockle Cove Road
- Oyster Pond: Stage Harbor Road from town center
- Forest Beach Road, Pleasant Street
- Hardings Beach, Schoolhouse Pond
- Pleasant Bay (Jacknife)
- South Beach, and the Lighthouse.
Places of Worship
- First Light Church of Cape Cod, 195 Meetinghouse Road: 508-432-8022
- First Congregational, 650 Main Street at Rotary: 508-945-0800
- First United Methodist, 16 Cross Street: 508-945-0474
- Holy Redeemer (Catholic), Highland Avenue: 508-945-0677
- Our Lady of Grace (Catholic) Routes 28 & 137: 508-432-2279
- St. Christopher's (Episcopal), 625 Main Street: 508-945-2832
- South Chatham Community, 2555 Main Street: 508-432-4248
Museums
- Mayo House, Main Street Museum of Natural History, Route 6A: 508-896-3867
- Old Atwood House, 347 Stage Harbor Road: 508-945-2493
- Railroad Museum, 153 Depot Street
Libraries
- Eldredge Public Library: 508-945-5170
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