Harwich Information
The Town of Harwich is a resort and residential community located on the south side of the Cape peninsula, with an extensive shoreline on Nantucket Sound. It was settled around 1665, and incorporated in 1694. Its early economy included agriculture and maritime industries and its history has included boom and bust cycles from the earliest days of the community. When the whaling industry collapsed with the discovery of oil, the community’s emphasis shifted to cod fishing. By 1802, 15 to 20 ships were shore fishing and another four ships were cod fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador,
Town Location
Southeastern Massachusetts, on the southeast portion of Cape Cod. Bordered by Dennis on the west, Brewster and Orleans on the north, Chatham on the east, and Nantucket Sound on the south. Harwich is about 12 miles from Hyannis, 70 miles east of Fall River, 82 miles southeast of Boston, and 260 miles from New York City. Town offices are located at 732 Main street, Harwich, MA 02645. The Main number is 508-430-7513.
The Wixon Pier and structure have a long history for commercial fishing in Harwich. A commemorative bronze plaque was placed by the Town at Captain Wixon Landing.and by 1851, there were 48 ships employing 577 men and bringing in thousands of tons of cod and mackerel. The eventual decline of the fishing industry in Harwich by the latter part of the 19th century was caused by increases in the size of ships which eventually outstripped the shallow port’s ability to house them. Residents turned to the development of cranberry bogs and resorts for summer visitors, working side-by-side with Portuguese immigrants. The first resort hotel opened in 1880 and both the cranberry and the tourist industries remain substantial parts of Harwich’s economy in the present. In 1775, when Separatists and Baptists outnumbered Orthodox Congregationalists, Harwich burghers felt independent enough to refuse to support a minister with public tax monies and they continued refusing to do so for 18 years. The town showed religious diversity from the first, including residents who are Baptists, Methodists, Reformed Methodists (anti-Episcopal), Wesleyans and Catholics, among others. Commercial, motel and condominium development has been intense along the Route 28 corridor and suburban development has significantly decreased the remaining agricultural landscape, but the town retains much of its 19th century character, including period Portuguese farmhouses.
The Wixon Pier and structure have a long history for commercial fishing in Harwich. A commemorative bronze plaque was placed by the Town at Captain Wixon Landing.and by 1851, there were 48 ships employing 577 men and bringing in thousands of tons of cod and mackerel. The eventual decline of the fishing industry in Harwich by the latter part of the 19th century was caused by increases in the size of ships which eventually outstripped the shallow port’s ability to house them. Residents turned to the development of cranberry bogs and resorts for summer visitors, working side-by-side with Portuguese immigrants. The first resort hotel opened in 1880 and both the cranberry and the tourist industries remain substantial parts of Harwich’s economy in the present. In 1775, when Separatists and Baptists outnumbered Orthodox Congregationalists, Harwich burghers felt independent enough to refuse to support a minister with public tax monies and they continued refusing to do so for 18 years. The town showed religious diversity from the first, including residents who are Baptists, Methodists, Reformed Methodists (anti-Episcopal), Wesleyans and Catholics, among others. Commercial, motel and condominium development has been intense along the Route 28 corridor and suburban development has significantly decreased the remaining agricultural landscape, but the town retains much of its 19th century character, including period Portuguese farmhouses.
| Name | Address | Google Map Directions | Town/Village | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham Classic Yacht Charters | Box 673 | Harwichport | We sail out of Stage Harbor. Our clients embark and disembark at the Fish Pier located at the end of Stage Harbor Road in Chatham, unless there is off- loading going on, in which case we take everyone to the mooring by launch. | |
| Cranberry Valley Golf Course | 183 Oak St | Harwich | Bent grass course with water hazards on three holes of the back nine. The fairways are tree-lined and there are several greenside sand bunkers. 18-Hole, Par 72 | |
| East Coast Craft Shows | P.O. Box 33 | Harwich Port | Family owned and operated business with over thirty years of combined craft show experience. We specialize in promoting Cape Cod Craft Shows at varios locations across the Cape. | |
| Fishtale Sportfishing | Saquatucket Harbor | Harwich | No Description Available | |
| Fishtale Sportfishing | 715 Main Street | Harwich | Fish the tide rips off Monomoy & Nantucket for Stripers and Blues aboard the fully equipped 33' Fishtale | |
| Freedom Cruise Line, Inc. | 702 Main Street | Harwich | ||
| Golden Eagle Deep Sea Fishing | Wychmere Harbor | Harwich | No Description Available | |
| Grand Slam Entertainment | 322 Main Street Route 28 | Harwichport | baseball batting cages & bumper boats | |
| Harwich Conservation Trust | P.O. Box 101 | South Harwich | ||
| Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival | PO Box 555 | Harwich Port |
