The Town of Orleans, incorporated in 1797, is a resort community on the outer Cape whose European history begins in 1642 with the first permanent settlement established by Nicholas Snow and his family. Settlers had purchased rights to the town from Mattaguason,sachem of the Manamoyick Indians. The Colonial economy was built on agriculture, especially corn, rye and wheat, plus the growing of hay and vegetables. In the 18th century, commercial fishing and shellfishing supplemented local incomes and residents worked on herring boats and went after whales. By the 19th century, coastal packets from Boston were being serviced and several windmills created power resources in the town, but residents heaviest reliance was on cod and mackerel fishing. Lifelong residents recall that in those days, the very old and the very young farmed, while all the able-bodied men fished. Fishing in Orleans declined as competition from larger boats and larger ports grew, but the town had established a commercial importance on the Cape as a market center for other communities, that continues into the 20th century. Small businesses, like the Mayo Duck Farm that produced 50,000 ducklings in 1918 were welcomed by the town, but the major modern change in Orleans was spurred by the impact of summer development. This resort home development, which accelerated between 1915 and 1940 and still continues, has had the greatest effect on the town and in turn has supported increasing commercial development along Route 6.
Town Location
Southeastern Massachusetts, at the elbow of Cape Cod. Bordered by Eastham on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Chatham and Harwich on the south, and Brewster and Cape Cod Bay on the west. Orleans is about 22 miles from Hyannis; 88 miles southeast of Boston; 93 miles east of Providence, Rhode Island; and 270 miles from New York City. Town offices are located at 19 School Road, Orleans, MA 02653. The main number is 508-240-3700.
| Name | Address | Telephone | Town/Village | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Little Inn on Pleasant Bay | 654 S. Orleans Road | (508) 255-0780 | Orleans | |
| Cape Cod Management | 12 West Road | 508-255-3334 | Orleans | Cape Cod Management is one of the region’s premier full service commercial and residential real estate property management and brokerage companies, with approximately $80 million in assets under management. |
| Cape Cod Rentals | 8 Nells Way | 508-240-6535 | Orleans | Our privately-owned vacation homes & beach cottages, many close to beaches or ponds, are available at extremely affordable rates. We also feature a wide choice of townhouses & cottages located at the beautiful Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster. |
| Cove Motel at Orleans | 13 Route 28 | 508-255-1203 | Orleans | Waterfront motel on the town cove in Orleans |
| Governor Prence Inn | 66 Route 6A | 508-255-1216 | Orleans | Five buildings on five acres in the middle of Orleans. |
| Holly Tree Cottages | (508) 255-8537 | Orleans | ||
| Jan Allen Meliken Realtor | 11 Maple Road | 508-255-8431 | Orleans | |
| Kadee's Gray Elephant | 212 Main St. | 508-255-7608 | Orleans | |
| Morgans Way Bed and Breakfast | 9 Morgan's Way | 508-255-0831 | Orleans | Trip Advisor 5 Stars Estate setting with 2 Bed and Breakfast rooms in the main house, beautiful cottage along with a house that sleeps 8 people comfortably Situated on 5 acres of land. Full sized swimming pool, Peaceful Flower Garden. Located Ideally off of South Orleans/RT-28 |
| Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge | 237 Beach Road | (508) 255-2364 | Orleans |
