History of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
is small Victorian city and summer colony
in northeastern Martha's Vineyard
, which is located off the coast of Cape Cod
.
years before the English even arrived.
The first time Oak Bluffs was not established until August 1835 by a group of Methodists that came to build their own community. The Methodists pitched wood framed tents and built cottages in what is now Gingerbread Square, Ocean Park, and Trinity Park. The most famous cottage was that of Bishop Gilbert Haven
as visited by President Grant
in 1874. Soon Christians from all over America came to Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs became a summer colony
.
The Methodist Church and Tabernacle
was built in the center of what is now Gingerbread Square. Today the "Martha's Vineyard Campmeeting Association" cottage is the head of the Martha's Vineyard Methodist Community. It still holds the name of the Campground headquarters.
Gingerbread Square is a large square of Victorian Gingerbread homes from the 19th century campsite and summer colony. They revolve around the Tabernacle and the Church at the heart of the square. Trim, spires, domes, unique color schemes, and more make Gingerbread Square an architectural haven.
As the Methodist Campsite, businesses grew and a thousand tents and cottages sprung up as visitors poured in from all over. A popular pastime was to relax and rock the day away in rocking chairs on the porches. In 1880 Oak Bluffs was incorporated as Cottage City. In 1907 it was re-incorporated as Oak Bluffs.
The Cottage Museum in Trinity Park exhibits the History of Oak Bluffs and common objects from cottages like rocking chairs and carpets.
The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest running carousel in America. It is across the street from the Steamship Authority. It first operated on Coney Island
in 1876 but in 1884 it was moved to a former barn in Oak Bluffs. It is complete with an arcade and a mini store. A single ticket costs $1.50 and $10 for eight tickets
by Charles Strahan, Co B 21 Virginia
Reg." It was originally painted in a color scheme which resembled that of the cottages. But in 1980 the Oak Bluffs City Council
had it repainted in the confederate color in honor of Charles Strahan, who moved to the island after the American Civil War
.
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,713 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 3,735 as of 2008...
is small Victorian city and summer colony
Summer colony
The term summer colony is often used, particularly in the United States and Canada, to describe well-known resorts and upper-class enclaves, typically located near the ocean or mountains of New England or the Great Lakes...
in northeastern Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
, which is located off the coast of Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
.
History
The first English that came to Oak Bluffs came in 1642. Oak Bluffs was settled by the Native AmericansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
years before the English even arrived.
The first time Oak Bluffs was not established until August 1835 by a group of Methodists that came to build their own community. The Methodists pitched wood framed tents and built cottages in what is now Gingerbread Square, Ocean Park, and Trinity Park. The most famous cottage was that of Bishop Gilbert Haven
Gilbert Haven
Gilbert Haven was a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1872. He was consecrated a bishop on May 24, 1872 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York...
as visited by President Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
in 1874. Soon Christians from all over America came to Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs became a summer colony
Summer colony
The term summer colony is often used, particularly in the United States and Canada, to describe well-known resorts and upper-class enclaves, typically located near the ocean or mountains of New England or the Great Lakes...
.
The Methodist Church and Tabernacle
Tabernacle (disambiguation)
The Tabernacle most commonly refers to the Jewish Tabernacle , which was a movable tent and worship facility used by the Israelites for the worship of Yahweh as recorded in the Book of Exodus...
was built in the center of what is now Gingerbread Square. Today the "Martha's Vineyard Campmeeting Association" cottage is the head of the Martha's Vineyard Methodist Community. It still holds the name of the Campground headquarters.
Gingerbread Square is a large square of Victorian Gingerbread homes from the 19th century campsite and summer colony. They revolve around the Tabernacle and the Church at the heart of the square. Trim, spires, domes, unique color schemes, and more make Gingerbread Square an architectural haven.
As the Methodist Campsite, businesses grew and a thousand tents and cottages sprung up as visitors poured in from all over. A popular pastime was to relax and rock the day away in rocking chairs on the porches. In 1880 Oak Bluffs was incorporated as Cottage City. In 1907 it was re-incorporated as Oak Bluffs.
The Cottage Museum in Trinity Park exhibits the History of Oak Bluffs and common objects from cottages like rocking chairs and carpets.
The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest running carousel in America. It is across the street from the Steamship Authority. It first operated on Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
in 1876 but in 1884 it was moved to a former barn in Oak Bluffs. It is complete with an arcade and a mini store. A single ticket costs $1.50 and $10 for eight tickets
The Civil War Memorial
A memorial stands near the bus stop. A Civil War soldier is standing atop a pedestal that reads "Erected in honor of the Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
by Charles Strahan, Co B 21 Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Reg." It was originally painted in a color scheme which resembled that of the cottages. But in 1980 the Oak Bluffs City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
had it repainted in the confederate color in honor of Charles Strahan, who moved to the island after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.