Chatham

Explorer Samuel de Champlain first visited the southeastern tip of Cape Cod (also known as the "elbow") in 1606 and named it "Port Fortune".The Nauset Native Americans, who were living here, had called the area "Manomoit". However, the area that would become known as the "Town of Chatham" was not settled until 1664 and then incorporated in 1712. Like most coastal towns, fishing, whaling, and shipping were its main industries during those early years. In 1808, President Thomas Jefferson had the Chatham Lighthouse established in order to,protect ships circling Cape Cod (it now houses a Coast Guard Lifesaving Station patrolling the Atlantic and Nantucket Sound waters). The very first reforesting project in the U.S. happened here in 1821 on Great Hill, when pine trees and beach grass were planted to prevent erosion of the coast line. By the end of the 1800's, seaside summer resorts had become highly popular and Chatham' s economy expanded greatly under this tourism boom. Many prominent Americans chose to make their summer homes in Chatham; including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, singer/actor Harry Connick Jr., figure skater Todd Eldridge, and actress Shirley Booth. The Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League make their home base here also. Many Major League Baseball players had their start in the Cape Cod League during their college years, and the MLB now provides financial support to keep this collegiate summer baseball program functioning. We found it fascinating driving around town admiring the many "million dollar plus" homes located on this bit of the lower Cape.

The seaside town at the "elbow" of Cape Cod was once home to the Nauset Native Americans who knew the area as "Manomoit."

Picturesque view of Chatham's Main Street.

Its popular summer resort status was partly helped by the large amount of 18th century architecture throughout the town.

The famous Chatham lighthouse was built under the direction of President Thomas Jefferson in 1808...

...and today, part of the building houses the Coast Guard Lifesaving Station which helps to protect the waters of Nanticket Sound and part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Relics of the first commercial railroad in the U.S. are housed here in the 129 year old Chatham Railroad museum. This was the main rail stop in Chatham between 1887 and 1937.

Chatham is popular summer resort location as evidenced by the number of Inns located within the town.

View across the harbor towards the Chatham Fish Pier and the Old Harbor Inn.

Built in 1797 by Bejamin Godfrey, this windmill was used to grind corn. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic places.

The many "million dollar plus" homes around town are absolutely stunning.

But so is this local watering hole that is sooooo familiar to New Englanders (we even found a number of them in Madrid Spain! Go figure!).