OAK BLUFFS HISTORY
Even at
the turn of the century, Oak Bluffs was the summer destination place for
thousands of vacationers. Originally known as Cottage City, this charming
Victorian seaside community bustled with activity then as it does now.
The Methodist Campground area,
which was established as a religious summer retreat in 1835, provided a unique
experience and a focal point for visiting worshipers. Canvas tents, adorned with
decorative flaps, housed families and friends wishing to partake in the festive
summer events. Today, hundreds of imaginative and colorful gingerbread cottages
festooned with flowery window boxes and enhanced by elegant porches, have
replaced the temporary tents. The impressive and regal Tabernacle, where many
Methodist gatherings have taken place over the years, continues to function as a
meeting place. Sing-a-Longs, band concerts and religious services, along with
many other major events, are centered there each summer.
During the summer, the busy harbor of Oak Bluffs welcomes visitors several times
daily via five different ferry lines, carrying passengers and cars from Woods
Hole and passengers only from Falmouth and Hyannis. A ferry to Nantucket departs
from Oak Bluffs each morning, providing a connective link between the islands.
Accommodations are available in port for cruise ships, private yachts, charter
boats and several commercial fishing boats, making Oak Bluffs a colorful and
active waterfront locale.
The “centerpiece” of Oak Bluffs is Ocean Park, where visitors are invited to
step back in time to an era filled with band concerts, fireworks, kite flying,
picnicking and leisurely strolls. Just at the park’s edge, the sparkling blue
waters and sandy shores of the Oak Bluffs public beach stretches for miles
inviting bathers, sailors, walkers and waders to refresh their spirits and renew
their joy for living.
An active downtown is complete with exciting restaurants, charming shops, two
vintage movie theatres, places to enjoy live entertainment and dancing, art
galleries and the oldest working carousel in America, “The Flying Horses.”
Oak Bluffs has something special for every vacation plan; from a fun-filled day trip or weekend getaway to a week or a season in the sun, this unusual and charming Victorian seaside resort can accommodate everyone. Rentals are reasonably priced and designed to provide families, couples or the lone adventurer with a vacation that they will long remember and easily afford.