History of Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA

1660 - Falmouth is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1686 - Falmouth is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Falmouth
Falmouth, Massachusetts
Barnstable county. A pleasant town on Vineyard Sound. There are belonging to this town 9 whale-ships, and about 40 sail in the coasting trade and fishery. Two streams afford a water power, on which are two woolen mills and other manufactories. There are about 40 ponds in this town, some salt and some fresh:—these, with the views of the islands in the Sound, form a variety of agreeable scenery. "Wood's Hole" harbor, at the S.W. extremity of the town, is a good harbor and much frequented by vessels, and by invalids in search of health. The value of oil imported into Falmouth, the year ending April 1, 1837, amounted to $146,600. The value of vessels, salt, woolen goods, boots, shoes and leather, manufactured the same year, was $58,657. Falmouth lies 71 miles S.E. by E. from Boston and 22 S.W. from Barnstable. "Woods' Hole" is 4 miles W. from the centre of the town; and "Holmes' Hole" harbor, on Martha's Vineyard, is 6 miles S. Population, 1837, 2,580.... Read MORE...

1845 - FALMOUTH. [Pop. 2,589. Inc. 1686.]
Falmouth is the southwest point of the peninsula, of which the Elizabeth Islands, now part of Dukes County, seem to have been a continuation.
The town contains a great number of ponds, and at the southwest point, on a small peninsula, is a good harbor, called Wood's Hole.

The inhabitants are somewhat extensively engaged in the whale and other fisheries, and in the manufacture of salt.

Distance from Barnstable, 22 miles; from Boston, by land, 71.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Falmouth
Falmouth, a post-township of Barnstable oounty, Massachusetts, on the N. side of Vineyard sound, 70 miles S. S. E. from Bos ton. It contains 1 bank. Pop., 2621.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
FALMOUTH, a seaport of Massachusetts, U.S., situated in Barnstable co., between Buzzard's bay and Vineyard sound, 75 m. S by E of Boston. Pop. 2,070.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Falmouth Massachusetts, 1890
Falmouth is a delightful seaboard town occupying the southwest corner of Cape Cod and of Barnstable County. Along its entire western side extends the Woods Holl Branch of the Old Colony Railroad, terminating 72 miles south of Boston. Its boundaries are Bourne and Sandwich on the north, Mashpee on the east, Vineyard Sound (here six miles wide) on the south, and Buzzard's Bay on the west. Its assessed area is 21,903 acres, including 6,202 acres of woodland. The territory extends as a peninsula at the southwest; and on a harbor at the extremity of this is Woods Holl, noted as the eastern of the two railroad connections for the Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket steamers, and as the location of the government works for fish-breeding, and as a principal government station for marine surveys and investigations. At the south-most point of this peninsula is Nobska Point and Hill, bearing its well-known light. Eastward is a fine beach, extending in a concave line to the first of three nearly... Read MORE...

1895 - Falmouth
Falmouth, a post-township of Barnstable co., Mass., is bounded on the S. by Vineyard Sound, and on the W. by Buzzard's Bay. It contains villages named Falmouth, East Falmouth, North Falmouth, West Falmouth, and Wood's Holl, and a summer resort called Falmouth Heights. It has 9 churches. The village of Falmouth is on a branch of the Old Colony Railroad, and on the sea-coast, about 22 miles E.S.E. of New Bedford. It has a national bank, a newspaper office, an academy, and several churches. Pop. in 1880,512; in 1890, about 600; of the township in 1880, 2422; in 1890, 2567.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1909 - HOTEL'S MYSTERIOUS FIRE.
Massachusetts Resort Was to Have Been Auctioned to Satisfy Claims.

FALMOUTH, Mass., Aug. 7. - The Maravista Hotel, in course of construction at Falmouth Heights, was burned to the ground early to-day under mysterious circumstances.

The building was to have been sold at auction to-day to satisfy the claims of Timothy Bourne, the contractor. It was valued at $15,000, and was insured. The structure was owned by the Falmouth Land Company.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 8, 1909

1916
Falmouth, a post-township (town) of Barnstable co., Mass., is bounded on the S. by Vineyard Sound and on the W. by Buzzard's Bay. The village of Falmouth, a popular summer-resort, is on a branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford R. and on the sea-coast, about 22 miles ESE. of New Bedford. It has a bank, academy, etc. Pop. about 1200 ; of the town in 1900, 3500. At Woods Hole are located a government fish-commission station and a biological laboratory and school.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1938 - The Great New England Hurricane of 1938
CAT 3 - September 21, 1938
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike Southern New England. This system developed in the far eastern Atlantic, near the Cape Verde Islands on September 4. It made a twelve day journey across the Atlantic and up the Eastern Seaboard before crashing ashore on September 21 at Suffolk County, Long Island, then into Milford, Connecticut. The eye of the hurricane was observed in New Haven, Connecticut, 10 miles east of Milford. The center made landfall at the time of astronomical high tide, moving north at 60 mph. Unlike most storms, this hurricane did not weaken on its way toward Southern New England, due to its rapid forward speed and its track. This kept the center of the storm over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

...Downtown Providence, Rhode Island was submerged under a storm tide of nearly 20 feet. Sections of Falmouth and New Bedford, Massachusetts were submerged under as much as 8 ... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Falmouth:
Falmouth Beaches:

Falmouth is known for its stunning beaches. Some of the popular ones include Old Silver Beach, Surf Drive Beach, and Menauhant Beach. Relax, swim, sunbathe, or take a leisurely beach walk.

Shining Sea Bikeway:

Rent a bike and explore the Shining Sea Bikeway, a scenic 10.7-mile paved path that winds through salt marshes, woodlands, and along the coastline. It's one of the most beautiful bike rides on Cape Cod.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:

If you're interested in marine science, visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. They have a small exhibit center where you can learn about oceanography and marine research.

Nobska Lighthouse:

Take a trip to Nobska Lighthouse, perched on a bluff overlooking Vineyard Sound. The views are breathtaking, and the lighthouse itself is picturesque.

Falmouth Museums on the Green:

This historical complex includes the 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House and the Hallett Barn Visitor Center. Explore the... Read MORE...