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Oak Bluffs, a town rich in history

Oak Bluffs, a town rich in history

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Oak Bluffs history

In 1866 Robert Morris Copeland was hired by a group of New England developers to design a planned residential community in Martha's Vineyard. The site, a large, rolling, treeless pasture overlooking Vineyard Sound, was adjacent to the immensely popular Methodist camp meeting, Wesleyan Grove, a curving network of narrow streets lined with quaint "Carpenter's Gothic" cottages, picket fences, and pocket parks. Seeking to take advantage of the camp’s seasonal popularity (and overflowing population), the developers established Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company, gaining immediate success: Five hundred lots were sold between 1868 and 1871. Copeland would end up creating three plans for the community to accommodate its constant expansion. Oak Bluffs is the one of the earliest planned residential communities and largely informed later suburban development in the United States.

Oak Bluffs today

Enjoy expansive, sandy beaches, walk to Ocean Park (the central park with the famous gazebo) or take the kids to Niantic Park, which sports a newly-rebuilt kids' playground, basketball courts and tennis courts. Oak Bluffs harbor is bustling with restaurants and has a beautiful, newly-rebuilt boardwalk and fishing pier. In addition to shops and restaurants along Circuit Ave. there is the oldest carousel in the country, The Flying Horses. Grab the brass ring!  Other historic attractions include the Cottage Museum and charming Gingerbread Cottages in the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. You can walk to everything downtown! Leave the car at the cottage and save the headache of parking downtown.

Celebrated Annual Summer Events

The 3rd Wednesday in August is Grand Illumination Night. The week culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over Ocean Park. That same week is also the Agricultural Fair. 

Newly rebuilt Oak Bluffs Harbor Boardwalk, completed 2016. 

© 2018 The Flying Seahorse, Summer Vacation Rental, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Proudly created with Wix.com

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