|
MENU
> Intro
>
Before the Fire > The
Fire >
19th Century Media> Documenting
the Fire >
Shock
and Recovery >Legacy
>Photo
Gallery
 Prior
to the summer of 1883, Vineyard Haven (formerly
known as Holmes Hole) was seen as the commercial
hub of the Island. The town's economic health
was dependent on trade, shipbuilding, and the
provisioning of ships that enjoyed the protected
waters of Vineyard Haven Harbor. The majority
of houses in the village had been built for or
owned by ship captains. About 1200 people resided
in the town year-round, with a considerable increase
during the summer months.
Despite the commercial activity of the maritime
industry and the strong summer tourist trade,
the town was known as a quiet enclave of shops,
hotels, and stately homes. A 19th century visitor
described it as: "a favorable resort for
those who have in years past chosen the more exciting
scenes of Newport… but now find a quiet and
cheerful 'home' at the Mansion House… There
is not a drinking saloon in town... and there
has not a lawyer resided here for twelve years,
the last one had to leave town or starve, for
want of employment."
Vineyard Haven was an alternative to the newly
established Cottage City (now Oak Bluffs) in the
late nineteenth century. It was still an ideal
vacation getaway for those from larger cities
on the mainland. The heart of the village was
its Main Street, where many businesses thrived
due to the wharf's proximity. Although the town
was prosperous, there were limitations to its
fire protection plans: leather buckets were the
only available fire fighting equipment.
|
