History of Harwich, Massachusetts, USA

1670 - Harwich is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1694 - Harwich is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Harwich
Harwich, Massachusetts
Barnstable county, on the S. side of Cape Cod, 14 miles E. from Barnstable. Incorporated 1694. Population, 1830, 2,464; 1837, 2,771. On Herring river, the outlet of Long pond, are cotton and other mills. Some vessels are built here and some salt manufactured. The product of the cod and mackerel fishery the year ending April 1, 1837, was $33,000. Harwich is a pleasant town: the village makes a good appearance from the sea.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - HARWICH. [Pop. 2,930. Inc. 1694.]
Harwich once included Brewster, which was the oldest settlement of the two.

Long Pond has an outlet, called Herring River, of which some use is made for mills.

The soil is sandy, and the inhabitants are chiefly employed in the fisheries, or business connected with them.

Distance from Barnstable, 13 miles ; from Boston, by water, 75.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Harwich / Harwich Port
Harwich, a post-township of Barnstable county, Massachusetts, 90 miles S. E. from Boston. Population, 3258.

Harwich Port, a post-office of Barnstable county, Massachusetts.
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
HARWICH, a township of Barnstable co., in the state of Massachusetts, U.S., 89 m. SE of Boston, bordered on the S by the Atlantic, and watered by Long Island, and its outlet, Herring river. Pop. in 1840, 2,930.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1869 - House Fire
The dwelling of Nathan Dowry, in Harwich, Mass., was destroyed by fire on the evening of the 3d, and his only children, two little girls, aged six and four years, perished. The parents were visiting a neighbor.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 13, 1869

Harwich Massachusetts, 1890
Harwich, one of the most characteristic and pleasant of the Cape Cod towns, lies on its south side, about midway of Barnstable County, southeast from Boston, and about 85 miles distant by the Old Colony Railroad. This road has three stations in the town, North Harwich at the northwest, Harwich (centre) and Pleasant Lake, on the north side. The other villages are West Harwich, Harwich Port and South Harwich, on the south side, and East Harwich on Pleasant Bay, which has Orleans on its north side and Chatham on its south. The last-mentioned town is the boundary on the east, Brewster lies on the north, Dennis on the west; while the south side, scarcely deviating from the straight line of the 41º 40' parallel of latitude, is washed by the waters of the Atlantic. The assessed area of this town is 8,670 acres; of which 2,414 acres are occupied by a growth of oak and pine trees.

There are several fresh-water ponds, the largest being Long Pond on the Brewster line; and another is Pleasant... Read MORE...

1895 - Harwich / Harwichport / South Harwich
Harwich, a post-village of Barnstable co, Mass. in Harwich township, and on the Old Colony Railroad (Cape Cod division), 84 miles S.E. of Boston. It has 2 churches, a newspaper office, a savings-bank, and a national bank. It is partly supported by the fisheries and the culture of cranberries. The township is bounded on the S. W. by the Atlantic Ocean. It has 6 churches and contains other villages, named Harwichport and South Harwich. Pop. of the township in 1890, 2734.
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

1916
Harwich, a banking post-village of Barnstable co., Mass., in Harwich township (town), and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 12 miles E. of Barnstable. The town is bounded on the S. by the Atlantic Ocean. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2334 ; of the village, about 750.
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

2023 - Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a relaxing getaway, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Harwich. Here's a list of some of the top attractions and activities in the area:
Red River Beach: Start your visit with some beach time at Red River Beach. It's a family-friendly beach with warm waters and soft sands. Perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles.

Bank Street Beach: Another great beach option is Bank Street Beach. It's known for its calm waters and is an excellent spot for kayaking and paddleboarding. There's also a playground nearby for kids.

Cape Cod Lavender Farm: Take a scenic stroll through the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, where you can enjoy the fragrant fields of lavender and even pick some to take home. They also sell lavender products, which make for lovely souvenirs.

Brooks Academy Museum: Delve into Harwich's history at the Brooks Academy Museum. It's a small but informative museum that showcases artifacts and exhibits related to the town's past, including its maritime heritage.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge: Nature enthusiasts will love exploring the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. It's a haven for... Read MORE...