History of Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA

1700 - Provincetown is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1727 - Provincetown is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Provincetown
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Barnstable county. A noted fishing town on the extreme point of Cape Cod; including Race point, which lies 3 miles N.W. from Provincetown village. It comprises Cape Cod, or Provincetown harbor, which opens on the S. This ocean harbor is very large, exceedingly easy of access, and has sufficient depth of water for the largest ships of war. This is the first harbor the "Mayflower" touched at on her passage to Plymouth in 1620.

An elaborate and highly interesting report of a survey of this harbor and the extremity of Cape Cod, by Major J.D. Graham, has recently been printed by order of congress.

The report is accompanied by a series of tables, showing the result of a long course of observations on the tide, which are not only curious, but may be useful to those who are in a situation for pursuing their speculations on this subject, by comparing them with the results of similar observtions in other places. The fullness and precision of these tables... Read MORE...

1845 - PROVINCETOWN. [Pop. 2,122. Inc. 1727.]
Provincetown was originally a part of Truro. It lies at the very extremity of the peninsula, forming a sort of claw, to an arm, which the county is said to resemble in form.

The town is composed of sand-hills, but the harbor is large, deep, safe, and of so great importance to mariners, that the Government of the United States has expended large sums in its improvement.

The May Flower, that brought the first freight of pilgrims to New England, put in here before proceeding to Plymouth ; and here the pilgrims signed a form of government, and chose a governor.

Some years after its settlement the town was almost abandoned by its inhabitants, but, after the Revolutionary War, it revived.

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

Distance, in a straight line from Barnstable, 30 miles; from Boston, by water, 50, and by land, 116
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1853 - Loss of Schooner Pledge.
Captain Chapman, his brother, and two men, belonging to the fishing schooner Pledge, of Provincetown, which was run down and sunk on Grand Banks, by Hamburg ship Donau, arrived in this city on Friday, in the steamer Eastern City. They were the only survivors of the crew - the remainder, five in number, were lost with the vessel. The names of the drowned were, PATRICK MURPHY, aged 40; CORNELIUS MAHONEY, 49; BARTLET O'BIREN, 23; NEIL McKENNON, 23, and JOSEPH SILVA, 18 - none of whom were Americans. They were in the cabin when the vessel went down. The Hamburg ship took off the survivors, who, after being transferred several times to different inward bound vessels, finally reached Townsend, Me., where they secured passage in the steamer Eastern City. The Pledge was insured at the Union Office, Provincetown, for $1700.
Journal.
Barre Gazette
Barre, Massachusetts
November 4, 1853

1854 - Provincetown
Provincetown, a post-township in Barn stable co., Massachusetts. This is a noted fishing place, on the extreme point of Cape Cod, 50 miles E. S. E. from Boston. Population, 3157.

Provincetown, a post-village in the above township, contains 3 or 4 churches. Inhabited chiefly by fishermen.
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.

Provincetown Massachusetts, 1890
Provincetown is one of the most unique towns of the Commonwealth. It occupies the extreme northern point of Barnstable County and Cape Cod; and is, with exception of a narrow neck connecting it with Truro at the east, entirely enclosed by water. From midway of the western end a still narrower peninsula (or island, for the sea has made a breach through it near its beginning) runs along by and far past the mainland towards the southeast, then turning to the northeast, forms an elbow, terminating at Long Point, which is marked by a lighthouse; thus forming Provincetown harbor. It is nearly land-locked and secure, and sufficiently capacious and deep to furnish anchorage for about 2,500 vessels. It is of great importance to navigation, whether coasting or foreign, affording a convenient haven in thick and stormy weather, or in distress in consequence. An official record of the keeper of the outer light at Wood End during 1876-8 shows that in those three years 23,000 vessels passed in out... Read MORE...

1890 - Money meltdown
Antone Fratus of Provincetown selected his pillow as a safe place for keeping money and there deposited $300 in an envelope. His two-year-old child found the envelope and shoved it through an open grate into the fire. There was $290 in bills, which were destroyed and a $10 gold piece was found in the ashes.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 6, 1890

1895 - Provincetown
Prov'incetown, a post-village in Provincetown township, Barnstable co., Mass., at the northern extremity of the long peninsula called Cape Cod. It is 55 miles by water and 118 miles by rail E.S.E. of Boston. It has a good harbor, and contains a national bank, a public library, a newspaper office, 2 hotels, a high school, and several churches. It is mainly supported by cod- and mackerel fisheries. Pop. of the township, 4357.
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

1906
Provincetown, a banking post-village and summer-resort of Provincetown township (town), Barnstable co., Mass., at the northern extremity of Cape Cod peninsula. It is 55 miles by water ESE. of Boston and is on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R. It has a good harbor and is extensively engaged in cod, mackerel, and sperm-whale fisheries. The "Mayflower" anchored here in 1620. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4247.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1927 - December 17 – The U.S. submarine S-4 is accidentally rammed and sunk by the United States Coast Guard cutter John Paulding off Provincetown, Massachusetts, killing everyone aboard despite several unsuccessful attempts to raise the submarine.

wikipedia.org
December 17, 1927

1944 - HURRICANE HITS NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND COASTS. HIGH WINDS LASH JERSEY, LONG ISLAND.
...The main street of Provincetown, Mass., on the tip of Cape Cod, was under water and civilian defense forces evacuated 23 persons from the Cape Cod town of Yarmouth...
The Troy Record
Troy, New York
September 15, 1944

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Provincetown:
Commercial Street: The heart of P-town, Commercial Street is a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Take a leisurely stroll, do some shopping, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum: Climb to the top of the Pilgrim Monument for panoramic views of the town and Cape Cod Bay. The accompanying museum provides insight into Provincetown's history, from its Native American roots to its role in the Mayflower Pilgrims' arrival.

Race Point Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Race Point Beach offers expansive dunes and a wide sandy shoreline. It's perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing, and taking a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Herring Cove Beach: Another fantastic beach option, Herring Cove is known for its stunning sunsets. It's a great place for a swim, a picnic, or simply to relax and enjoy the natural beauty.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM): Immerse yourself in the... Read MORE...