Falmouth

Falmouth, or its Indian name Succonesset, was one of the first settlements on the Cape. That was in 1660 and was incorporated in 1686. It was named by Bartholomew Gosnold for his home town in England. Early settlers were farmers, whalers, shippers and sheepherders. The wool from the sheep was briefly processed on the Cape but the industry failed due to lack of water power to run the mills. In the 1800s, cranberries and strawberries were grown in such quantity that they began supplying the Boston market.

When the railroad came to Falmouth in 1872, summer homes began to appear. When the highways were improved and when Camp Edwards was in use during WWII, Falmouth saw a big growth in population.

Villages that make up the population of Falmouth are East Falmouth, Falmouth Village, North Falmouth, Teaticket, West Falmouth, Woods Hold, Hatchville and Waquoit.

Falmouth is one of the oldest towns on the Cape. It is a lovely town with all the amenities a visitor could want. There are also some special things to do and see there. Falmouth is the busy terminal for the Steamship Authority ferries to Martha’s Vineyard. Woods Hole is famous the world over for their scientific centers. Visitors, scientists and students come from many countries to study and work there. It is home to one of the more famous Cape lighthouses, Nobska Light House. It was also home to Katherine Lee Bates, the songwriter of America the Beautiful.

Falmouth supports the Falmouth Commodores, one of the teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Their season is from mid-June to early August and their home field is Arnie Allen Diamond at Gov Fuller Field. Falmouth also hosts the Falmouth Road Race from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights. It’s a 7 mile race and has attracted thousands of runners since the first race in 1973. There’s fun for everyone at the Barnstable County Fair every summer and there are eleven beautiful harbors just to make it all complete.