Sandwich

Sandwich, or its Indian name Shawme. is the oldest of the Cape towns. Settled in 1637, it was incorporated in 1639. An interesting note, the town motto is “Post Tot Naufragia Portus” which, in Latin means: ‘after so many shipwrecks a haven’). The Puritans were the first to settle there. When a group of Quakers tried to move into their settlement, they were not well received so they soon moved on.

Agriculture and trading were the early means of support. Fishing was not lucrative as the harbors were all too shallow to accommodate the ships. Some attempt in later years was made at establishing industry but only the Sandwich Glass Company, though it provided work for many for a lot of years, was of any consequence. However, as in most of the Cape towns, Sandwich grew because people loved the area and, with improved roads and the bridges over the canal, it was to become what it is today: A small, beautiful town whose main industry is it’s visitors.

Villages that make up the population of Sandwich are East Sandwich, Forestdale and Sandwich itself.

Sandwich is rich in museums, history, shopping, antiques and countless activities to do out-of-doors. The town is a favorite for artists and their galleries. The Sandwich Glass Museum displays many of the old cranberry glass made so famous when the factory was functioning. A walking tour is offered which gives you so much information as to the town of Sandwich. The Hoxie House is the oldest house on Cape Cod, the Heritage Museum and Gardens, with beautiful gardens and antique car museum, is a delightful way to spend a day. The Dan’l Webster Inn, the Dexter Grist Mill, the Thornton Burgess Museum and the Sandwich town boardwalk are just a few more interesting places to visit.

But if it’s the outdoors you crave, there are walking and biking trails, bird sanctuaries, saltwater estuaries, fresh water ponds, many, many shops and lots of seashore. You can go on a whale watch, play golf, fish for stripers in Cape Cod Bay or just hang out at the beach.