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Tisbury
(Vineyard Haven)
www.ci.tisbury.ma.us
The Town of Tisbury
is a resort community on the north shore of
Martha’s Vineyard. In 1663, Indians sold
West Chop to whites. The first permanent European
settlement was established in 1674, although
European explorers, traders and fishermen had
roamed the area from early in the 16th century.
Gosnold, among other explorers, recorded his
impressions during a voyage in 1602. The area
abounded in shellfish, striped bass, bluefish,
and swordfish and drew Indians as well as Europeans
for offshore fishing and the massive herring
runs. Early settlers relied on agriculture,
grazing, and raising hay for cattle, but the
town grew very slowly.
In 1700, there were only three families in Tisbury
with a total of 27 people; in 1775, there were
only 45 families with 225 people. In 1787, there
were 21 licensed inn holders, again clearly
servicing a transient population much larger
than the permanent one and certainly foreshadowing
the town’s modern character. Residents
managed the port, fishing boats, and salt works.
In 1836, the town built deep-water wharves and
two marine railways to facilitate boat handling.
The first submarine telegraph line was laid
across Vineyard Sound to West Chop in 1856,
significantly improving communications for townspeople.
Residents fished for whales and operated 125
farms at the end of the 19th century, but by
the turn of the century, Tisbury had shifted
from a maritime to a land economy, with residents
operating a steam corn factory, embossing leather,
building harnesses, and raising poultry and
fruit.
By the 1950s, the town had established its modern
character, which relies heavily on the servicing
of a growing and affluent summer community that
continues to build large summer homes on the
island. Fishing and farming are still carried
on to a lesser degree.
The preceding
narrative was provided by the Mass Department
of Housing and Community Development.
For more information, visit the Department of
Housing and Community Development site for Tisbury,
MA www.state.ma.us/dhcd/iprofile/296.pdf
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