Harwich, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Harwich is a New England town
on Cape Cod
, in Barnstable County
in the state of Massachusetts
in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod
. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore
. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape Cod; the shores that face Nantucket Sound
. Harwich has three active harbors. Saquatucket, Wychmere and Allen Harbors are all in Harwich Port
. The town of Harwich includes the villages of Pleasant Lake
, West Harwich
, East Harwich
, Harwich Port
, Harwich Center
, North Harwich
and South Harwich
.
. The town was officially incorporated in 1694, and originally included the lands of the current town of Brewster
. Early industry involved fishing and farming. The town is considered by some to be the birthplace of the cranberry industry, with the first commercial operation opened in 1846. There are still many bogs in the town, although the economy is now more centered on tourism and as a residential community. The town is also the site of the start/finish line of the "Sail Around the Cape," which rounds the Cape counter-clockwise, returning via the Cape Cod Canal
.
, the town has a total area of 33.2 square miles (86 km²), of which, 21 square miles (54.4 km²) of it is land and 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²) of it (36.53%) is water. The seven villages of Harwich are: West Harwich, North Harwich, East Harwich, South Harwich, Harwich Center, Harwich Port and Pleasant Lake. These villages are also referred to as the Harwiches.
Harwich is on the southern side of Cape Cod, just west of the southeastern corner. It is bordered by Dennis
to the North and to the West. Brewster
to the north, Orleans
and Chatham
to the east, Nantucket Sound
to the south. Harwich is approximately twelve miles east of Barnstable
, twenty-eight miles east of the Cape Cod Canal
, 35 miles [conversion?] south of Provincetown
, and eighty miles southeast of Boston
.
Cape Cod's largest inland body of water, Long Pond, lies on the Brewster border as well as several other smaller bodies of water. The shore is home to several harbors and rivers, including the Herring River, Allens Harbor, Wychmere Harbor, Saquatucket Harbor, and the Andrews River. The town is also the home to the Hawksnest State Park, as well as a marina and several beaches, including two on Long Pond.
, 0.19% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races
, and 1.40% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,471 households out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,552, and the median income for a family was $51,070. Males had a median income of $38,948 versus $27,439 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,063. About 2.9% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
The town of Harwich contains several smaller census-designated place
s (CDPs) for which the U.S. Census reports more focused geographic and demographic information. The CDPs in Harwich are Harwich Center
, Harwich Port
(including South Harwich
), East Harwich
and Northwest Harwich
(including West Harwich
, North Harwich
, and Pleasant Lake
).
as a part of the Fourth Barnstable district, which includes (with the exception of Brewster) all the towns east and north of Harwich on the Cape. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate
as a part of the Cape and Islands District, which includes all of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket except the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and a portion of Barnstable. The town is patrolled by the Second (Yarmouth) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police
.
On the national level, Harwich is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district
, and is currently represented by Bill Delahunt
. The state's senior (Class II) member of the United States Senate
, re-elected in 2008, is John Kerry
. The junior (Class I) Senator, elected in a special election on January 19, 2010, is Scott Brown
.
Harwich is governed by the open town meeting
form of government, led by a town administrator and a board of selectmen
.
serves grades 9–12. Harwich's teams are known as the Rough Riders, and their colors are Blue and Gold. Harwich is known for its excellent boys basketball, girls basketball, girls field hockey and baseball teams. Recently Chatham and Harwich have been thinking about making a Regional School District. Also the Lighthouse Charter School have plans to move into where the Harwich Cinema building is.
In addition Harwich is also the site of Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
a 9–12 high school which serves most of Cape Cod. The town is also home to Holy Trinity Regional School, a Catholic school which serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grades in West Harwich.
and Route 28
, cross the town. The town is also the southern termini of Routes 39
and 124
as well as a portion of Route 137
, pass through the town. Route 39
goes from Harwich Port
to East Harwich
, Route 28
only goes through West Harwich
, South Harwich
and Harwich Port
, Route 124
goes through Harwich Port
all the way to Pleasant Lake
and Route 137
goes through East Harwich
and South Harwich
.
, as well as several other bicycle routes, are in town. There is no rail service in town but the Cape Cod Rail Trail
rotary is located in North Harwich
near Main Street.
; and the nearest national and international air service is at Logan International Airport
in Boston.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
on Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, in Barnstable County
Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Barnstable County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, consisting of Cape Cod and associated islands. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,902...
in the state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore
Cape Cod National Seashore
The Cape Cod National Seashore , created on August 7, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, encompasses on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It includes ponds, woods and beachfront of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion...
. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape Cod; the shores that face Nantucket Sound
Nantucket Sound
Nantucket Sound is a roughly triangular area of the Atlantic Ocean offshore from the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is long and wide, and is enclosed by Cape Cod on the north, Nantucket on the south, and Martha's Vineyard on the west. Between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard it is connected to the...
. Harwich has three active harbors. Saquatucket, Wychmere and Allen Harbors are all in Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
. The town of Harwich includes the villages of Pleasant Lake
Pleasant Lake, Massachusetts
Pleasant Lake is a village in the town of Harwich and is located off the Mid-Cape Highway. Most of the village is part of the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.Pleasant Lake is one of the least known of the Harwich villages.-External links:*...
, West Harwich
West Harwich, Massachusetts
West Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, United States. West Harwich makes most of the population in the Northwest Harwich Census-designated place.-Geography:West Harwich is located at ....
, East Harwich
East Harwich, Massachusetts
East Harwich is a census-designated place and a village of Harwich in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Harwich is located at ....
, Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
, Harwich Center
Harwich Center, Massachusetts
Harwich Center is a census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,832 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Harwich Center is located at ....
, North Harwich
North Harwich, Massachusetts
North Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is located within the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.-Geography:...
and South Harwich
South Harwich, Massachusetts
South Harwich is a village of Harwich and is located within the Harwich Port Census-designated place. South Harwich is home to much history and attractions such as the South Harwich meeting house or the Red River Beach.-External links:*...
.
History
Harwich was first settled in 1670 as part of YarmouthYarmouth, Massachusetts
Yarmouth is a New England town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
. The town was officially incorporated in 1694, and originally included the lands of the current town of Brewster
Brewster, Massachusetts
Brewster is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 9,820 at the 2010 census.Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom....
. Early industry involved fishing and farming. The town is considered by some to be the birthplace of the cranberry industry, with the first commercial operation opened in 1846. There are still many bogs in the town, although the economy is now more centered on tourism and as a residential community. The town is also the site of the start/finish line of the "Sail Around the Cape," which rounds the Cape counter-clockwise, returning via the Cape Cod Canal
Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal is an artificial waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
.
Attractions
- In the summer, the town is host to the Harwich MarinersHarwich MarinersThe Harwich Mariners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Harwich, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division. Harwich currently plays its home games at Whitehouse Field in the historic village of Harwich Center...
of the Cape Cod Baseball LeagueCape Cod Baseball LeagueThe Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in which many college baseball stars play during the summer. Many future Major League Baseball players have started there during their college years; MLB has provided...
. The Mariners are the 2008 league champions. The team plays at Whitehouse Field. - Harwich is also known for its three beautiful harbors called Allen Harbor, Wychmere Harbor and Saquatucket Harbor all located in Harwichport.
- Harwich also contains the largest lake on the Cape, called Long PondLong Pond-In Massachusetts:* Long Pond , a lake/reservoir/pond within the towns of Lakeville and Freetown* Long Pond , a lake and village in Plymouth*Long Pond...
, which serves as a private airport for planes with the ability to land on water which is in the village of Pleasant Lake. - The town is known for its many cranberryCranberryCranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines in the subgenus Oxycoccus of the genus Vaccinium. In some methods of classification, Oxycoccus is regarded as a genus in its own right...
bogs, which produce cranberries that are commercially farmed. - In North HarwichNorth Harwich, MassachusettsNorth Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is located within the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.-Geography:...
Sand Pond,a public beach and lovely swimming area, is located off Great Western Road. - There are many beaches in West HarwichWest Harwich, MassachusettsWest Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, United States. West Harwich makes most of the population in the Northwest Harwich Census-designated place.-Geography:West Harwich is located at ....
and South HarwichSouth Harwich, MassachusettsSouth Harwich is a village of Harwich and is located within the Harwich Port Census-designated place. South Harwich is home to much history and attractions such as the South Harwich meeting house or the Red River Beach.-External links:*...
. - There is The Patriot Square Shopping Center in South DennisSouth Dennis, MassachusettsSouth Dennis is a census-designated place in the town of Dennis in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,679 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Dennis is located at ....
is close by for North HarwichNorth Harwich, MassachusettsNorth Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is located within the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.-Geography:...
and West HarwichWest Harwich, MassachusettsWest Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, United States. West Harwich makes most of the population in the Northwest Harwich Census-designated place.-Geography:West Harwich is located at ....
which has a Stop & Shop and many other stores around it other than that there's a Shaw's Star Market on the Harwich Port/West Harwich border and a Stop & Shop in East Harwich. - Take note that harwich PortHarwich Port, MassachusettsHarwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
is home to most of Harwich's population for year round and the summer.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 33.2 square miles (86 km²), of which, 21 square miles (54.4 km²) of it is land and 12.1 square miles (31.3 km²) of it (36.53%) is water. The seven villages of Harwich are: West Harwich, North Harwich, East Harwich, South Harwich, Harwich Center, Harwich Port and Pleasant Lake. These villages are also referred to as the Harwiches.
Harwich is on the southern side of Cape Cod, just west of the southeastern corner. It is bordered by Dennis
Dennis, Massachusetts
Dennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States; located near the center of Cape Cod. The population was 14,207 at the 2010 census.The town encompasses five distinct villages, each of which has its own post office...
to the North and to the West. Brewster
Brewster, Massachusetts
Brewster is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 9,820 at the 2010 census.Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom....
to the north, Orleans
Orleans, Massachusetts
Orleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,890 at the 2010 census....
and Chatham
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,625 at the 2000 census...
to the east, Nantucket Sound
Nantucket Sound
Nantucket Sound is a roughly triangular area of the Atlantic Ocean offshore from the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is long and wide, and is enclosed by Cape Cod on the north, Nantucket on the south, and Martha's Vineyard on the west. Between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard it is connected to the...
to the south. Harwich is approximately twelve miles east of Barnstable
Barnstable, Massachusetts
Barnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
, twenty-eight miles east of the Cape Cod Canal
Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal is an artificial waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
, 35 miles [conversion?] south of Provincetown
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown is a New England town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,431 at the 2000 census, with an estimated 2007 population of 3,174...
, and eighty miles southeast of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Cape Cod's largest inland body of water, Long Pond, lies on the Brewster border as well as several other smaller bodies of water. The shore is home to several harbors and rivers, including the Herring River, Allens Harbor, Wychmere Harbor, Saquatucket Harbor, and the Andrews River. The town is also the home to the Hawksnest State Park, as well as a marina and several beaches, including two on Long Pond.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,386 people, 5,471 households, and 3,545 families residing in the town. The population density was 588.6 people per square mile (227.3/km²). There were 9,450 housing units at an average density of 449.1 per square mile (173.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.41% White, 0.71% Black or African AmericanRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.40% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,471 households out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,552, and the median income for a family was $51,070. Males had a median income of $38,948 versus $27,439 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,063. About 2.9% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
The town of Harwich contains several smaller census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
s (CDPs) for which the U.S. Census reports more focused geographic and demographic information. The CDPs in Harwich are Harwich Center
Harwich Center, Massachusetts
Harwich Center is a census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,832 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Harwich Center is located at ....
, Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
(including South Harwich
South Harwich, Massachusetts
South Harwich is a village of Harwich and is located within the Harwich Port Census-designated place. South Harwich is home to much history and attractions such as the South Harwich meeting house or the Red River Beach.-External links:*...
), East Harwich
East Harwich, Massachusetts
East Harwich is a census-designated place and a village of Harwich in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Harwich is located at ....
and Northwest Harwich
Northwest Harwich, Massachusetts
Northwest Harwich is a census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,311 at the 2000 census. The CDP includes the Harwich villages of West Harwich, North Harwich, and Pleasant Lake....
(including West Harwich
West Harwich, Massachusetts
West Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, United States. West Harwich makes most of the population in the Northwest Harwich Census-designated place.-Geography:West Harwich is located at ....
, North Harwich
North Harwich, Massachusetts
North Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is located within the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.-Geography:...
, and Pleasant Lake
Pleasant Lake, Massachusetts
Pleasant Lake is a village in the town of Harwich and is located off the Mid-Cape Highway. Most of the village is part of the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.Pleasant Lake is one of the least known of the Harwich villages.-External links:*...
).
Government
Harwich is represented in the Massachusetts House of RepresentativesMassachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
as a part of the Fourth Barnstable district, which includes (with the exception of Brewster) all the towns east and north of Harwich on the Cape. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
as a part of the Cape and Islands District, which includes all of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket except the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and a portion of Barnstable. The town is patrolled by the Second (Yarmouth) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police
Massachusetts State Police
The Massachusetts State Police is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security responsible for criminal law enforcement and traffic vehicle regulation across the state...
.
On the national level, Harwich is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district
Massachusetts's 10th congressional district
Massachusetts's 10th congressional district is a political constituency that includes parts of the South Shore of Massachusetts, and all of Cape Cod and the islands. With a population of 635,901 and a land area of , it is the most populous of Massachusetts's ten congressional districts and the...
, and is currently represented by Bill Delahunt
Bill Delahunt
William D. Delahunt is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was replaced by Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating...
. The state's senior (Class II) member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, re-elected in 2008, is John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
. The junior (Class I) Senator, elected in a special election on January 19, 2010, is Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Scott Brown is a United States senator.Scott Brown may also refer to:-Sportsmen:*Scott Brown , American college football coach of Kentucky State...
.
Harwich is governed by the open town meeting
Open town meeting
An open town meeting is a form of town meeting in which all registered voters of a town may vote . This form of government is typical of smaller municipalities in the New England region of the United States....
form of government, led by a town administrator and a board of selectmen
Board of selectmen
The board of selectmen is commonly the executive arm of the government of New England towns in the United States. The board typically consists of three or five members, with or without staggered terms.-History:...
.
Public and health services
- There are three libraries in the town. The municipal library, the Brooks Free Library in Harwich Center, is the largest and is a member of the Cape Libraries Automated Materials SharingCape Libraries Automated Materials SharingThe Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing network is a non-profit, cooperative association of thirty-two member libraries and thirty-five locations located throughout Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket...
library network. There are two smaller non-municipal libraries – the Chase Library on Route 28 in West Harwich at the Dennis town line, and the Harwich Port Library on Lower bank St. in Harwich Port. - Harwich is also the site of the Long Pond Medical Center, which serves the southeastern Cape region.
- Harwich has Police and Fire departments, with one Fire and Police station Headquarters, and Station 2 in East HarwichEast Harwich, MassachusettsEast Harwich is a census-designated place and a village of Harwich in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Harwich is located at ....
. - There are post offices in Harwich Port, South Harwich, West Harwich, and East Harwich.
Education
Harwich operates its own school system for its approximately 1,400 students. Harwich Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, Harwich Middle School serves grades 5–8, and Harwich High SchoolHarwich High School
Harwich High School is a public high school located in Harwich, MA. The school colors are Gold and Blue and their team is the Rough Riders. Harwich High School is the third smallest public high school school on Cape Cod.-Overview:...
serves grades 9–12. Harwich's teams are known as the Rough Riders, and their colors are Blue and Gold. Harwich is known for its excellent boys basketball, girls basketball, girls field hockey and baseball teams. Recently Chatham and Harwich have been thinking about making a Regional School District. Also the Lighthouse Charter School have plans to move into where the Harwich Cinema building is.
In addition Harwich is also the site of Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, also known as Cape Tech and Lower Cape Tech and sometimes abbreviated as CCT, is a public vocational and technical high school located in Harwich, Massachusetts....
a 9–12 high school which serves most of Cape Cod. The town is also home to Holy Trinity Regional School, a Catholic school which serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grades in West Harwich.
Transportation
Roadways
Two of Massachusetts major routes, U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
and Route 28
Route 28 (Massachusetts)
Route 28 is a nominally south–north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns west to...
, cross the town. The town is also the southern termini of Routes 39
Route 39 (Massachusetts)
Route 39 is a southwest-northeast route through the towns of Harwich, Brewster and Orleans, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It begins and ends at Route 28, acting as a bypass route for those not wishing to follow the Highway through Harwich Port and Chatham....
and 124
Route 124 (Massachusetts)
Route 124 is a south–north state route located in the towns of Harwich and Brewster, Massachusetts.-Route description:The road begins at the intersection of Route 28, overlapping Route 39. It leaves Route 39 next to the First Parish Church in downtown Harwich. After , the road passes the...
as well as a portion of Route 137
Route 137 (Massachusetts)
Route 137 is a north–south state route on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is located within the towns of Brewster, Harwich and Chatham.Route 137 begins in Brewster at the intersection of Route 6A and Long Pond Road...
, pass through the town. Route 39
Route 39 (Massachusetts)
Route 39 is a southwest-northeast route through the towns of Harwich, Brewster and Orleans, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It begins and ends at Route 28, acting as a bypass route for those not wishing to follow the Highway through Harwich Port and Chatham....
goes from Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
to East Harwich
East Harwich, Massachusetts
East Harwich is a census-designated place and a village of Harwich in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Harwich is located at ....
, Route 28
Route 28 (Massachusetts)
Route 28 is a nominally south–north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns west to...
only goes through West Harwich
West Harwich, Massachusetts
West Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, United States. West Harwich makes most of the population in the Northwest Harwich Census-designated place.-Geography:West Harwich is located at ....
, South Harwich
South Harwich, Massachusetts
South Harwich is a village of Harwich and is located within the Harwich Port Census-designated place. South Harwich is home to much history and attractions such as the South Harwich meeting house or the Red River Beach.-External links:*...
and Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
, Route 124
Route 124 (Massachusetts)
Route 124 is a south–north state route located in the towns of Harwich and Brewster, Massachusetts.-Route description:The road begins at the intersection of Route 28, overlapping Route 39. It leaves Route 39 next to the First Parish Church in downtown Harwich. After , the road passes the...
goes through Harwich Port
Harwich Port, Massachusetts
Harwich Port is an affluent beach resort census-designated place in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is a very popular vacation spot on Cape Cod. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. In addition to the village of Harwich Port, the village...
all the way to Pleasant Lake
Pleasant Lake, Massachusetts
Pleasant Lake is a village in the town of Harwich and is located off the Mid-Cape Highway. Most of the village is part of the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.Pleasant Lake is one of the least known of the Harwich villages.-External links:*...
and Route 137
Route 137 (Massachusetts)
Route 137 is a north–south state route on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is located within the towns of Brewster, Harwich and Chatham.Route 137 begins in Brewster at the intersection of Route 6A and Long Pond Road...
goes through East Harwich
East Harwich, Massachusetts
East Harwich is a census-designated place and a village of Harwich in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Harwich is located at ....
and South Harwich
South Harwich, Massachusetts
South Harwich is a village of Harwich and is located within the Harwich Port Census-designated place. South Harwich is home to much history and attractions such as the South Harwich meeting house or the Red River Beach.-External links:*...
.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
A portion of the Cape Cod Rail TrailCape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved rail trail located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, it occupies an abandoned Old Colony Railroad corridor and extends from Route 134 in South Dennis to LeCount Hollow Road in South Wellfleet.Its...
, as well as several other bicycle routes, are in town. There is no rail service in town but the Cape Cod Rail Trail
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved rail trail located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, it occupies an abandoned Old Colony Railroad corridor and extends from Route 134 in South Dennis to LeCount Hollow Road in South Wellfleet.Its...
rotary is located in North Harwich
North Harwich, Massachusetts
North Harwich is a village in the town of Harwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The village is located within the census-designated place of Northwest Harwich.-Geography:...
near Main Street.
Air Travel
Other than the occasional sea plane landing on the pond, the nearest airport is in neighboring Chatham; the nearest regional service is at Barnstable Municipal AirportBarnstable Municipal Airport
Barnstable Municipal Airport , also known as Boardman/Polando Field, is a public airport located on Cape Cod, one mile north of the central business district of Hyannis, in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is publicly owned by Town of Barnstable...
; and the nearest national and international air service is at Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts . It covers , has six runways, and employs an estimated 16,000 people. It is the 19th busiest airport in the United States.Boston serves as a focus city for JetBlue Airways...
in Boston.
CCRTA Bus Connections
In recent years parts of Cape Cod have introduced bus service, especially during the summer to help cut down on traffic.- The Flex Harwich Port – West Harwich – Dennis Port - South Dennis – East Dennis - South Yarmouth - West Yarmouth - Hyannis
- Route H20 Hyannis, MA – Orleans, MA via South Dennis, West Dennis, Dennis Port, Harwich Port, Chatham and Orleans.
Notable residents
- Shawn FanningShawn FanningShawn Fanning is an American computer programmer, serial entrepreneur, and angel investor. He developed Napster, one of the first popular peer-to-peer file sharing platforms, in 1998. The popularity of Napster was widespread and Fanning was featured on the cover of Time magazine...
– Creator and Owner of MP3 music downloading application, NapsterNapsterNapster is an online music store and a Best Buy company. It was originally founded as a pioneering peer-to-peer file sharing Internet service that emphasized sharing audio files that were typically digitally encoded music as MP3 format files...
. Graduated from Harwich High SchoolHarwich High SchoolHarwich High School is a public high school located in Harwich, MA. The school colors are Gold and Blue and their team is the Rough Riders. Harwich High School is the third smallest public high school school on Cape Cod.-Overview:...
. - Cody Crowell – Baseball pitcher for Harwich, attended Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
, Drafted by Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft2007 Major League Baseball DraftThe 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
. - Thomas Lewis Snow - Born in Harwich. Notable Cape Cod deep water Sea Captain who captained the ships Empire, Camallia, Hercules and the clipper Ringleader and traded extensively in the Far East. Sailed to Shanghai in 1888 and Yokohama in 1882. His Harwich home is now a leading Cape Cod Inn, The Platinum Pebble.
External links
- Town of Harwich official website
- Brooks Free Library
- Harwich Chamber of Commerce tourist information
- Harwich Public Schools
- Harwich Mariners
- Harwich Harbormaster & Natural Resources
- The Cape Cod Chronicle, Harwich's hometown newspaper
- Photos and Video of Weir Fishing in Harwich, MA
- Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority
- The Flex Bus Route