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Sandwich, MA

Frequently asked questions

Sandwich, MA

Sandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, and is the oldest town on Cape Cod. The town motto is Post tot Naufracia Portus, "After so many shipwrecks, a haven". The population was 20,259 at the 2020 census.

Cape Cod was inhabited by American Indians before European colonization. Sandwich was occupied by the Eastern Algonquian speaking Wampanoag tribe who aided the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in the 1620s. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still lives on Cape Cod and is making efforts to revive the Wampanoag language.

A group of settlers from Saugus, Massachusetts colonized Sandwich in 1637 with the permission of the Plymouth Colony. It is named for the seaport of Sandwich, Kent in England. It was incorporated in 1639 and is the oldest town on Cape Cod together with Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The western portion of the town was separated from the original Town of Sandwich and became the town of Bourne in 1884.

Sandwich was the site of an early Quaker settlement and today hosts the oldest continuous Quaker Meeting in the U.S. Early industry revolved around agriculture, with fishing and trading also providing for the town. Later, the town grew a small industrial component along the Scusset River and Old Harbor Creek and its tributaries. Today, most of its economy is centered on tourism.

Deming Jarves founded the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory in 1825. Sandwich had proximity to a shallow harbor, was a possible canal site, and had local supplies of timber to fuel the furnaces. The glass works primarily made lead glass and was known for its use of color. Jarves received several patents for his improvements in glass mold designs and pressing techniques. The factory declined after the Civil War due to competition from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia companies that produced less expensive pressed soda-lime glass tableware. The Cape Cod Canal was constructed through the town starting in 1909, opening for travel in 1914. The Canal Generating Plant went online in 1968.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.2 square miles (114.5 km2), of which 42.7 square miles (110.7 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.8 km2), or 3.32%, is water. Sandwich is bordered by Cape Cod Bay to the north, Barnstable to the east, Mashpee and Falmouth to the south, and Bourne to the west. It is approximately 57 miles (92 km) south-southeast of Boston.

Sandwich is the site of the Cape Cod Bay entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. The northern point of Sandwich, where Sagamore Hill and Scusset Beach State Reservation lie, is divided from the rest of the town by the canal. The town is also the location of the Shawme-Crowell State Forest and the Massachusetts State Game Farm. The town is home to six beaches along the shores of Cape Cod Bay. The rest of the town's geography is typical of the rest of the Cape, with many small ponds and hills, with most of the trees being pine or oak. Sandwich is also the site of Old Harbor Creek, a large inlet with several other small creeks feeding it, which once served to provide a safe harbor for ships.

Sandwich places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care – Route 6A offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Snap Fitness is perfect for a comprehensive workout with its state-of-the-art equipment and personal training services. The Sandwich Recreation Department offers numerous fitness classes and outdoor activities, including yoga and hiking. For a unique fitness experience, check out Beach Plum Spa, which provides wellness treatments and fitness programs. Sandwich Hollows Golf Club offers golfing for those looking to combine fitness with leisure. Sandwich Bikeway & Pedestrian Committee maintains several bike paths perfect for cycling enthusiasts. East Sandwich Beach is ideal for a peaceful day of swimming and relaxation.
 

Top Sites in Sandwich, MA are Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich Glass Museum, and Scusset Beach State Reservation.

Area: 114.5 km². ZIP Codes: 02563, 02537, 02644. Area codes: 508, 774. Elevation: 20 ft (6 m). Population: 20,259 (2020).

FAQs

What is Sandwich, MA known for?

Sandwich is one of the first towns greeting visitors to Cape Cod and one of the last they see when leaving. While the rest of the world may know Sandwich for the distinctive glassware it produced in the 1800s, its most enduring legacy is as the oldest town on Cape Cod. Founded in 1637 and recognized as a town in 1639, the location was appealing for its broad marshes bordering the sea and its resemblance to its namesake - Sandwich, England.

What is Sandwich, Massachusetts named after?

Sandwich, Massachusetts is named for the seaport of Sandwich, Kent, England. The name “Sandwich” comes from Old English (O.E.) Sandwic, and means “sand village,” “sandy place,” or “place on the sand.” The old English wic is a loan word from the Latin vicus, which also gives us the word vicinity. The word “sandwich” as an item of food came into being centuries later (we’ll get to that in a bit). The first recorded mention of Sandwich in the United Kingdom was around 664 AD but there was probably some kind of settlement in Roman times as the site is very close to a Roman Fort (Rutupiae).

Is Sandwich, MA a nice town?

Sandwich is in Barnstable County. Living in Sandwich offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. In Sandwich, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many retirees live in Sandwich and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Sandwich are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Sandwich

Cape Cod Chamber

Niche

Sandwich History

Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care – Route 6A

Snap Fitness

Sandwich Recreation Department

Beach Plum Spa

Sandwich Hollows Golf Club

Sandwich Bikeway & Pedestrian Committee

East Sandwich Beach

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