Welcome to Wellfleet, MA



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Annual Town Report

 

Seashore Homeowners- WNSHA

Wellfleet National Seashore Homeowners Association


Gull Pond Area

Conservation Association (GUPACA)


Friends of the Herring River


IT Department - Information/Tech Support


Town Water Project

 

Non-Resident Taxpayers

Non-Resident Taxpayer Association


Wellfleet Forum

Wellfleet Forum Home Page


Herring River Restoration Project


Herbicide Issues


Wind Turbine Projec

 

Sheraton Boston

Chatham Bars Inn

Boston Park Plaza

Seaport Hotel Boston

Hyatt Regency Boston

Revere Hotel Boston Common

Boston Harbor Hotel

Boston Marriott Copley Place

Four Seasons Boston

Beauport Hotel Gloucester

Yotel Boston

The Colonnade Hotel

Boston Marriott Long Wharf

The Godfrey Hotel Boston

Intercontinental Boston

Hilton Boston Back Bay

W Boston

Boston Marriott Newton

The Revolution Hotel

Hotel Commonwealth

Westin Copley Place

Hilton Boston Logan Airport

Liberty Hotel

Wequassett Resort And Golf Club

Hawthorne Hotel

Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

Courtyard By Marriott Boston Downtown

Boston Marriott Quincy

The Bostonian Boston

Boston Marriott Cambridge

Hyatt Regency Boston Cambridge

Loews Hotel Boston

Royal Sonesta Boston

Langham Hotel Boston

Hampton Inn Boston Logan Airport

Nantasket Beach Resort

 

 

 

Wellfleet Bulletins & Public Notices


7.22.11
Wellfleet's Bathing Beach Sampling Program
7.20.11
Give Pints for Half-Pints Blood Drive August 11
7.11.11
Pay As You Throw and Single Stream Recycling Task Force Members Wanted
7.7.11
Iris's Cafe Menu for July and August
6.21.11
Board and Committee Volunteer Application
6.15.11
Oystering in Wellfleet - NYT Travel Section Clip
6.14.11
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
6.6.11
Wellfleet and Harwich Dispatch Report

 

 

The Charles Hotel

Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor

The Verb Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Boston

Ritz Carlton Boston

Battery Wharf Hotel Boston Waterfront

Lenox Hotel Boston

Moxy Boston Downtown

Hi Boston Hostel

The Westin Waltham Boston

Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Kimpton Nine Zero

Cape Codder Resort & Spa

Kimpton Marlowe Hotel

Copley Square Hotel

 

 

 

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About Wellfleet
Town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts

 

 

Wellfleet Today History of Wellfleet Photo Gallery

 

Wellfleet Today

(from Mass Department of Housing and Community Development community profile and Wellfleet Chamber of Commerce)

Wellfleet, located on Cape Cod, is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. It is home to the Cape Cod National Seashore Headquarters, which showcases the stunning coastal landscape. Additionally, the town boasts the Massachusetts Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning over 1,000 acres.

 


Boston Marriott Peabody

The Westin Boston Seaport District

Aloft Boston Seaport District

Hilton Boston Downtown/Faneuil Hall

Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill

Newbury Hotel Boston

The Cove At Yarmouth

Courtyard By Marriott Boston Logan Airport

Embassy Suites By Hilton Boston At Logan Airport

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Boston Downtown

Hyannis Harbor Hotel

Boston Marriott Burlington

 


Fishing enthusiasts will find Wellfleet to be a haven for various fishing opportunities. Whether it's ocean surfcasting, freshwater pond fishing, or exploring Cape Cod Bay by boat, the town offers a range of options to satisfy every angler's passion. Wellfleet is especially famous for its abundance of shellfish, including the renowned "Wellfleet Oysters."

One of the highlights of Wellfleet is its enchanting freshwater ponds. These serene bodies of water glisten under the early sunlight, and their small sandy beaches radiate joy in the late afternoon as the surrounding pine trees cast their shadows on the water. Indulging in a day spent on the expansive backshore beach followed by a leisurely swim in the warm waters of one of the kettle ponds is a true luxury that Wellfleet provides.

 

History of Wellfleet

(from "Setting A Course for the Future", the 1995 Local Comprehensive Plan)

Wellfleet, originally part of the grant by the Court of New Plymouth, began as a settlement in the 1650s. The area, initially known as Billingsgate due to its rich fishing grounds, gradually saw the establishment of dispersed dwellings and a growing population.


In the early 18th century, the residents of Billingsgate sought to form their own town, but the petition for incorporation was initially denied. However, in 1723, the North Precinct of Eastham was established, covering the area between Hatches Creek and the Truro line. Finally, in 1763, the General Court officially recognized the North Precinct as the separate district of Wellfleet. The name was chosen in the hopes of benefiting from the association or confusion with the renowned Wellfleet oysters of England.


Over the course of its history, Wellfleet's economy transitioned through farming, fishing, and commerce, with services becoming significant due to retirees, non-resident homeowners, and tourists. The sandy soil and limited resources posed challenges to agriculture, leading to a decline in farming activities. However, Wellfleet Harbor, known for its abundant fish and oysters, thrived as a whaling industry hub during the 1700s, bringing prosperity to the town. Unfortunately, the Revolutionary War and subsequent British blockade resulted in the decay of the whaling fleet and the end of Wellfleet's prominence as a whaling port.


Ac Hotel By Marriott Boston Downtown

The Whitney Hotel Boston

Harborside Inn Boston

Ocean Mist Cape Cod

Tidewater Inn

The Inn At Longwood Medical

Hampton Inn Salem Ma

Colonial Inn Concord Ma

Motor Inn

Economy Lodge

Harbor Hotel Provincetown

Four Points Sheraton Norwood


During the 19th century, Wellfleet experienced a flourishing fishing industry, becoming one of Massachusetts' leading fishing ports. The local shellfishermen also contributed to the town's economy by importing oysters from various regions, planting them in the harbor to acquire the renowned Wellfleet flavor, and harvesting them for the Boston market.
However, the decline of the mackerel fishery in the late 1800s led to the cessation of schooner sailing from Wellfleet Harbor by 1900. Nevertheless, the shellfish industry remained active, with native oyster production gradually increasing. The fluctuating harvests of oysters, quahogs, clams, scallops, and sea clams continued to play a significant role in the town's economy.
The emergence of Wellfleet as a tourist destination began in the early 20th century, with the construction of the Chequesset Inn by L.D. Baker. This development helped reverse the decline in prosperity and population that had started in the late 19th century. However, growth was slow due to the Great Depression and only gained momentum after World War II with the construction of the Mid-Cape Highway.

The establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961 had a profound impact on preserving Wellfleet's character amidst the rapid growth experienced elsewhere on Cape Cod. The designated boundary of the Seashore covers a significant portion of Wellfleet's land, including vital ecosystems such as kettle ponds and the Herring River basin. The management policies of the National Park Service contribute to the protection of these resources, shaping the town's development patterns and helping to maintain its traditional settlement areas.


As a result, most new development in recent decades has been concentrated near the town's established residential and commercial centers, while Wellfleet has retained its distinct character thanks to the influence of the National Seashore.


Oak N Spruce Resort

Hilton Boston Woburn

Studio Allston Hotel

Riviera Beach Resort

Williams Inn

Hilton Garden Inn Worcester

Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth

Comfort Inn Boston

Embassy Suites Boston

Club Quarters Boston

Tewksbury Inn

The Salem Inn

Red Jacket Beach Resort


 

Photo Gallery

(Photographs provided by the Town of Wellfleet)

 

Cahoon Hallow Beach

Cape Cod National Seashore

Central Village

Fishing Boats in Wellfleet Harbor

Gull Pond

Herring River Dike

Wellfleet Historical Society Museum

Scenic Rural Road

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

White Cedar Swamp Trail

Wellfleet Harbor

Chequessett Yacht and Golf Club

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