An initiative to build a $3.5 million dormitory for summer employees at the airport is at least two years away from completion. Members of a committee looking at the feasibility of a complex said there is much work to do, but support is widespread.
New developers of the old Vineyard Acres II subdivision in Edgartown have filed an application with the Edgartown zoning board of appeals to build a private 18-hole golf club on the site once planned for 148 houses.
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank has signed an agreement to buy and conserve seven acres of farmland as part of a larger, proposed 35-acre subdivision in West Tisbury that would include affordable and market-rate housing developments.
It affords us sincere pleasure to announce that the question whether Katama was “to be or not to be” the scene of a new settlement and a resort for summer visitors, is certainly “to be.”
We were morally certain of this fact several weeks ago, but refrained from stating it at the request of the parties concerned in working up the enterprise, until all possibility of a failure from any human cause, was removed. It is now a fixed fact, and we but give voice to the expression of our citizens when we propose three times three cheers for the cheering inevitable.
While Chappaquiddick left an indelible mark on the Vineyard, the broadscale population change and development that occurred on the Island over the next 50 years had started long beforehand.
This new summer resort located at West Chop is very beautifully situated on the shores of Vineyard Haven harbor and Vineyard sound, but a few minutes ride from the village of Vineyard Haven. The gentlemen who have undertaken this new enterprise are men of ample means and business ability; they are spending a large amount of money for the development of the property question. Among the improvements already made might be mentioned the building of a large and substantial wharf into the waters of Vineyard Sound.
Not long ago we heard a valued summer resident of an Island town discourse in a rather surprising way. She said:
“Some of us have formed a knockers’ club this year. If anyone asks us about the Vineyard, we say, ‘We-e-ell, the mosquitoes were pretty bad this season,’ or something of that sort designed to be discouraging. You see, it’s a question whether the Island isn’t becoming a little too popular, whether there haven’t been too many people around this year.”
The past week has been an eventful one in the history of Cottage City and in her prospects for the future. The decision in the question of the ownership of the parks in favor of the town will mark a new era in its history. The removal of this cloud, which has so long gung like a pall over its prosperity, will give a new impetus to improving property and the purchase of land and building of new cottages. The people’s rights have been protected by the courts, and it is many years since so healthy a sentiment has prevailed here in business circles.
One of the most delightfully situated Islands on the Atlantic coast is the old Indian home of the Chappaquiddic Tribe, now almost extinct, but sparsely settled by parties who make life busy in the various callings associated with agriculture and fishing interests. This island is about three miles wide by five in length. In beauty of landscape and water view, with its general diversity of soil and rolling aspect of every hand, it has been appropriately called “a gem,” in a setting at once beautiful and enchanting.
Capt. William Lewis has sold to a syndicate of Boston gentlemen all the land, wharf property, &c., of the West Point Land Co., on West Chop, Martha’s Vineyard. This land was purchased by Capt. Lewis some 12 or 15 years ago and improvements made to the extent of several thousand dollars. Avenues were laid out, a wharf was built and the land was plotted for cottage lots, but the boom at Cottage City at that time diverted attention from this fine locality. The purchasers are heavy men and include William Minot, Stephen Weld and Francis Peabody.
