Time Machine Terms
July 4, 1941
Uncle Sam on the Vineyard
Apropos the observation station at Peaked Hill, where a drive to the summit is now under construction, and likewise the report of a similar station to be constructed at Gay Head, near the lighthouse, it now becomes known that the reason for two such stations so close together is that the boundary lines dividing the Boston and Newport coastal defense areas converge on the Vineyard in such a way as to leave part of the Island in each district.
June 13, 1941
Build Road to Hill Top Observation Post
Work began on Tuesday on the road from the Middle Road to the top of Peaked Hill, the contract having been awarded to R. W. Balam, Boston contractor, who is engaged in putting through several jobs on the Island. The road is to be surfaced, after the grading is completed, and will supply a government way to the observation post that is planned for the Island’s highest point.
April 18, 1941
Foreshadowing of War as Big Guns Boom Nearby
The Vineyard had a faint foreshadowing of the tumult of war this week, when windows were — rattled and houses were shaken by the firing of big guns at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod and by target practice by two warships offshore.
April 11, 1941
Defense Plans Pushed Forward Rapidly Here
Plans for the protection of property and persons on Martha’s Vineyard in the event of a war emergency have been pushed forward this week by the special committee appointed for this purpose by Governor Saltonstall. A meeting was held at the town hall in Tisbury on April 3, at which all the town chairmen were present, save one. H. M. Crist presided as coordinator. Others present were Dr. Francis C. Buckley of Oak Bluffs, Raymond V. Chipman of Tisbury, Francis A. Foster of West Tisbury, Leonard C. Vanderhoop of Gay Head, and Richard L. Colter of Edartown. Ernest J.
February 28, 1941
Government to Take Only Part of Hill
The section of Peaked Hill which the government proposes to take for the purpose of establishing a signal station represents only a small part of the Peaked Hill property so-called. The entire property comprises 150 acres, and the part chosen by the government is a four and a half acre plot, which includes the site of the triangulation point monument previously erected there. It is not, as a matter of fact, the highest point of the Vineyard’s loftiest eminence, 311 feet in height, but it is regarded as line of the most beautiful. It is the peak nearest the Middle Road.
February 21, 1941
Completes Search Aimed at Acquiring Peaked Hill
Garrett Hagen, of the United States Department of Justice, has completed a search at the registry of deeds in Edgartown looking toward the acquisition of Peaked Hill by the federal government for the purposes of a signal station. The hill at present is owned principally by John Wesley Whiting. Preliminary surveys were made some time ago.
Mr. Hagen was assisted by a secretary and representatives of the federal engineers, and was accompanied also by a car and a chauffeur.
February 7, 1941
Dukes County Has 3,799 “Housing Units” for Its 5,699 Inhabitants
Dukes County boasts a total of 3,799 “housing units,” for its 5,669 inhabitants, according to revised figures issued by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1940. At the time the tally was made 1,699 of the houses were occupied, 524 were vacant and for sale or for rent, and 1,576 were vacant for other reasons.
January 10, 1941
Vineyard Observation Posts to Participate
The six Martha’s Vineyard observation posts will participate with the 700 similar posts scattered throughout New England in the communications test of the Air Defense Command which will be held this morning between the hours of 10 a. m. and 12 noon. The test is being given for the purpose of instructing observers of the Aircraft Warning Service and setting up a well-working telephone circuit between each observation post and the army information center at Mitchel Field, New York, headquarters of the Air Defense Command.
December 6, 1940
Army Engineers Make Survey of Gay Head
Although nothing official has been announced, it is learned on good authority that U.S. Army engineers have been making a survey of certain portions of Gay Head and Cuttyhunk within the past week, with a view to establishing suitable locations for fortifications should they be needed. The location favoried in Gay Head is the land lying between the lighthouse and the Vanderhoop estate, opposite the drive. This land is owned by the county, and is the site visited annually by thousands of people who go to Gay Head to see the cliffs.
October 18, 1940
539 Register As Island Man-Power
The eligible, man-power of Dukes County registered for the selective draft on Wednesday, the total number of registrants reaching 539. The figures for registration in the several towns are as follows: Tisbury, 174 resdents, 21 non-residents; Edgartown, 140 residents, 6 non-residents; Oak Bluffs, 132 residents, 6 non-residents; West Tisbury, 27 residents, 1 non-resident; Chilmark, 19 residents, 2 non-residents; Gay Head, 6 residents; Gosnold, 3 residents, 2 non-residents.
