Aquinnah History
Aquinnah History
February 26, 1937
When Gay Head Was Still Just a District
A collection of old documents dating far back in the last century has been unearthed in the old Jeffers house at Gay Head by Lorenzo D. Jeffers, the present owner of the estate of his ancestors. These documents consist of letters, ledgers, bills and notations kept by Thomas Jeffers, grandfather of the present owner.
July 18, 1918
Governor Visits the Town and Presents Shield of Honor
Saturday last was a big day in the annals of Martha’s Vineyard when Governor McCall, in the presence of a gathering of many hundreds of citizens of this and other States, presented to the town of Gay Head the Shield of Honor, which has been well-styled “the most coveted of New England’s patriotic honors.”
September 9, 1915
McCall and Party Tour the Vineyard
Republican State leaders swarmed on the island last Friday. Conducted by the ever energetic Fred. W. Smith of Oak Bluffs, who was assisted by many of the Vineyard’s local politicians, next Governor McCall and his company were taken to every town on the island, and were unanimous at its close in declaring it to have been “a most delightful day.”
July 15, 1897
Menemsha Opening
The board of Harbor and Land Commissioners seems to have come to a satisfactory understanding on the question of the boundary line between Gay Head and Chilmark. There flows from Menemsha pond a small channel to Vineyard Sound, which shifts from time to time.
April 22, 1870
Gay Head
The following is a copy of the bill incorporating the new town of Gay Head.
Sect. 1. The district of Gay Head is hereby abolished, and the territory comprised therein is hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Gay Head. And said town of Gay Head is hereby invested with all the powers, privileges, rights and immunities, and subject to all the duties and requisitions to which other towns are entitled and subject by the constitution and laws of this Commonwealth.
August 13, 1853
New Light House at Gay Head
We learn from Samuel Flanders, Esq., that a light house is to be erected at Gay Head the coming fall. It is to be located about five or six rods back of the present one. The light, at an altitude of 60 feet, will be seen by mariners over Noman’s Land, which will be of great service. A new dwelling house is also to be erected. An appropriation of $13,000 was made at the last session of Congress to cover the expense of constructing these buildings.
