Category Archives: Uncategorized

Last summer, in an effort to learn more about the families that lived in South Wellfleet, I was welcomed for a visit to the historic home of Ed Ayres and his son, and the home of Valerie and Bill Scheel. … Continue reading →

The years before the Civil War brought a good degree of prosperity to South Wellfleet. The South Wharf and its fishing operation brought many families to this part of town, and soon it had two churches, a store, and its … Continue reading →

In late July 1928, Peter Hesselbach, premier flier of the Darmstadt Academic in Rossiten, Germany, was catapulted up from Corn Hill in Truro in a glider craft just like the one that had recently set a world record for time … Continue reading →

On the night of May 2, 1859, between 12 and 1 AM, Eben S. Ward was murdered by his son-in-law, Samuel S. Rich.  The Wards lived between the South Wellfleet church/cemetery and the area noted on early maps as “Fresh … Continue reading →

As I started to gather my notes about the railroad’s arrival in South Wellfleet, I realized that I should travel back in time a bit further and write about two earlier forms of travel: stagecoaches and packet boats. When the … Continue reading →

The first Post Office in South Wellfleet was established in 1829 when Reuben Arey, Jr. was named the first postmaster. Naming a separate post office from Wellfleet’s, along with the establishment of the South Wharf and the Second Congregational Church … Continue reading →

Today, it’s just U.S. Route 6 that brings you down the Mid-Cape, around the traffic circle in Eastham, and then along four lanes – then two with shoulders – to South Wellfleet.  Route 6 has such a major impact on life in … Continue reading →

Methodism came to North America in the 1760s. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in the United States in 1784, which one writer referred to as the first Christian denomination to be established in the new nation. The Congregationalists, the … Continue reading →

On February 2, 1833, fifty three residents of South Wellfleet met and formed themselves as the Second Congregational Society of Wellfleet. Charles F. Cole’s, “History of Colonial Hall, Wellfleet, Mass.” describes this process of forming the church organization with more … Continue reading →