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At 3:45 am on Friday, Jan. 18, 1884, the 275-foot steamer City of Columbus, bound for Savannah from Boston, struck Devil’s Bridge off Gay Head, and sank beside the treacherous rocks. Despite the heroic labors of local residents — mostly Wampanoag fishermen willing to brave the bitter, dangerous winter surf — more than a hundred […]
Joseph Thaxter, born in Hingham in 1744, grew up sickly and impoverished. He worked on his parents’ meager farm until the age of 19, and planned to become a cooper. But then he bought a winning lottery ticket, and used his substantial proceeds to attend Harvard. After graduating in 1768 (and for a while thereafter […]
The Martha's Vineyard Times This Was Then: Chief King Very slow cows and blue light bulbs. 1 of 2 Dixon Renear, William Carroll, and Chief William King, about 1958, on Union Street, Vineyard Haven. Ford dealer Dixon Renear hands over the keys to the town's first cruiser. Prior to this, patrolmen were paid $1 per day for the use of their cars. The Union Street police station (existing from about 1944 until 1965) is visible on the right. — Courtesy Barbara Baldwin Chief King inside the Union Street station. — Courtesy Barbara Baldwin Before 911, before police radios and walkie-t...
The Martha's Vineyard Times This Was Then: Some assembly required Chicken, Boots, and Buss 1 of 4 At the train terminus in Woods Hole, where Vineyard Haven men, under the employ of Island Ford dealer Walter Renear, would unload and assemble “knocked-down” Model Ts to bring to the Vineyard. Circa 1919. — Courtesy Chris Baer “Boots” Andrews, “Buss” Smith, Frank Amaral, and “Chicken” Baptiste, all of Vineyard Haven, circa 1919. — Courtesy Chris Baer Frank Amaral, "Buss" Smith, and "Chicken" Baptiste. Oil light brackets can be seen on the lower windshield corners. ...