Whaling
Edgartown was founded in 1642 and originally named Great Harbor, but later renamed Edgar Towne after Edgar, whose father James II of England, was heir presumptive to the English throne. [They were unaware that he had just died]
In the 1800s Edgartown became one of the primary ports for the whaling industry, and there are many historic grand mansions built by whaling captains and other prominent people still standing. On the right of the photo you can see one such property. At the top of the house you can see what is called a widow’s walk, and legend has it that wives would watch for months from these balconies, hoping to see the sails of ships that would bring their husbands home from the sea. [There is little or no evidence that widow's walks were intended or regularly used for this purpose. They were frequently built around the chimney of the residence, thus creating an easy access route to the structure,]
By the beginning of the 20th century, whaling’s influence on the town which had made its fortunes through the industry, was ended, and now it is a summer tourist destination, sharks permitting….
Whaling
Edgartown was founded in 1642 and originally named Great Harbor, but later renamed Edgar Towne after Edgar, whose father James II of England, was heir presumptive to the English throne. [They were unaware that he had just died]
In the 1800s Edgartown became one of the primary ports for the whaling industry, and there are many historic grand mansions built by whaling captains and other prominent people still standing. On the right of the photo you can see one such property. At the top of the house you can see what is called a widow’s walk, and legend has it that wives would watch for months from these balconies, hoping to see the sails of ships that would bring their husbands home from the sea. [There is little or no evidence that widow's walks were intended or regularly used for this purpose. They were frequently built around the chimney of the residence, thus creating an easy access route to the structure,]
By the beginning of the 20th century, whaling’s influence on the town which had made its fortunes through the industry, was ended, and now it is a summer tourist destination, sharks permitting….