Sending out a big THANK YOU for all of those that voted us #1 Real Estate Agency in the Martha’s Vineyard Magazine contest for Best of the Vineyard. We are so pleased to work with all of you and so appreciate all of you support!
Sandpiper Rentals – Best of the Vineyard Photo by: David Welch http://dwpmv.com/
Sandpiper Rentals, Inc Best of the Vineyard
We’re looking forward to another great season and hope you will stop by our new location, 62 Winter Street, and say hello!
Anne Mayhew
anne@SandpiperRental.com CLICK HERE to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS
or CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes
Perched on top of the famous clay cliffs in Aquinnah, the Gay Head Lighthouse is in danger of toppling into the sea below if it isn’t moved back within the next year and a half. In a race against time, locals are frantically trying to accumulate the funds to get this historic icon moved to a yet to be decided location.
So why the urgency? To move the Gay Head Lighthouse safely, there needs to be a 30′ circumference around the lighthouse to accommodate the heavy impact of the moving vehicles and machinery. Currently there is only 47′, and that is swifty eroding, according to a geological and engineering study performed 2012.
In order to move the 400 ton beacon the town of Aquinnah is applying for ownership from the US Coast Guard, and scrambling to raise over $3,000,000 for the project. The Save Gay Head Lighthouse Advisory Committee is well underway, hoping to raise 2/3 of the funding from private sources, and 1/3 from public events, as well as public and private grants. They hope to be able to move the Gay Head Lighthouse in late fall of 2014 to one of three spots. The final location will be chosen based on geological factors, and many other factors. If everything goes to plan the actual move should take about 1-2 weeks.
In 1796, thanks in large part to the whaling and shipping industries, Massachusetts State Senator, Peleg Coffin, put in a request to Congress to have a lighthouse installed on Martha’s Vineyard overlooking what is known as “Devils Bridge”, a shallow dangerous passage in the Vineyard Sound. By 1799 the Gay Head Lighthouse was constructed and helped many a sailor on their voyage. Just a short 45 years later, the lighthouse had to be moved back 75’. John Mayhew of Edgartown was in charge of the move, and the total cost at time was $396.75.
Due to weather and erosion, the original octagonal shaped building had to be replaced in 1885, to what is now the iconic brick building we know and love today. At that time, Gay Head was listed as the 9th most important lighthouse in our country. Because of this, and the timing of needing to be replaced it was the first United States lighthouse to receive a Fresnel lens, making the light the most visually powerful lighthouse yet.
In order to differentiate itself from the area’s two other light houses – one at Sankaty Head, and the other at Montauk Point- the Gay Head Lighthouse changed from flashing white to flashing three whites and a red in 1874.
Things remained relatively the same for many years with the lighthouse until 1954. With electricity starting to replace kerosene in the early half of the 20th century, it was only a matter of time until our beloved lighthouse was converted to an electric lamp.
Now we are at the end of a fabulous chapter of history for this iconic lighthouse. Within the next couple of months we will be turning the page to a new era of history for The Gay Head Lighthouse; one that hopefully will last another century.
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While driving around the Island while doing my errands, I couldn’t help but notice all the positive changes that are happening all around. In Oak Bluffs, it seems there is a mini revival going on. Business owners are starting to make much needed repairs and renovations to buildings, breathing new life into the somewhat drab Circuit Avenue. Leading the charge and, one of the biggest changes that you’ll see, is the Lampost and Dive Bar. The largest building on Circuit Avenue had some major renovations done, including creating multi level outdoor dining spaces, improved bathrooms, a crisp and clean paint scheme, and the biggest thing of all, a new kitchen! Food will be prepared by the Chef from Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches. It was the owner’s goal to restore it to all its former grandeur. Did you know the Lampost is considered one of the oldest bar/restaurants on the east coast?
Another familiar Island staple, Basics Clothing, is expanding their store. Now that Edgartown National Bank is taking over the space towards the end of Circuit Ave where The Oyster Bar use to be, Basics is now breaking down the wall between the two spaces, creating a much larger space for the company.
More and more businesses seem to be out and about, getting their buildings cleaned and polished for the coming season. In Edgartown, There’s a few new restaurants and pubs coming. As you first enter Edgartown on your right, you’ll see a large building going up. Sitting on the front section of Donaroma’s Nursery in Edgartown is the new home to Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, a 1,900 sqft micropub that includes a bar, brewing area, outdoor seating, and much more.
Isola is the new Italian restaurant coming to Edgartown this Spring. Taking over the old Lattanzi’s spot, Isola is currently under construction and hopes to be open by end of May.
All these changes seem to be for the better. There are extensions being added to both new and old restaurants, new stores getting their inventory in, and much more. These signs always means that Spring is here, and that the busy season is now just around the corner. I can’t wait for sun, fun, and another wonderful island summer.
Sandpiper Rentals, Inc
Rent@SandpiperRental.com CLICK HERE to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS
or CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes
