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About Provincetown
History
Pilgrim Monument Provincetown was incorporated in 1727 where it had
already been harboring ships for more than a century. French explorer
Samuel de Champlain visited Provincetown as early as 1605. In 1620, the
Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown's harbor, agreeing
to settle and build a self-governing community. Though the Pilgrims chose
to settle across the bay in Plymouth, Provincetown was eventually settled
as a fishing village in 1700.
The population of Provincetown remained small through most of the 18th
century. Following the American Revolution, however, Provincetown grew
rapidly as a fishing and whaling center of Cape Cod. The population was
bolstered by a number of Portuguese sailors who, hired to work on US
ships, came to live in Provincetown. By the 1890s, Provincetown was
booming, and had begun to develop a resident population of writers and
artists, as well as a summer tourist industry. When the 1898 Portland Gale
severely damaged the town's fishing industry, members of the town's art
community took over many of the abandoned buildings. By the early
decades of the 20th century, the town had acquired an international
reputation for its artistic and literary output.
In the mid-1960s, Provincetown saw population growth. The town's rural
character appealed to the the hippies of the era; furthermore, property was
relatively cheap and rents were correspondingly low, especially during the
winter. Many of those who came stayed and raised families. Commercial
Street also gained many cafes and shops due to the influx of people.
In the mid-1970s, members of the gay community began moving to
Provincetown; in 1978, the Provincetown Business Guild was formed to
promote gay tourism there. Today, more than 200 businesses belong to
the PBG, and Provincetown is perhaps the best-known gay summer resort
on the east coast.
Pilgrim Monument Provincetown was incorporated in 1727 where it had
already been harboring ships for more than a century. French explorer
Samuel de Champlain visited Provincetown as early as 1605. In 1620, the
Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown's harbor, agreeing
to settle and build a self-governing community. Though the Pilgrims chose
to settle across the bay in Plymouth, Provincetown was eventually settled
as a fishing village in 1700.
The population of Provincetown remained small through most of the 18th
century. Following the American Revolution, however, Provincetown grew
rapidly as a fishing and whaling center of Cape Cod. The population was
bolstered by a number of Portuguese sailors who, hired to work on US
ships, came to live in Provincetown. By the 1890s, Provincetown was
booming, and had begun to develop a resident population of writers and
artists, as well as a summer tourist industry. When the 1898 Portland Gale
severely damaged the town's fishing industry, members of the town's art
community took over many of the abandoned buildings. By the early
decades of the 20th century, the town had acquired an international
reputation for its artistic and literary output.
In the mid-1960s, Provincetown saw population growth. The town's rural
character appealed to the the hippies of the era; furthermore, property was
relatively cheap and rents were correspondingly low, especially during the
winter. Many of those who came stayed and raised families. Commercial
Street also gained many cafes and shops due to the influx of people.
In the mid-1970s, members of the gay community began moving to
Provincetown; in 1978, the Provincetown Business Guild was formed to
promote gay tourism there. Today, more than 200 businesses belong to
the PBG, and Provincetown is perhaps the best-known gay summer resort
on the east coast.