Located at the southeast tip of Cape Cod, Chatham, Massachusetts is situated in what is known as the “elbow” of the Cape. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Nantucket Sound to the south, and Pleasant Bay to the north.

The first European to discover Chatham was Samuel de Champlain in October 1606. Upon his arrival at Stage Harbor, Champlain was greeted by a tribe called the Monomoyicks who had probably been there for over 10,000 years. After two weeks of conflict resulting in the death of four Frenchmen and several tribe members, Champlain departed. Fifty years later, William Nickerson of Yarmouth purchased what is now present-day Chatham, MA from Mattaquason, the Monomoyick chief. By the early 1700’s, there were about 50 families living in what was known then as “Monamoy.” Finally, in 1712, the town was incorporated as Chatham, the name taken from a seaport town in England.

Before becoming a resort town, Chatham’s economy centered around fishing, salt works, agriculture, shipbuilding, and, in the 19th century, whaling. After the railroad made its first run in Chatham in 1887, summer vacationers began to travel to this charming seaside town marking the start of the now flourishing tourism industry.

Today, tourism and commercial fishing have replaced the railroad, salt works, and maritime trades. Unlike many beachside towns, vacationers visit Chatham year-round to participate in popular off-season events like First Night on New Year’s Eve, the Maritime Festival, and Christmas-by-the-Sea. Summers are bustling with vacationers enjoying Chatham’s many beaches, fresh seafood restaurants, and quaint downtown shops. Our guests find The Carriage House Inn to be the perfect vacation homebase for enjoying all that our town has to offer throughout the year.

For additional information on Chatham,visit
www.chathamlodging.com or the Chamber of Commerce
website at www.chathamcapecod.org.