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Gosnold, Massachusetts | |
---|---|
Town of Gosnold | |
Coordinates: 41°28′54″N70°45′25″W / 41.48167°N 70.75694°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Massachusetts |
County | Dukes |
Settled | 1641 |
Incorporated | March 17, 1864 |
Government | |
• Type | Open town meeting |
Area | |
• Total | 140.2 sq mi (363.0 km2) |
• Land | 13.2 sq mi (34.2 km2) |
• Water | 127.0 sq mi (328.9 km2) |
Elevation | 85 ft (26 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 70 [1] |
• Density | 5/sq mi (2.0/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
ZIP code | 02713 |
Area code | 508 / 774 |
FIPS code | 25-26325 |
GNIS feature ID | 0618290 |
Website | www |
Gosnold is a town that encompasses the Elizabeth Islands in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2020 census, the town population was 70, [1] making it the least populous town in Massachusetts. Most of the residents live in the village of Cuttyhunk, while most of the land in the town is owned by the Forbes family.
The earliest inhabitants of the Elizabeth Islands were the Wampanoag Native Americans. The tribe did not settle permanently on the Elizabeth Islands, but used them in summer for hunting, fishing, and gardening. Occasionally, arrowheads or stone tools are discovered on the islands. The islands' names come from the Wampanoag language.
Bartholomew Gosnold was among the first Europeans to become aware of the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, in 1602. He and his crew attempted to establish a trading post on Cuttyhunk so that they could trade with the natives, the first attempt by Europeans to do so. The trading post was abandoned after only a few weeks, and Gosnold decided to return home. Upon his return to England, the British Crown claimed jurisdiction of the island chain.
Gosnold was first settled in 1641, the year of purchase of the islands by Thomas Mayhew, Sr. The islands were claimed by the Wampanoag until 1658, when the Wampanoag sachem transferred[ clarification needed ] the deed of ownership to Mayhew. Constituting Dukes County, New York since 1683, the Elizabeth Islands, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, were transferred to the newly created Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691. Gosnold was separately incorporated as a municipality in 1864; previously it was a part of the town of Chilmark. [2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 140.2 square miles (363.0 km2), of which 13.2 square miles (34.2 km2) is land and 127.0 square miles (328.9 km2), or 90.59%, is water. [3] Gosnold ranks 272nd out of the 351 communities in the Commonwealth in terms of land area; however, it has the longest distance between points within municipal limits of any town in the Commonwealth. It consists of the Elizabeth Islands, including Nonamesset Island, Uncatena Island, Naushon Island, Pasque Island, Nashawena Island, Penikese Island, Cuttyhunk Island, and several smaller islands. The string of islands extend roughly southwest of the southwestern tip of Falmouth, with the closest island, Nonamesset, being less than one-third of a mile away at its closest point. More than half the population lives on Cuttyhunk, with the majority of the rest living on Naushon.
Cuttyhunk is served by Cuttyhunk Ferry Company from New Bedford. Service is daily in the warm months, and on Monday and Friday in the cooler months. There is also a water taxi service between New Bedford and Cuttyhunk.
Naushon Island is served by a private ferry from Woods Hole. Nonamesset and Uncatena are connected to Naushon Island via foot bridges.
Penikese Island is accessible via a chartered boat for STEM-related school trips.
All other islands in Gosnold do not have regular boat service and require a private vessel to be reached.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1870 | 99 | — |
1880 | 152 | +53.5% |
1890 | 135 | −11.2% |
1900 | 164 | +21.5% |
1910 | 152 | −7.3% |
1920 | 181 | +19.1% |
1930 | 120 | −33.7% |
1940 | 136 | +13.3% |
1950 | 56 | −58.8% |
1960 | 66 | +17.9% |
1970 | 83 | +25.8% |
1980 | 63 | −24.1% |
1990 | 98 | +55.6% |
2000 | 86 | −12.2% |
2010 | 75 | −12.8% |
2020 | 70 | −6.7% |
2022* | 64 | −8.6% |
* = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] |
As of the census [11] of 2020, there were 70 people and 26 households residing in the town. The population density was 5.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 218 housing units at an average density of 16.5 per square mile (6.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 61 (87.14%) White, 3 (4.29%) Hispanic or Latino, 3 (4.29%) African Americans, Native Americans, and 5 (7.14%) from two or more races. The census did not report any Asians, or Pacific Islanders, and reported one person as Some Other Race.
In the town, the population was made up entirely of adults. 36.7% who were 65 years of age or older.
According to the 2010 Census, Gosnold now has the lowest population density of any town in the Commonwealth. The title was previously held by Mount Washington at the southwest corner of Massachusetts.
Gosnold was first in a 2008 ranking of all Massachusetts communities in terms of total value of real estate per resident. [12]
On the national level, Gosnold is a part of Massachusetts's 9th congressional district, and is currently represented by Democrat Bill Keating. Massachusetts is currently represented in the United States Senate by senior Senator (Democrat) Elizabeth Warren and junior Senator (Democrat) Ed Markey.
On the state level, Gosnold is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket district, which includes all of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as a portion of Falmouth. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a portion of the Cape and Islands district, which includes all of Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and most of Barnstable County (with the exception of Bourne, Sandwich, and Falmouth). [13] All of Dukes County is patrolled by the Fifth (Oak Bluffs) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police. [14]
Gosnold is governed on the local level by the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a board of selectmen. Due to its geographic isolation and small population, the town has at times asked for a waiver from the Commonwealth from anti-nepotism laws. [15]
Registered Voters and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2022 [16] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of Voters | Percentage | |||
Unenrolled | 74 | 66.07% | |||
Democratic | 20 | 17.86% | |||
Republican | 17 | 15.18% | |||
Total | 112 | 100% |
Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 68.3%56 | 26.8% 22 | 4.9% 4 |
2016 | 50.7%36 | 38.0% 27 | 7.4% 5 |
2012 | 56.3%49 | 41.4% 36 | 2.3% 2 |
2008 | 65.0%52 | 32.5% 26 | 2.5% 2 |
2004 | 53.3%41 | 44.2% 34 | 2.6% 2 |
2000 | 48.2%39 | 40.7% 33 | 11.1% 9 |
1996 | 50.6%46 | 23.1% 21 | 13.2% 12 |
1992 | 40.4%42 | 28.9% 30 | 30.8% 32 |
1988 | 48.5% 50 | 50.5%52 | 1.0% 1 |
1984 | 29.1% 23 | 70.9%56 | 2.2% 0 |
1980 | 23.7% 18 | 46.1%35 | 30.1% 23 |
1976 | 23.0% 17 | 68.9%51 | 5.4% 4 |
1972 | 16.4% 10 | 77.1%47 | 2.2% 0 |
Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 73.6%39 | 24.5% 13 | 1.9% 1 |
2018 | 23.2% 13 | 76.8%43 | 0.0% 0 |
2014 | 43.5% 20 | 52.2%24 | 2.2% 1 |
2010 | 41.2% 28 | 50.0%34 | 8.8% 6 |
2006 | 52.5%31 | 44.1% 26 | 3.4% 2 |
2002 | 40.0% 20 | 54.0%27 | 6.0% 3 |
1998 | 38.5% 25 | 50.8%33 | 4.6% 3 |
1994 | 23.9% 17 | 73.2%52 | 2.8% 2 |
1990 | 39.3% 33 | 56.0%47 | 3.6% 3 |
1986 | 71.2%42 | 27.1% 16 | 0.0% 0 |
1982 | 44.3% 27 | 49.2%30 | 6.6% 4 |
1978 | 33.3% 16 | 64.6%31 | 2.1% 1 |
1974 | 31.9% 15 | 63.8%30 | 2.1% 1 |
1970 | 11.1% 5 | 86.7%39 | 0.0% 0 |
The town has one schoolhouse, Cuttyhunk Elementary School. As of 2020, the school has no students. [18] However, the town hopes to use the school as a STEM resource center for mainland schools to visit.
Penikese Island is home to The Penikese School. It operated as a private school for troubled boys until 2011. [19] The school then became a substance abuse treatment center for a short time before converting into an educational facility for field trips. [20]
Nantucket is an island about 30 miles (48 km) south from Cape Cod. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the Town and County of Nantucket, a combined county/town government in the state of Massachusetts. Nantucket is the most southeastern town in both Massachusetts and the New England region.
Barnstable County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 228,996. Its county seat is Barnstable. The county consists of Cape Cod and associated islands.
Dukes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,600, making it the second-least populous county in Massachusetts. Its county seat is Edgartown.
Mashpee is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, on Cape Cod. The population was 15,060 as of 2020. The town is the site of the headquarters and most members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, one of two federally recognized Wampanoag groups.
Aquinnah is a town located on the western end of Martha's Vineyard island, Massachusetts. From 1870 to 1997, the town was incorporated as Gay Head. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 439. Aquinnah is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and natural serenity, as well as its historical importance to the native Wampanoag people. In 1965, Gay Head Cliffs were designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.
Chilmark is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,212 at the 2020 census. The fishing village of Menemsha is located on the western side of the town along its border with the town of Aquinnah. Chilmark had the highest median home sale price of any town or city in Massachusetts in 2013.
Edgartown is a town on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States, for which it is the county seat. The town's population was 5,168 at the 2020 census.
Oak Bluffs is a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,341 at the 2020 United States Census. It is one of the island's principal points of arrival for summer tourists, and is noted for its "gingerbread cottages" and other well-preserved mid- to late-nineteenth-century buildings. The town has been a historically important center of African American culture since the eighteenth century.
Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,815 at the 2020 census.
West Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,555 at the 2020 census. Along with Chilmark and Aquinnah, West Tisbury forms "Up-Island" Martha's Vineyard.
Falmouth is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 32,517 at the 2020 census, making Falmouth the second-largest municipality on Cape Cod after Barnstable. The terminal for the Steamship Authority ferries to Martha's Vineyard is located in the village of Woods Hole in Falmouth. Woods Hole also contains several scientific organizations such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), the Woodwell Climate Research Center, NOAA's Woods Hole Science Aquarium, and the scientific institutions' various museums.
Penikese Island is a 75-acre (0.117 sq mi) island off the coast of Massachusetts, United States, in Buzzards Bay. It is one of the Elizabeth Islands, which make up the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts. Penikese is located near the west end of the Elizabeth island chain.
Naushon Island is the largest of the Elizabeth Islands in southeastern Massachusetts. It is part of the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts, and is currently owned by the Forbes family. As of the 2000 census, the island had a permanent population of 30 people.
The Elizabeth Islands are a chain of small islands extending southwest from the southern coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the United States. They are located at the outer edge of Buzzards Bay, north of Martha's Vineyard, from which they are separated by Vineyard Sound, and constitute the town of Gosnold in Dukes County, Massachusetts.
Cuttyhunk Island is the outermost of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts. A small outpost for the harvesting of sassafras was occupied for a few weeks in 1602, arguably making it the first English settlement in New England. Cuttyhunk is located between Buzzards Bay to the north and Vineyard Sound to the south. Penikese Island and Nashawena Island are located to the north and east respectively.
Uncatena Island is one of the Elizabeth Islands of Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the most northerly of the Elizabeth Islands and lies just off the northernmost point of Naushon Island. Uncatena has a land area of 0.492 km², and was uninhabited as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Town of Gosnold.
Veckatimest Island is one of the Elizabeth Islands, part of the town of Gosnold in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. It used to be known as "East Buck." The island has a land area of 0.0675 square kilometres and was uninhabited as of the 2000 census.
Nashawena Island is the second largest of the Elizabeth Islands of Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. It lies between Cuttyhunk Island to the west and Pasque Island to the east. The island has a land area of 7.076 square kilometres and an official permanent population of 2 persons as of the 2000 U.S. Census. The island is part of the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts. Nashawena is a Wampanoag word meaning "middle island". Rock Island and Baret Island are two small islands located north of Nashawena.
The Tarpaulin Cove Light is a historic lighthouse on Naushon Island, one of the Elizabeth Islands of southern Massachusetts. It is located in the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts. Built on the site of a light station first established privately in the 18th century, the current tower dates from 1891. A keeper's house built at the same time has not survived. The light is 78 feet (24 m) above Mean High Water, and its white light is visible for 9 nautical miles.
Massachusetts House of Representatives' Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket district in the United States is one of 160 legislative districts included in the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court. It covers Dukes County, Nantucket County, and part of Barnstable County. Since 2017, Dylan A. Fernandes of the Democratic Party has represented the district. Fernandes is running unopposed in the 2020 Massachusetts general election.
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