Katama facts for kids
Katama (pronounced "kuh-TAY-muh") is a lovely area in the town of Edgartown, Massachusetts. It's located on the south shore of Martha's Vineyard, an island known for its beautiful beaches.
Katama is surrounded by water. To the west is Edgartown Great Pond, and to the east is Katama Bay. This bay separates Katama from another island called Chappaquiddick. The mighty Atlantic Ocean forms its southern border. When you drive south from central Edgartown on Katama Road, the area begins where the road splits. Katama Road goes left, and Herring Creek Road goes right.
The name "Katama" comes from the Wampanoag language. It means "crab-fishing place." The land here is mostly flat. It has sandy soil and not many trees. Some people even call it the "Great Plains" because it's so open.
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A Look Back: Katama's History
Katama has been a popular vacation spot for a long time. People started coming here for summer fun in the late 1800s.
Trains and Resorts
From 1874 to 1896, Katama was the end of the line for the Martha's Vineyard Railroad. A train named Active carried passengers between Oak Bluffs Wharf and the Mattakeeset Lodge in Katama. The Mattakeeset Lodge was a big building right on the shore of Katama Bay. Part of this old lodge, including one of its towers, was later moved. It became a part of the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.
Katama During World War II
During World War II, the open plains of Katama played an important role. They were part of the island's outer defense. Military barracks, which are buildings for soldiers, were built near the beach. These barracks are now where the Winnetu Ocean Resort stands.
There's a sunken concrete strip that runs west from Mattakesett Way. It's about three-quarters of a mile long. You can see it in photos of the Katama Airfield as a line of trees. Soldiers used this spot to fire practice ammunition out over the ocean. The beach was also used for practice by army air squadrons. These squadrons were based at the Martha's Vineyard Airport. Most of the practice bombs were harmless. After the war, people sometimes found old military items. These included brass machine gun casings and barbed wire.
In the summer of 1943, parts of the Third Army camped in Katama. This army was later led by General George Patton. They practiced landing on beaches here. This training helped them get ready for the D-Day landings in Europe. They shipped out to England in December 1943.
Cool Places to See in Katama
Katama has many fun places to visit, especially if you love the outdoors!
South Beach: Sun and Sand
South Beach stretches along the entire southern end of Martha's Vineyard. However, when people say "South Beach," they usually mean a public part of the beach. This section is between Herring Creek Road on the west and Chappaquiddick Island on the east. Another part of the beach is called Norton Point. It runs from Katama Road to Wasque Point on Chappaquiddick. South Beach is an open ocean beach. The waves here can be gentle or quite large and exciting!
Mattakesett: A Historic Spot
Mattakesett is the southernmost part of Katama. It's right next to the beach. The name "Mattakesett" has been used since 1646. More recently, it was linked to a resort built in the 1970s. This resort was named after the original 19th-century Mattakeeset Lodge. That lodge was the last stop for the Martha's Vineyard Railroad. Today, this resort is part of the Winnetu Oceanside Resort. You'll also find "Mattakesett Way" here. It's a street that runs along the east side of Katama Airpark. There's also "Mattakesett Herring Creek." This small creek used to be a place where herring fish would swim. In recent years, some herring have started to return.
Katama Airpark: Where Planes Take Off
The Katama Airpark is a public airport. The town of Edgartown owns it. It has three runways. About 22 flights take off and land here each day. Around four aircraft are based at this airport. During World War II, Martha's Vineyard was used for defense. It was also a training place for gunners and pilots.
Katama General Store: Beach Snacks!
The Katama General Store is on Katama Road. It's a short walk from the historic downtown village of Edgartown. You'll find it just before the road splits on your way to South Beach. Locals call it "KatGen" or "KGS." It's a very popular stop for snacks and drinks when heading to or from the beach.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort: A Great Place to Stay
The Winnetu Oceanside Resort is a modern resort. It's seen as the successor to the old Mattakesett Lodge and the later Mattakesett Resort. The Winnetu is built on over 55 acres of land right along South Beach. Its style reminds visitors of the grand summer resorts from the Mattakeeset era. The Winnetu is also home to The Dunes restaurant. This restaurant continues the tradition of a popular dining spot that was on the same site in the mid-20th century.
Images for kids
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Photo of the "Katama Breach."
