West Chop Club Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Chop Club Historic District
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West Chop Club
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| Location | Tisbury, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | Tallant, Hugh |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style, Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001104 |
| Added to NRHP | October 18, 2007 |
The West Chop Club Historic District is a special area in Tisbury, Massachusetts. It is located on the island of Martha's Vineyard. This district is a great example of a summer resort community. It was carefully planned in the late 1800s. The area is found around Iroquois Avenue. It covers the northern tip of West Chop. This is a peninsula that separates Vineyard Sound from Vineyard Haven Harbor. The West Chop Land Company developed this area in the 1880s. Today, the West Chop Land Trust owns the land. The private West Chop Club manages it. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Contents
The Story of West Chop Club
How West Chop Became a Resort
For a long time, the West Chop area of Martha's Vineyard was mostly farmland. This continued into the 1800s. A single owner held most of the land. In 1817, the West Chop Light lighthouse was built there. Later, in 1827, a Methodist summer camp meeting took place near the lighthouse.
Things started to change in the 1870s. Summer resorts became popular on the island. An early attempt to build a resort failed in the 1870s. But in the 1880s, the West Chop Land Company began to develop the area.
Building a Summer Community
The West Chop Land Company created narrow, winding roads. They built a wharf, which is like a dock for boats. They also made a beach area for everyone to use. The company sold plots of land. People bought these plots to build their own summer cottages.
In 1892, the company built the West Chop Inn. They also built a clubhouse and cottages to rent out. To add to the fun, they built two tennis courts. These courts were for their guests to enjoy.
Growth and Change Over Time
By 1900, the resort community was growing. It had two hotels, a post office, and a grocery store. There were also many places for recreation. The West Chop Land Company went out of business in 1911.
The people who owned houses in the community decided to work together. They formed the West Chop Land Trust. This Trust bought the properties from the Land Company. Later, in the 1960s, the private West Chop Club was formed. Its job was to manage the properties owned by the Trust.
What Makes the District Special?
The West Chop Club Historic District was recognized in 2007. It covers about 17 acres. The district includes five important buildings and four structures. These show what the community was like long ago.
Important Buildings in the District
- The Cedars: This is a large building with a unique "Shingle-style" look. It is located at Main and Iroquois.
- The Cottage: This is a simple, rectangular building. It is also built in the Shingle style. It sits right next to The Cedars.
- The Casino: This is a large, two-story building. It is located across from the West Chop Inn.
- The West Chop Inn: This big building is on Iroquois Street. It has a T-shape and is also in the Shingle-style.
- The West Chop Post Office: This is a white, one-and-a-half-story building. It used to have its own special zip code (02573).
Other Key Structures
- The "Big Pier": This pier was built in 1888. It stretches out into the Vineyard Sound.
- The Jetty: This structure was built in the early 1900s. It separates Vineyard Haven Harbor from Vineyard Sound. It marks the eastern edge of the club's waterfront.
- Two clay tennis courts: These courts were built around 1911. They are located next to the West Chop Inn.
Newer Features in the Area
The district also includes some newer items that are not part of the historic listing:
- Two modern concrete tennis courts
- A playground
- A flagpole (which replaced older wooden ones) and two benches nearby
