Woods Hole, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
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Location in Barnstable County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Barnstable |
| Town | Falmouth |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.93 sq mi (10.19 km2) |
| • Land | 2.13 sq mi (5.53 km2) |
| • Water | 1.80 sq mi (4.66 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 834 |
| • Density | 390.63/sq mi (150.79/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
02543
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| Area code(s) | 508 |
| FIPS code | 25-81245 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0617060 |
Woods Hole is a small village located in the town of Falmouth. It is found in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, in the United States. This village sits at the very southwestern tip of Cape Cod. It is close to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. In 2020, about 834 people lived there.
Woods Hole is famous for its many marine science centers. These include the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological Laboratory. The Woodwell Climate Research Center is also here. The NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center started the scientific community here in 1871. You can also visit the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. A USGS center for coastal and marine geology is also in Woods Hole. It is also home to the Sea Education Association.
The village is also where the United States Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England is located. You can see the Nobska Light lighthouse here. Woods Hole is also the starting point for the Steamship Authority ferry. This ferry connects Cape Cod to the island of Martha's Vineyard.
Contents
History of Woods Hole
Woods Hole has a great natural harbor. This harbor was very important for ships. In the past, it was a busy center for whaling, shipping, and fishing. Today, it is more known for tourism and marine research.
In the late 1800s, the Pacific Guano Company was in Woods Hole. This company made fertilizer from guano. Guano is the waste from seabirds and bats. They brought it from islands far away. After the company closed in 1889, the land became Penzance Point. Rich families from New York and Boston built large summer homes there.
Many important people built homes in Woods Hole. These included bankers and lawyers. The Woods Hole Yacht Club was formed before 1898. The Woods Hole Golf course started in 1899. It was later made bigger to have 18 holes. The Woods Hole Foundation was created in 1976. Famous scientists like Irving Langmuir and Albert Szent-Györgyi also lived here.
What is the Geography of Woods Hole?
Woods Hole is located at the very end of the Falmouth town. It is also at the tip of Cape Cod. The name "Woods Hole" also refers to a strait. A strait is a narrow water passage. This strait separates Cape Cod from the Elizabeth Islands. Boats, yachts, and small ferries use it to travel. They go between Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay.
The strait is known for its very strong current. It can flow as fast as four knots. This makes it exciting for sailors. There are other similar passages nearby. The Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book is published every year. It helps sailors understand the tides and currents. Ferries regularly travel between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard.
Important Landmarks in Woods Hole
Much of Woods Hole is built around a closed harbor called Eel Pond. The Eel Pond Bridge is a special drawbridge. It opens to let boats enter and leave the harbor. It opens at certain times each day.
Nobska Light is a famous lighthouse at Nobska Point. The United States Coast Guard operates it. The house next to the lighthouse is where the Coast Guard commander lives.
Another local landmark is The Knob. It is a rocky area that looks over Buzzards Bay. It is part of a private bird sanctuary.
Woods Hole has a total area of about 10.1 square kilometers (3.9 square miles). About 5.5 square kilometers (2.1 square miles) is land. The rest, about 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles), is water.
Woods Hole Climate
Woods Hole has a moderate climate. Summers are warm and winters are cool. The weather changes with the seasons.
| Climate data for Woods Hole, Falmouth, Massachusetts (1991–2020 normals) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.1 (3.9) |
40.5 (4.7) |
44.7 (7.1) |
54.8 (12.7) |
64.0 (17.8) |
72.4 (22.4) |
79.2 (26.2) |
79.0 (26.1) |
72.8 (22.7) |
62.5 (16.9) |
53.3 (11.8) |
44.7 (7.1) |
58.9 (14.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.1 (0.1) |
33.0 (0.6) |
37.2 (2.9) |
46.9 (8.3) |
56.1 (13.4) |
65.0 (18.3) |
71.8 (22.1) |
71.8 (22.1) |
66.0 (18.9) |
55.8 (13.2) |
46.4 (8.0) |
38.2 (3.4) |
51.7 (10.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.1 (−3.8) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
39.1 (3.9) |
48.1 (8.9) |
57.6 (14.2) |
64.4 (18.0) |
64.5 (18.1) |
59.1 (15.1) |
49.1 (9.5) |
39.6 (4.2) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
44.4 (6.9) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Falmouth Road Race
Every August, thousands of runners come to Woods Hole. They participate in the annual Falmouth Road Race. This race is about 7 miles long. It starts near the Captain Kidd tavern. The route follows the shore of Vineyard Sound. It goes through Falmouth and ends in Falmouth Heights.
Education in Woods Hole
The Woods Hole School is home to the Children's School of Science. This school started in 1913. It is known locally as "CSS" or "Science School." It offers science classes for students aged seven to 16. The classes focus on learning science by observing things. Students often visit local ecosystems. They study organisms in places like the Sippewissett Salt Marsh. The school uses the knowledge of scientists who work in Woods Hole. It teaches both the children of scientists and local families.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution was mentioned in the 1975 movie Jaws. A character named Matt Hooper was a marine biologist. He studied sharks at the institution in the movie. Interestingly, a great white shark was seen near Woods Hole in 2004.
Woods Hole is part of the Falmouth public school district. Students attend Mullen-Hall Elementary and Morse Pond Middle School. They also go to Lawrence Junior High School and Falmouth High School. Some Woods Hole students also attend other schools. These include Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Sturgis Charter Public School, and Falmouth Academy.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 834 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 925 people living in Woods Hole. There were 459 households. About 14.8% of households had children under 18. Many people lived alone. The average age was 48 years old.
Most of the people were White. A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were of Hispanic or Latino background. The average income for a household was about $47,604.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Woods Hole (Massachusetts) para niños
