ABOUT
Harwich was first settled by Native Americans over ten thousand years ago. They found game in the hardwood forests, fish in the fresh and salt waters and shellfish around the shores. The soil allowed them to grow crops of vegetables like corn and squashes which provided them with a varied diet. White settlers from the Plymouth colony arrived in the 165cis and colonized the area that is how Harwich and Brewster. They supported their families by farming and fishing. The forests were cut for fuel and lumber until by 1900 the Cape was reduced to bare fields as evidenced by photographs taken at that time. In 1803 the north parish of Harwich separated from the south parish and became the Town of Brewster.

Several small commercial areas developed, often near the churches, rather than one main one. It remains that way today with seven villages, East, West, North and South Harwich, Harwich Center, Harwich Port and Pleasant Lake. Today some are more obvious than others but locals know them all. Around 1890 Portuguese from the Cape Verde Islands began to settle in Harwich and 6&summer people" began to purchase land on which to build cottages. These people contributed to the growth and vitality of Harwich. Today the residents of Harwich consist of the descendants of the original settlers, Cape Verdeans and retirees. This number swells each summer to include "summer folks" and tourists.

Harwich produced a number of prominent sea captains; the artists C.D. Cahoon, whose work is now prized; and renowned bird-carver Elmer Crowell. A collection of Crowell's work may be seen during business hours at the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Route 28, Harwich Port.

THE HARWICHES
Half-way between the Cape Cod Canal and Provincetown, Harwich, with its numerous 'Villages, multitude of beaches, variety of places to eat and sleep, and numerous activities, should fulfill anyone's idea of a vacation. The area offers fresh and saltwater beaches, picturesque harbors, fishing, boating, hiking and biking trails, NCAA baseball, golf, band concerts, theatre, arts and crafts, antique and gift shops. There are cottages, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels an satisfy every taste. Eating establishment from take-out to gourmet dining.

BEACHES
Harwich is blessed with a multitude of swimming beaches. All but one saltwater beach are on Nantucket Sound. The other is on Pleasant Bay. These waters are generally  calmer than those of the Atlantic Ocean Cod Bay beaches. There are also six freshwater ponds. Lifeguards are at so from the end of June through the summer stickers are required for most beach parking facilities. Red River Beach i beach which has a daily parking fee The fee is paid at the beach entrance b INFORMATION

INFORMATION