Historical Timeline

3000 BC	Nantucket becomes an island, emerging from a wall of glacial ice, to be visited often by indians.
1659 AD	English arrive. Native population, approx. 3000
1692	Nantucket becomes part of Massachusetts, originally being part of New York
1700's (early)	First Quaker meetings established
1746	Brant Point Lighthouse is built, the second lighthouse built in America.
1763	"Indian sickness" reduced the Native American population to fewer than 200
1776	The Revolutionary War begins, whaling dwindles.
1795	Town's name changes from Sherburne to Nantucket.
1814	Whaling resumes its former prominence. Population approaches 10,000 (about the same as today!)
1818	America's first woman astronomer, Maria Mitchell is born.
1825	The African Meeting House is established, a school and meeting house for Nantucket's African-American population, is established.
1827	The Coffin School, for decendents of Tristan Coffin, is built.
1830's	Nantucket's first hotel, Elisha Starbuck's washington House was opened for business.
1838	Wilburte Friends Meeting House built originally a Quaker school.
1846	The "Great Fire" ravages Nantucket's entire waterfront area.
1847	The Nantucket Atheneum is built, one of the oldest libraries in continuous service today.
1849	Gold fever hits , much of Nantucket's male population heads for California to seek new fortunes.
1869	The last ship outbound from Nantucket insearch of the giant spern whale left - the bark Oak - never to return to her home port.
1870's	Whale fishery ends, population plummets to 3,000. Nantucket begins to establish itself as a tourist spot.
1881	The Nantucket Railroad was put into service.
1934	Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce Founded
1960's	Nantucket emerges as a popular tourist mecca.
1974	Nantucket's first Daffodil Show is held.
2000	Nantucket is named one of America's most endangered places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

back to top