Wellfleet in Barnstable County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Hamblen Park
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 8, 2023
1. Hamblen Park Marker
At the 1931 town meeting Wellfleet voted to "accept as a gift from Mr. Arthur T. Hopkins and family the land known as Hamblen Island or Cannon Hill, to be held by the Town of Wellfleet forever as a public park."
The hill overlooks Duck Creek, which by 1830 was the principal harbor in Wellfleet. Commercial traffic in Duck Creek declined steadily in the 1860s as clipper ships gave way to metal ships and steam power.
By 1870, the construction of a railroad dike across the head of Duck Creek impeded tidal flow and began the harbor's transformation to the marsh and tidal flats we see today.
Wellfleet Community Preservation Act Funds contributed to the restoration of Hamblen Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 41° 56.263′ N, 70° 1.71′ W. Marker is in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, in Barnstable County. It is on East Commercial Street close to Whits Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 85 E Commercial St, Wellfleet MA 02667, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Timothy Daniels House (a few steps from this marker); Duck Creek Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph Station
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Transatlantic Triumph (was approx. 3.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Marconi Wireless Station (was approx. 3.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Story of Hamblen Park. (Submitted on May 9, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 8, 2023
2. Hamblen Park Marker
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 8, 2023
3. Uncle Tims Bridge
The footbridge crosses the salt marsh to Hamblen Island. Hamblen Park Marker can be seen on the far right.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
