History
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On November 20, 1620, the Pilgrims first dropped the Mayflower’s anchor in the new world in the harbor at what is now Provincetown rather than at Plymouth, where they later settled, and just offshore they drafted and signed the “Mayflower Compact,” a pioneering document of democratic government. Incorporated in 1727, Provincetown developed into an important fishing and whaling center in the 1780’s, with fish processing and salt-making contributing to the economy. In the 1840’s cod, mackerel, haddock, and halibut brought prosperity, and Provincetown had the Cape’s largest fishing fleet. In this century, Provincetown serves primarily as a resort and center for the arts. Since 1910, the Pilgrim Monument has been Provincetown’s most prominent landmark, and at 253 feet (77 meters) it is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States.
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Provincetown, Massachusetts · United States
