Orleans, Massachusetts:
(Derived from various state and town sources*)
The Town of Orleans, incorporated in 1797, is a resort community on the outer Cape whose European history begins in 1642 with the first permanent settlement established by Nicholas Snow and his family. Settlers had purchased rights to the town from Mattaguason, sachem of
the Manamoyick Indians. The Colonial economy was built on agriculture, especially corn, rye and wheat, plus the growing of hay and vegetables. In the 18th century commercial fishing and shell fishing supplemented local incomes and residents worked on herring boats and went after whales. By the 19th century, coastal packets from Boston were being serviced and several windmills created power resources in the town, but the heaviest reliance by residents was on cod and mackerel fishing. Life long residents recall that in those days the very old and the very young farmed, while all the able-bodied men fished. Fishing in Orleans declined as competition from larger boats and larger ports grew, but the town had established a commercial importance on the Cape as a market center for other communities, that continues into the 20th century. Small businesses like the Mayo Duck Farm that produced 50,000 ducklings in 1918 were welcomed by the town, but the major modern change in Orleans was spurred by the impact of summer development. This resort home development, which accelerated between 1915 and 1940 and still continues, has had the greatest effect on the town and in turn has supported increasing commercial development along Route 6.

Pleasant Bay

J. Young Windmill

Orleans Inn

Orleans at a glance ...

Population (year round)	Tax rates ( 2000 )	Map (of Orleans)	Town Hall (phone #)
6,790	$8.46	Click Here	(508) 240-3700

Location

Southeastern Massachusetts, at the elbow of Cape Cod. Bordered by Eastham on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Chatham and Harwich on the south, and Brewster and Cape Cod Bay on the west. Orleans is about 22 miles from Hyannis; 88 miles southeast of Boston; 93 miles east of Providence, Rhode Island; and 270 miles from New York City.

Transportation

Cape Cod Area Transit Information Line :
An automated line for information on bus and steamship schedules, and fares. (508) 771-6191

Cape Cod Airports:

Bus and Trolley service:

• Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority
  (Seasonal trolley service in Cape towns) 1-800-352-7155
• B-Bus Service
  (ride by appointment serving the entire Cape) 1-800-352-7155
• Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway
  (with routes , Plymouth, Brockton, Plymouth, Hyannis, Provincetown,Boston & Logan Airport) 508-746-0378

Ferry Service:

• Hy-Line
  (Hyannis, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard) 508-778-2600
• Island Queen
  (Falmouth and Martha's Vineyard) 508-548-4800
• Steamship Authority
  (Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard; Hyannis and Nantucket, passenger and automobiles). 508-477-8600

Railroad

• Cape Cod Central Railroad (scenic and excursion) 508-771- 3800

Public Schools

• Supt. Of Schools: 508-255-8800 78 Eldredge Pkwy
• Elementary School: 508-255-0380 Eldredge Pkwy
• Nauset High School: 508-255-1505 100 Cable Rd.N.Eastham
• Cape Cod Cape Cod Region Voc Tech - 09-12
• Snow Library, 508-240-3760 Main St. Orleans

Recreational Facilities

• Nauset Beach
  (1,920 acres) hiking, nature observing, four wheeling, hiking, hunting, nature observing, picnicking, salt water swimming, sight seeing, walking/jogging
• Town Watershed
  (640 acres) hiking US Government Land (68 acres) hiking
• Orleans Conservation Trust
  (58 acres) nature observing
• Sipson's Is. Meadow
  (37 acres) boating-non motor, hiking, hunting, motor boating, nature observing
• Orleans Elementary School
  (22 acres) baseball/softball, basketball, general play
• Infirmary Lot
  (20 acres) hiking
• Orleans Conservation Trust
  (20 acres) nature observing
• Beaches for information on some great Cape Cod beaches click HERE
• Golf for information on Cape Cod golf courses click HERE

Health Facilities

• Hospitals
• Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis (508) 771-1800
• Falmouth Hospital 100 Ter Heun Dr. 548-5300)
• Long Term Care
  Orleans Convalescent & Retirement Home
• Rest Homes
  Physical Therapy & Rehab. Center
  

Places of Worship

• Christian Science Reading Room,
  Brewster Cross Road-Main Street Orleans: 255-1948
• Church of the Holy Spirit,
  Monument Road: 255-0433
• Community of Jesus,
  Rock Harbor Road: 255-1094
• Federated Church,
  Main Street: 255-3060
• First Church of Christ, Scientist,  
  Route 6A, Main Street & Foster Road: 896-5250
• St. Joan of Arc,
  Canal Road: 255-0170
• United Methodist,
  Main Street: 255-0622

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Want info on other Cape Cod towns?
[Barnstable]  [Bourne]  [Brewster]   [Chatham]  [Dennis]   [Eastham]  [Falmouth]  [Harwich]  [Mashpee]   [Martha's Vineyard]   [Nantucket]  [Orleans]   [Provincetown]   [Sandwich]  [Truro]  [Wellfleet]  [Yarmouth]  

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*Sources include; Comm of Massachusetts, including the Dept. of Education, Department of Environment Management, and Dept.of Public Health. Information is deemed accurate but is not guaranteed.