Some of its communities date back hundreds of years, but did you ever wonder where Cape Cod communities got their names? It turns out the names are as unique as the history of the region. While some of the town names can be traced back to English origins, there are also some tied to prominent individuals.

First settled in the 1600s, the Town of Sandwich is the oldest on Cape Cod. It’s said the town gets its name from the port town of Sandwich in England.

When it comes to the Mid Cape, the Town of Barnstable can also be tied to England. It’s similar in name to a place in Devon, England. As the Cape’s second oldest town, it is also the largest in terms of population.

The Town of Chatham also gets its name from England, although it was

Photo: Slack12

The Town of Falmouth is getting closer to achieving Green Community status. Just last month the Select Board adopted an energy reduction plan.

That was the last step necessary before the state could be considered for designation as a Green Community. Designated Green Communities are able to receive grant funds for future green projects and energy reducing projects from the Massachusetts Green Community program.

The initial grant Falmouth could be eligible for is $190,000, but there could also be some funds available to the town in the future, as well. It’s taken years to get to this point.

Falmouth had already achieved four other criteria required as part of a Green Community designation. This included adopting a stretch code to

For the enjoyment of an eco-friendly, planned community, make your own plans to explore the many offerings of Redbrook in Plymouth. This newer construction community will eventually make way for around 1,200 residential units, built up in several neighborhoods surrounding a village green.

While Redbrook itself is about 1,400 acres in size, only around a quarter of the site is actually being developed. The rest will stay as a natural area, providing plenty of room for residents to enjoy things like fishing, kayaking, swimming, biking and hiking.

This gives you the option to spend your free time exploring the woods and meadows, the rivers or the ponds of Redbrook. Promoted as a reimagined, New England village, Redbrook also consists of a Meeting

Photo: Bill IIott

For a dazzling winter hike near Boston, consider taking a stroll along the scenic trails of South Shore. The New York Times recently named World’s End in Hingham one of the nation’s most worthwhile places to escape the city this winter.

World’s End is a more than 250-acre park and conservation area. It’s described as the kind of place to go for a winter stroll, or even to cross-country ski or snowshoe when the weather cooperates.

The Times specifically recommends the view from Planter’s Hill. Formed by glaciers, the spoon-shaped hills of World’s End jut out into Hingham Harbor.

While World’s End remains a natural spot today, that wasn’t always the plan. Several ideas were hatched to develop the property over the years, but

With a flourishing cultural and arts scene, Dennis Port is commonly billed as the “Cultural Center of Cape Cod”. It’s really no wonder, as Dennis Port is home to the Cape Cod Museum of Art.

The museum has been around for decades and is surrounded by a Sculpture Garden. Part of the Cape Cod Center for the Arts, you’ll find several galleries, a film screening room and a museum shop on the property.

The Town of Dennis also boasts the Cape Playhouse Center for the Arts. The summer theater has been in operation for nearly a century and has attracted the likes of such entertainers as Betty White, Julie Andrews, Ginger Rogers and Henry Fonda over the years and decades.

About a decade ago, one woman’s vision marked the beginning of an art colony in

With dozens of beaches, hundreds of charming shops and some beautiful homes, it’s hard to point out just one great location on the Cape. However, some of the most exclusive areas of Cape Cod are appreciated for their extreme luxury and privacy.

Chatham

Chatham is said to offer one of the Cape’s most scenic golf courses. Eastward Ho! Country Club dates back to the 1920s and is known today for its ultra-exclusive membership. It’s not easy to become a member and the dress code at the golf club is strictly enforced.

For luxury dining and hospitality, Chatham Bars Inn actually features four restaurants and two private dining rooms. It also includes a private beach with cabanas, daily boat shuttles, swimming and more. 

West Yarmouth

West

Tom Brady’s Brookline estate has recently been sold to an unnamed buyer for $32.5M. The current quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers previously listed the home for more than $39 million, before eventually lowering the price to just under $34 million.

 Amid a slowdown in the ultra-high-end housing market this past spring, the home was pulled off the market altogether in May. More recently, it was back up for sale once again in an off-market listing, which means terms of the sale and specifics of the property are only being shared with prequalified buyers and brokers.

 The wooded, five-acre property includes a five-bedroom home, as well as a guest house. It also comes with a yoga studio, a gym, a massage room and a wine room. The property

Photo: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

With its scenic beaches and historic homes, there’s plenty to enjoy about living on Boston’s South Shore. We easily found five great reasons to consider making a move.

Housing

You’ll find a diverse mix of housing on Boston’s South Shore. From sprawling oceanfront mansions to summer cottages, cozy bungalows and condos, you’ll find a lot of variety. In Plymouth, choose from Colonials and farmhouses, or modern ranch-style homes, condos and apartments.

Not far from Boston, Milton provides your choice of a stately single-family home with plenty of acreage or newly renovated condos. You’ll also find a full range of housing options in Quincy, from cozy condos on the waterfront to multi-million-dollar

Photo: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Whether you’re lured to Cape Cod by the promise of heading to the beach or hitting the water, the Gateway to the Cape begins when you reach the towns of Bourne and Sandwich. Both places are full of history and full of charm.

Bourne is the very first town you come to when passing over the Sagamore Bridge, Bourne Bridge or the railroad bridge, but it actually used to be a part of Sandwich. That’s the second town you come to when traveling Route 6.

As the oldest town on the Cape, Sandwich first became a town in the 1600s. Known to this day for its once popular glass-making industry, the town’s claim to fame all these years later is still the Sandwich Glass Factory.

You’ll also find a number of bed

Photo: Bill Damon

As we round out the year and prepare for 2021, several Boston neighborhoods are gearing up for some big changes. While all are unique in their own ways, there are five Boston neighborhoods you’ll definitely want to watch.

East Boston

Development is in full force in East Boston. Most of it is residential and has been happening over the last couple of years. A big reason to watch East Boston is Suffolk Downs. The former racetrack is expected to be transformed into a new mixed-use space, right off the Blue Line.

South End

A popular neighborhood for young professionals, millions of square feet of new commercial and residential space has already come to the South End, and it’s not over yet. Recent projects including a new