Chatham

Chatham sits at the southeastern tip of Cape Cod and is bordered by three bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, Nantucket Sound, and Pleasant Bay. The area has an average elevation of about 14 meters above sea level.

The original settlement, called Monomoit, was founded in 1664 and received its current name Chatham upon official incorporation in 1712. This renaming marked a turning point in the town's development.

The name comes from an English family that settled there early on. The harbor and surrounding bays shape how residents connect with their surroundings today.

The town is accessible by car via Routes 28 and 137, with a small airport available for private aircraft. Keep in mind that summer brings significantly more visitors, making parking and public areas busier.

An inconspicuous hill called Great Height, rising 131 feet (40 meters), has long served sailors as an orientation point. Its role in navigation makes it an overlooked marker in the area's maritime history.

Location: Barnstable County

Inception: 1665

Elevation above the sea: 14 m

Website: http://chatham-ma.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.68194,-69.96028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:39