Mattapoisett
| Mattapoisett | |||
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| Location in Massachusetts | |||
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| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | 1750 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| State : | Massachusetts | ||
| County : | Plymouth County | ||
| Coordinates : | 41 ° 39 ′ N , 70 ° 49 ′ W | ||
| Time zone : | Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 ) | ||
| Residents : | 6,268 (as of: 2000) | ||
| Population density : | 146.8 inhabitants per km 2 | ||
| Area : | 60.4 km 2 (approx. 23 mi 2 ) of which 42.7 km 2 (approx. 16 mi 2 ) is land |
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| Height : | 8 m | ||
| Postal code : | 02739 | ||
| Area code : | +1 508, 774 | ||
| FIPS : | 25-39450 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 0619471 | ||
| Website : | www.mattapoisett.net | ||
Mattapoisett is a small port town on the east coast of Massachusetts with an area of 60.4 km² and about 6300 inhabitants (as of 2000).
geography
Massapoisetts is just under 20 m above sea level. The landscape is typical of New England , very wooded and green. The cityscape is characterized by wide avenues and wooden houses in colonial style.
history
Mattapoisett was founded as a borough of Rochester around 1750 and became an independent town in 1857. The first trading posts for ship supplies in the current urban area of Mattapoisett existed as early as 1680. The reason for the establishment of a town in the Mattapoisett area were the fish-rich waters off the coast and the fish-rich Mattapoisett River .
The place became known in the 19th century for its excellent shipbuilders. Whaling ships from Mattapoisett achieved world fame, between 1740 and 1860 more than 400 sailing ships left the city's shipyards. The best-known were probably the Whaler Wanderer , the most beautiful whaling ship of its time and the last sailing ship that was launched as a whaler in 1878 and the Acushnet , on which Herman Melville sailed. With the advent of steamers and the decline of whale hunting, the shipyards lost their orders and the city was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, the upper classes of New York and Boston discovered the quaint little town as an ideal place for their summer residences, which is still the main source of income for the city.