How a quiet Massachusetts fishing village became the crown jewel of Boston summer society

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before it was a cinematic backdrop, this coastal town on Cape Ann transformed from a modest fishing settlement into an exclusive summer retreat for the elite. By leveraging its scenic shoreline and proximity to Boston, the community redefined itself through architecture, eventually adopting its distinctive name to avoid regional confusion.

Originally inhabited by the Agawam people, the area saw its indigenous population decimated by virgin soil epidemics between 1617 and 1619. Following English settlement in 1629 and official incorporation in 1645, the town functioned primarily as a fishing hub for over two centuries. This identity shifted significantly in 1845 when poet Richard Dana constructed a home there, sparking an influx of summer residents from Boston. Over the subsequent fifty years, the coastline became the preferred destination for the city's elite, who commissioned elaborate summer cottages that defined the town's character.

The architectural legacy of this era reached its peak with the construction of Kragsyde in 1885. Designed by Peabody and Stearns for George Nixon Black, the residence was celebrated as the zenith of the Shingle style, a substyle of the Queen Anne movement. Although the house was demolished in 1929, it remains a symbol of the town's Gilded Age transformation. Other notable structures, such as the 1863 Sunnywaters, further cemented the community's reputation as a playground for the wealthy, attracting figures ranging from Michigan senator James McMillan to various influential Boston business families.

The town's modern identity is as much about its name as its history. Long known simply as Manchester, it officially became Manchester-by-the-Sea in 1989 to distinguish itself from the larger city of Manchester, New Hampshire. The change was narrow, passing by a vote of 97 to 95, and was driven by resident Edward Corley. Today, the town balances this historical prestige with its natural geography, including the famous Singing Beach, where the sand is known to squeak underfoot. While it has gained fame as a filming location for movies like the 2016 eponymous drama, its enduring appeal remains rooted in the scenic vista points and coastal preservation that first drew the Boston elite nearly two centuries ago.

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