Bourne, Massachusetts

About Bourne

Straddling the Cape Cod Canal, Bourne is the gateway to Cape Cod. It’s very convenient to Plymouth and other Southeast Massachusetts attractions, as well as being close to Falmouth and the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. The Cape Cod Canal is a beautiful place for bike riding and boat watching. Bourne is also interesting historically–the Aptucxet Trading Post is the nation’s oldest store. This town borders both Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay, and is a good choice for those interested in beaches with calmer waters, bike riding, and/or a location with easy accessibility to a number of areas.

History

The first trading center in America was built in 1627 in Bourne at the mouth of the river (which is now the west entrance to the Canal) and was named Aptucxet, meaning “little trap by the river”. A replica of this is still in place on the original foundation and open in season. Bourne was incorporated on April 2, 1884; until that time it was a part of Sandwich.

Points of Interest

Cape Cod Canal, Vertical Railroad Bridge, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bournedale Herring Run, Aptucxet Trading Post & Museum, Otis Air Force Base, Mashnee Island, Cape Cod Scenic Railroad, Indian Burial Hill.

Beaches

Scussett Beach & Sagamore Beach, Sagamore; Monument Beach on Buzzards Bay Emmons Rd., Monument Beach; Town Beach, Buzzards Bay.

Area Links

• Town of Bourne
• Bourne Chamber of Commerce
• Bourne Tax Rates
• Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
• Cape Cod Online