The Harbor View Hotel. A Historic Martha’s Vineyard Landmark.

During the height of whaling industry in the 1830s and 1840s, Edgartown became the Vineyard's wealthiest town. Whaling came to a virtual halt within seven years of the Civil War, and lacking hotels the town was completely unprepared for the sudden and resolute shift to becoming a resort destination. It was at this point that Edgartown made a concerted effort to become an important summer resort. A number of the citizens, with financial assistance from the town, built a railroad from the steamboat wharf in Cottage City to the Mattakesett lodge at Katama.

In 1891, Edgartown investors were making a second attempt by opening an impressive hostelry, The Harbor View Hotel on Starbuck’s Neck over looking the harbor entrance. The hotel was located at the end of North Water Street, where the ranks of the whaling captain’s homes came to an end.

Dr. Thomas J. Walker, the towns leading physician and Reverend Luther T. Townsend led the new project. Both men bought 10 shares each capitalizing towards a $5,000 investment.

The shingle-style hotel opened in July 1891. The view from the broad hotel porch was spectaular. From most windows you could see the busy harbor and the island of Chappaquiddick. From the rear of the hotel, one could see Vineyard Sound and Cottage City (oak bluffs) in the distance.

The grand opening of the hotel was delayed until July 23rd 1891, when some four hundred invitations were issued to islanders who came along to mingle with the hotel guests for an evening they would never forget. That night the verandas were hung with Chinese lanterns, the parlors fancily decorated and the entire hotel was brightly illuminated. Mattie Josephine Atkins of Denver provided the entertainment. The string quartette of the Fitchburg Band provided music for dancing, which went on until late at night.

In 1893, depression hit the island of Matha’s Vineyard. The nation was beginning a steep financial downturn. Several buildings including two hotels in the Cottage City area burned down to the ground.

The first few years for the Harbor View Hotel weren’t easy. In 1895, another new manager was hired, and after two years in his position he bought out the owners of the hotel. Within a decade, he had doubled the Harbor View’s size. He also added tennis courts and turned the hotel into a profitable venture.

Scout Real Estate Capital, a Nantucket-based real estate company acquired the Harbor View Hotel in December 2006. 

Scout has begun a multi-year restoration program for the property, and is introducing new resort amenities designed to ensure the Harbor View Hotel & Resort remains the “Grande Dame” of Vineyard Hotels.