A beautiful high headland overlooking Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, East Chop once hosted a semaphore station to relay news of arriving ships to the mainland and still hosts a lighthouse along with handsome, sprawling summer homes built in the Shingle or Queen Anne style and facing out to sea. Small streets run from the Chop back to the Highlands, an area of small parks and modest homes.

 

East Chop in the News

Swinging in the Years: East Chop Tennis Club Celebrates 100 Years

Town May Take Ownership of Fragile East Chop Bluff

Beacon of History

East Chop Bungalow Turns 100

Eroding Bluff Threatens Scenic Drive Along East Chop; Repairs Are Needed

 

Still Feeling Spry at the Century Mark

At 100 years old, Bob Penney likes to spend his days relaxing , listening to audiobooks at the East Chop home he bought in 1952.

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MVC Approves Shearer Cottage Expansion Plan

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to approve an expansion project for Shearer Cottage, the historic Oak Bluffs inn that has been central to the long tradition of African Americans vacationing on the Vineyard.

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Expansion Plans Aired for Historic Shearer Cottage In Oak Bluffs

History was on display at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday night when a public hearing opened on a major renovation plan for Shearer Cottage, the richly storied Oak Bluffs inn.

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MVC Allows Demolition of Old House in East Chop Highlands

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission cleared the way late last week for the demolition of a historic house overlooking East Chop Drive, unanimously approving the plan to raze 19 Mill Square Road.

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MVC Allows Cottage Demolition in Oak Bluffs

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission approved a project to tear down a historic summer cottage in East Chop, weighing the benefits of responsible rebuilding against the loss of history.

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MVC Reviews Historic House Demolition

A plan to raze and rebuild a historic house on East Chop Drive will be decided soon by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, after a public hearing closed Thursday night on the demolition project.

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Former Racquet Club to House Women at Risk of Homelessness

After establishing a group home in Vineyard Haven for formerly homeless men, Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard is preparing to launch a similar property for women.

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Tower of History: Renovations Begin at East Chop Light
Louisa Hufstader

Repairs are under way this fall at the East Chop Lighthouse, the historic cast-iron tower that sits on Telegraph Hill, its beacon flashing green-green-green to guide mariners on their way around the chop.

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East Chop Town Column: August 25
Rick Herrick

This will be my last column. After 11 years of writing the East Chop column, I am running out of people to profile and things to say.

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East Chop Town Column: August 18
Rick Herrick

I ran into Ben Cornell at his parents’ 60th birthday party. The last time I had seen him was at his wedding to Adriana three years ago. I learned that a lot of amazing things have been going on in their lives. Eighteen months ago they moved to Karen, Kenya, a suburb of the capitol city of Nairobi.

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