A BRIEF HISTORY

 

 

It has been suggested that a brief or thumbnail sketch of the background and history of the Saconesset Hills Association, Inc. be compiled, in the belief that most newcomers would be interested and maybe the old-timers, too.  However, it does seem that there should be a preface to such an account, telling something of the history of this part of West Falmouth and Saconesset in particular.

 

For many years, the Bowerman and Gifford families owned most of Saconesset Hills and much additional acreage besides. The first of these families and early settlers were Thomas Bowerman and William Gifford, who came here around 1668 from Sandwich. The original Bowerman home was built about 1678 and is now incorporated into the Saconesset Homestead Museum.

 

Mrs. Arnold Gifford was Virtue Bowerman and was born and lived here all her life in the old Homestead. In 1907, she married Arnold Gifford, thus joining the vast holdings of the two families. 

 

On the southeast side of the Hills is Little Sippewissett Marsh, which has had an interesting career. It had always been a salt marsh and a source of salt hay, which in early years was an important commodity. Mrs. Gifford described it in an article she wrote: "By 1859 a wide ditch called the trunk was dug up in the middle of the marsh. Salt water was prevented from entering by a flume constructed east of the dunes. The Little Marsh was called Fresh Marsh and the hay Sweet Hay. 

 

But by 1890, owners of the marsh land ceased to be interested in keeping the flume in repair, and soon Little Sippewissett became a beautiful fresh water pond. The hurricane of 1938 opened up an outlet to Buzzards Bay, and it then became as it was in the beginning.

 

In the late 1920's, Mr. & Mrs. Gifford decided to tum a large part of their pasture land into real estate development. The land was surveyed; Saconesset Road and a bridge over the railroad tracks were built. For many years, there was a quaint little real estate office at the head of the road. 

 

One of the first sales made was a lot to Mr. Fred Bowman of West Falmouth, a well-known contractor. In 1928 or 1929 he built, for sale, the first house in the development. It was originally called Long View, as there was an uninterrupted view of all Buzzards Bay from it. Having been grazing land for many years, it was devoid of trees. 

 

Due to the 1929 crash and the depression years which followed, development was very slow and, up to 1944, only nine summer homes had been built. Water was supplied by a 2 inch surface pipe and was turned off in October.

 

During these years Cape Cod was infested each year by tent caterpillars and gypsy moths. Between them, they tripped trees of their foliage, thus stunting growth. Finally, in the 1950's, they were brought under control. Trees and shrubs took on new life, and the Hills lost their barren look, and some of us lost our view. 

 

Such was the situation until the end of World War II, when conditions changed. New homes were built, land sold, and by 1950 there was a busy, happy group of newcomers. It was still a community of summer homes, but seasons stretched out much longer due to the laying of a new water main and a year-round water supply. 

 

In the summer of that year, 1950, at a cocktail party at Roy Williams' Bachelor Buttons, it was suggested that an association of property owners be formed. This was done and so began The Saconesset Hills Associates. Mr. Rodney Larcom was chosen the first President at the annual meeting. The following year, 1951, a set of bylaws was drawn up and approved, new officers elected, and the first annual party held at Bachelor Buttons.

 

Business meetings in these early days were quite informal and held in someone's living room or patio. Dues were nominal, but enough to keep the sides of the road cleared in summer and to give to Mrs. Gifford various sums to help pay for road and bridge repairs. 

 

In 1962, Mrs. Virtue Gifford approached the Associates about assuming title and responsibility for Saconesset Road, the railroad bridge, and 800 feet of beach on Buzzards Bay. To do this properly, in November, 1962, Saconesset Hills Associates became Saconesset Hills Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation, chartered by the Commonwealth. Transfer of title and assumption of responsibility of the properties was accomplished in 1963. 

 

The deed to the beach showed a small strip of land on the Woodneck Beach side of the tide water channel. The Falmouth Beach Committee advised they wanted to buy it and add to their beach area. After negotiation, it was sold to the Town of Falmouth in 1964 for $2,400.

 

 In 1964, Mr. Josiah K. Lilly, bought from Mr. Arnold B. Gifford, Virtue's son, all of the unsold land in Saconesset Hills. Surveys were made, new roads built and new restrictions placed on land sales. Most of these lots have been sold and new homes have

been built.

 

And so from a beginning of four homes in 1931, Saconesset Hills has grown to 140 homes, mostly year-round, and approximately 60 percent serve as primary residences.

 

Our organization, by necessity, is a bit more formal, but our living is still relaxed, friendly and enjoyable. Saconesset Hills is a beautiful community. We are proud of it.