Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is small Victorian city and summer colony in northeastern Martha's Vineyard, which is located off the coast of Cape Cod.
The first English that came to Oak Bluffs came in 1642. Oak Bluffs was settled by the Native Americans years before the English even arrived.
The first time Oak Bluffs was not established until August 1835 by a group of Methodists that came to build their own community. The Methodists pitched wood framed tents and built cottages in what is now Gingerbread Square, Ocean Park, and Trinity Park. The most famous cottage was that of Bishop Gilbert Haven as visited by President Grant in 1874. Soon Christians from all over America came to Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs became a summer colony.
The Methodist Church and Tabernacle was built in the center of what is now Gingerbread Square. Today the "Martha's Vineyard Campmeeting Association" cottage is the head of the Martha's Vineyard Methodist Community. It still holds the name of the Campground headquarters.
Gingerbread Square is a large square of Victorian Gingerbread homes from the 19th century campsite and summer colony. They revolve around the Tabernacle and the Church at the heart of the square. Trim, spires, domes, unique color schemes, and more make Gingerbread Square an architectural haven.
As the Methodist Campsite, businesses grew and a thousand tents and cottages sprung up as visitors poured in from all over. A popular pastime was to relax and rock the day away in rocking chairs on the porches. In 1880 Oak Bluffs was incorporated as Cottage City. In 1907 it was re-incorporated as Oak Bluffs.
The Cottage Museum in Trinity Park exhibits the History of Oak Bluffs and common objects from cottages like rocking chairs and carpets.
The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest running carousel in America. It is across the street from the Steamship Authority. It first operated on Coney Island in 1876 but in 1884 it was moved to a former barn in Oak Bluffs. It is complete with an arcade and a mini store. A single ticket costs $1.50 and $10 for eight tickets
A memorial stands near the bus stop. A Civil War soldier is standing atop a pedestal that reads "Erected in honor of the Grand Army of the Republic by Charles Strahan, Co B 21 Virginia Reg." It was originally painted in a color scheme which resembled that of the cottages. But in 1980 the Oak Bluffs City Council had it repainted in the confederate color in honor of Charles Strahan, who moved to the island after the American Civil War.
Next to the Bus stop bench is a list of all the Oak Bluffs people who served in the Armed Forces engraved in stone.