This is White Horse Beach on a perfect late summer weekday. Parts of this beach are private and parts are public. In any case, there was nobody there but me to enjoy it. That's both an advantage and disadvantage of being retired.
Same general view but after walking a little ways up toward Manomet Point.
I always enjoy this arcing view of both White Horse and Priscilla Beaches in the distance.
It was much different a few seasons back during a big storm.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and your photos. You should know, though, that this isn't a public section of White Horse Beach! Those of us that live on Taylor Ave. behind the dunes and also the condos on the beach have deeded beach rights. That said, we all know how well enforced those are! I thought you would be interested in this piece of information. I recently read in a history book about Plymouth and Manomet that the area on Point Road on the hill was owned by the federal government until the 1940's if I remember correctly. They were using it as a coast guard station and the land was not for sale. I thought that was also an interesting tidbit. Those of us in our offices appreciate the updates from White Horse Beach, and we are very envious!
Michele, Thanks for your comment and the additional history info. I have edited and re-published this post to be more accurate. I think I will spend some time in the town records to get smarter on where the lines are drawn. I know there is some public area accessible near the corner of Hilltop and Taylor and I thought also north of the stairway where I made this image. I know from my 15 years of being down here that the subject is confusing on a good day and volatile on any day. Thanks again for keeping me honest.
ReplyDeleteThe public area begins at that entrance at Hilltop. I know some of the beach associations are much more knowledgeable than I am!
ReplyDeleteMichele, thanks again for your comment. My trip yesterday to town hall confirmed the same. The area north of Hilltop to Bartlett Brook has some public use beach as does the area north of the brook up to about the point where Taylor Ave curves into White Horse Road. The areas north of that point belong to either Priscilla Beach private owners or their association and, south of Hilltop are privately titled or association also - although there is some shared use area south of the condos near the boat ramp. What complicates matters in my view is the Colonial Ordinances of 1641-47 which gave ownership rights to the low water mark instead of high water, but with three specific exceptions for public use: fishing, fowling, and navigation. There may also be specific easements in individual titles but that requires individual title searches of all the property titles. Here's a great link from the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries to some good information about this subject: http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/beach.html . I think I'll just usually stay north of Bartlett Brook where I am already a member of the White Horse Beach Association. I wonder if any of the associations have reciprocity agreements with each other for walking through? (Caveat: I am not an attorney and this is not legal advice or guidance for anyone). I am still confused - but less so. Glad you enjoy reading the blog.
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