Nantucket Official Guide | Page 39

Nantucket Trivia

• At the peak of the whaling era, 88 ships
from Nantucket sailed around the world,
and the island was considered the Whaling
Capital of the World.

• Old North Wharf was built in 1774,
Straight Wharf in 1723, Old South Wharf
in 1770, Swain’s (Commercial) Wharf in
1831 and Steamboat Wharf in 1772.

• Benjamin Franklin’s mother, Abiah, was
born on Nantucket.

• Macy’s familiar red star logo was inspired
by Rowland H. Macy’s forearm tattoo from
his whaling days. He found major success
in New York, and his store became known
for its innovative policy of clearly marking
prices. He also employed the first in-store
Santa Claus.

• The horse fountain near the Pacific Club on
Main Street was donated to the community
by William Hadwen Starbuck in 1885.
• Brant Point Light is the site of the second
oldest lighthouse built in America – in
1746. Only Boston’s Beacon Light is older.
• The highest point on island is Folger Hill at
109 feet above sea level, followed by Altar
Rock at 108 feet.
• Endangered species include the piping
plover, least tern and osprey. Endangered
plant life for which Nantucket is famous
include: Russian olive, winterberry,
hawthorne tree, rosa rugosa, the tupelo
tree, pink lady’s slipper and Indian pipes.
• From May to October, bluefish and striped
bass abound in Nantucket waters, making
the island an ideal spot for sport fishing.

• Wampanoag Indian Words:
Nantucket – Far Away Island
(originally “Nantocket”)
Boco-Chico – Near or next to the
harbor
Coatue – At the pine woods
Madaket – Bad land
Pocomo – A clear or round fishing
place
Polpis – Peaceful
Quaise – The end or point
Quidnet – At the point
Sankaty – Cool hill
Siasconset – Near the great bone
Squam – At the top of the rock
Tuckernuck – Round cake or bread
(originally Petockneck)
Wannacomet – Beautiful field
Wauwinet – Witness my hand

©Courtesy of Nantucket Historical Association

• Nantucket once had 36 candle making
factories.

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