http://www.orleansmarealestate.com -- Tour Orleans, MA neighborhoods, condominium developments, subdivisions, schools, landmarks, recreational areas, and town offices.
Orleans, Massachusetts is a resort community on the outer Cape. The town was first settled by Nicholas Snow and his family in 1642. Settlers had purchased rights to the town from Mattaguason, sachem of the Manamoyick Indians.
The Colonial economy of Orleans was primarily agricultural, with staple crops including corn, rye, wheat, and vegetables. In the 18th century commercial fishing and shellfishing supplemented local incomes and residents worked on herring boats and went after whales. Fishing in Orleans declined as competition from larger boats and larger ports grew, but the town soon emerged as a market center for other communities.
Small businesses like the Mayo Duck Farm - which produced 50,000 ducklings in 1918 - were welcomed by the town, but the major modern change in Orleans was spurred by the impact of summer development. Now primarily a scenic resort community, Orleans today enjoys a quiet seaside location, a wealth of historic architecture and renewed commercial growth along Route 6. For other town tours visit http://www.virtualhomes.com . For towns in MA visit http://www.ma-virtualhomes.com . For MA relocation information go to http://www.relocationma.com . For a MA MLS map search visit http://www.virtualhomesmls.com .
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