West Beach, Beverly, Massachusetts
Location
West Beach is a small private beach on the North Shore of Massachusetts located in the City of Beverly, Massachusetts. It is located along West Street, in Beverly Farms. The beach is part of a trip of sandy coastline about 1 mile long extending from a rocky enclave at Lees crossing (near the Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts border)southerly to the Prides Crossing area of Beverly. The governing organization for West Beach has ownership for about 1/4 of the length of this stretch.
Oversight
The beach is managed by a group local community volunteers elected by the organizations membership yearly. The Beach is open to the public in the late fall, winter and early spring. It becomes private, requiring a pass to enter and a sticker to park in the summer months. Passes and stickers can be purchased by residents of Beverly Farms and Prides crossing, thus becoming members of the corporation. People from beyond the bounds of Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing can submit a request for a subscribers pass and sticker allowing access to the beach. There is a limited amount of parking available at the site, there has historically been a waiting list for subscriber parking stickers.
History
West Beach's governing organization has been incorporated since April 21,1852 [1] by the Massachusetts State House of Representatives. The beach and surrounding land was originally deeded to John West in 1666 [2]. Mr. West bequeathed the land to the residents of Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing. Section 3 of the West Beach Corporation by-laws describes the intended use of the beach for: "The members of said corporation may use and occupy said described portions of sea shore, beach and flats for the purpose of gathering drift-stuff and sea weed, and of boating and bathing, as the said premises have heretofore been used and occupied by them and predecessors; and also providing facilities for the enjoyment and beautification of the beach and shore by members; by providing swimming classes for members and their guests; to give courses in safety in the water and small boat handling...."[3] West Beach has a historic past. It is the site for the annual Farms-Prides Fourth of July fireworks display that has occurred for over 100 years. Noted Author, John Updike, who resided locally was a frequent visitor. Seventeenth century author Nathaniel Hawthorne form the nearby city of Salem, Masachusetts visited West Beach as noted by his son [4] . Artist Fitz Henry Lane painted a landscape of the beach in the mid 1800's that sold for $3.85 million at an art auction in 1997. [5]
42°33′42″N 70°48′18″W / 42.56167°N 70.80500°W
See also
References
- ^ [West Beach By Laws Document, 1976, private printing Link]
- ^ [West Beach By Laws Document, 1976, private printing Link]
- ^ [West Beach By Laws Document, 1976, private printing Link]
- ^ Nathaniel Hawthorne and His Wife, Julian Hawthorne Link
- ^ Antiques and Arts Online Link