Download or read book Rise of Tourism on Martha's Vineyard, The written by Thomas Dresser; Foreword by Nancy Gardella, Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and published by Arcadia Publishing. This book was released on 2020 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now known as a resort community and vacation destination, Martha's Vineyard was once a simple fishing and whaling community. From the popularity of the Methodist Campground, founded in 1835, the Vineyard soon blossomed into a summer vacation mecca, welcoming visitors to its quaint villages and scenic seashores. As whaling lost its economic dominance, tourism became the catalyst for a revived prosperity on the Vineyard. President Grant's visit to the Vineyard in 1874 drew national attention and marked the beginning of several presidential visits to the island. By 1900, Oak Bluffs had developed an amusement park atmosphere with the iconic Flying Horses, toboggan slide and grand seaside hotels. Join local historian Tom Dresser as he reveals the island's transformation into a premier tourist destination.