Provincetown's Historic Floaters

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of the blue plaque that is found on many Provincetown houses? Throughout Provincetown, but mostly in the West End, you will find antique homes that bear a blue and white ceramic tile that depicts a house on a boat.

These homes are known as Floaters. They were built beginning in 1818 on the peninsula that we know as Long Point. Many of today’s visitors are not aware that at one time, a settlement existed on Long Point. There was a thriving community, with a Salt Works being the primary industry. The Light House was built in 1826 and there were windmills, a store, a school, boat landings, and a total of 200 people that lived in 38 houses.

When a large salt deposit was found in Syracuse NY, it essentially put the Long Point Salt Works out of business and eventually in the 1850’s, the settlement was abandoned and the families moved to the mainland. Wood was a precious resource at the time, and rather than just leave their homes, the settlers brought their houses with them by floating them over on rafts. They were placed on foundations, and many still stand today.