The area that would become the town of Scituate was first permanently settled by a group from Plymouth and new arrivals from the County of Kent in England in 1627. The name “Scituate” came from an Indian word which the early settlers understood as Satuit, which means "Cold Brook", and referred to the small stream flowing into the harbor. These first settlers platted a village a mile back from the coast behind one of the cliffs and established Kent Street, allotting space on the street to the various householders forming the Colony. The population remained under the control of the General Court of Plymouth until 1636 when Scituate had enough people to incorporate into a Town.
When the boundaries of Scituate were being decided upon by the General Court of Plymouth, they decided to reserve a section of the northerly part of the Town entirely for Messrs. Hatherly, Beauchamp and Shirley. By 1646, Mr. Hatherly purchased the entire tract from the other grantees and divided it into thirty shares, reserving one fourth of them for himself and sold the remaining for 180 pounds to a company which became known as the Conihasset Partners. The Conihasset Partners functioned as its own government over their new land in disregard of the fact that they were legally part of the Town of Scituate. They continued to rule over this land until 1767 when their affairs reverted to the town.
Scituate went through a series of growth spurts and population decreases as the town’s boundaries were redrawn over the years. In 1717, a large portion of the original grant separated off from the town of Scituate and incorporated into the town of Hanover. Part of the Marshfield area rejoined the town in 1788 and in1849, another portion of Scituate broke off and became the town of South Scituate, later changing their name to Norwell. After this last great change, the town became as it is today containing 10,000 acres including several miles of shoreline and beaches.
Scituate grew slowly over its first two centuries of existence due to the lack of decent roads and distance from large cities. This all changed with the arrival of the railroad in 1871, bringing more people to the town. With the advent of the automobile and the building of better roads more settlers arrived, bringing the population up to approximately 2,000. The population began to boom and it was in the 1960’s that Scituate would receive its biggest population increase, bringing the total number of residents up to between eleven and twelve thousand.
Dedicated to serving all of Scituate’s residents’ recreational needs, the Scituate Recreation Department provides top quality programs, services and facilities. Enjoy over 300 classes and events provided by the Department as you take in the community spirit and strong involvement that Scituate offers. Whether you’re looking to spend a day at the beach or taking advantage of one of the many facilities that Scituate has to offer, the Scituate Recreation Department has offerings for everyone in the family. Please visit their official website to see a more complete list of programs, services and facilities that will help to improve your quality of life.
The scenic town of Scituate is home to a vast assortment of magnificent attractions and activities that draw visitors from all over. Whether you’re looking to play a challenging round of golf or are looking for a romantic dinner for two, Scituate has got you covered. Enjoy a rich variety of arts, culture, history, and exciting outdoor activities found throughout Scituate and redefine family fun. Please feel free to explore the links provide below and realize the adventures that await you.
Scituate is host to a variety of exceptional events throughout the year! From festivals and community events to excellent live music and theatre productions, there’s something for people of all ages and interests. Please visit the links provided below to discover just a few of these family-friendly events and activities that await you in the upcoming months.
Scituate Public Schools are dedicated to providing a comprehensive education for all students, fostering the students’ reading, writing, calculating, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and creative expression. The mission of Scituate Public Schools is, in addition to providing a comprehensive education, to focus on students’ cognitive, emotional, physical and social development. Scituate Public Schools is made up of four elementary schools, one intermediate and one high school that are committed to develop students into contributing members of their communities and of the multicultural, global society. Please visit Scituate Public Schools official website to learn more.
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