The Creation of Falmouth's Inner Harbor (Part 2)

For Part 1 of this series, .

There were several objections raised against the Inner Harbor project; harbor committee members wanted a harbor built between the Old Stone Dock and Salt River, while still others (residents of Falmouth Heights) complained about the removal of the causeway, which was an important land route between Falmouth and the Heights at that time.

However, all these objections failed to stop the project, and in 1907, work began. While this project had the support of both the majority of the town and Goethal's engineering skill behind it, there was little in the way of smooth sailing. The dredge broke down, and its coal supply was lost when it was placed upon a nearby wharf, which then collapsed, causing the destruction of the wharf and the loss of the entire load of coal.

There was also a good deal of legal trouble initially; it got to the point that one Horace S. Crowell, fed up at the state of things, filed a petition for the division of the town. If passed, the “new town” would be home for summer residents, and would also contain the lion's share of the state road that led from Woods Hole to Bourne.

Despite all this and further engineering difficulties, the first boat came through successfully on September 12, 1907.

There was another change brought about by this harbor due to the loss of the Clinton Avenue Causeway, which meant that route to town was lost to Falmouth Heights residents. However, an enterprising Native American woman named Viola took advantage of the situation by setting up a ferryboat service out of her home on the Scranton Avenue side of the harbor. Those desiring transport would have to shout “Viola!” from the shore, and they would be safely taken across in her rowboat for five cents.