Editing Wareham, Massachusetts (section)

== History ==
Wareham was first settled in 1678 by Europeans as part of the towns of [[Plymouth, Massachusetts|Plymouth]] and [[Rochester, Massachusetts|Rochester]]. It was officially incorporated in 1739 and named after the town of [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] in England. Because of its geography, Wareham's early industry revolved around shipbuilding and the related industries.  It also served as a resort town, with many smaller resorts scattered around the town, especially in Onset.  Like [[Sandwich, Massachusetts|Sandwich]], its waterways, especially Buttermilk Bay, were considered as possible pathways for the [[Cape Cod Canal]].  Although the canal proper goes through [[Bourne, Massachusetts|Bourne]] and Sandwich, the southern approach to [[Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts|Buzzards Bay]] passes just south of the peninsulas that make up the topography of the town.

Wareham is home of the Tremont Nail Factory, the oldest nail manufacturer in the United States.  The factory was established in 1819.

For years the town was known by its slogan "Gateway to Cape Cod," but in January 2020 adopted a new slogan: "It's Better Before the Bridges."<ref name="CCT2020">{{cite news |last1=Genter |first1=Ethan |title=Wareham distances itself from Cape Cod with new slogan |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20200128/wareham-distances-itself-from-cape-cod-with-new-slogan |access-date=August 1, 2020 |publisher=Cape Cod Times |date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> The intent was to draw attention to the appeal of Wareham as a tourist destination itself, rather than as a conduit to somewhere else.<ref name="CCT2020" />