In 1672, during his explorations of the archipelago, Malcolm Victor Alamour set foot for the first time on what would later become Eastedge Islet — a small island where he would go on to found the village of Aldmoor Point. It was on an isolated beach that he stopped and decided to name the spot Massachusetts Beach, in tribute to his home state of Massachusetts, from which he hailed. This gesture symbolized not only his bond with his land of origin, but also his desire to make this place the foundation for a future community.
Around this beach, Alamour began to develop his settlement. Upon discovering precious natural resources — notably mineral deposits — he quickly grasped the potential of Eastedge Islet. In 1673, he sought a passage through the Utopic Hills, which separated the islet from Port Utopia, and in 1674 he officially founded the village of Aldmoor Point, situated close to Massachusetts Beach. The beach thus became the nerve center of the first exchanges and community life on the island.
At one time, a jetty was built on Massachusetts Beach, allowing small vessels to dock safely. This installation facilitated trade and movement between the islet and Port Utopia. Unfortunately, after the many storms that have battered the region over the years, no trace of the jetty remains today — it was gradually swallowed by the waves.
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Fun fact:
In the early days of the village, an old fisherman set up a small signal fire on Massachusetts Beach to guide boats returning through the fog. This modest flame, a precursor to the lighthouse, helped avert several shipwrecks and kept burning for many years, until the Grinslade Lighthouse took over.
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