Centerville

Centerville, one of the seven charming villages nestled within the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, is a gem on Cape Cod in the United States. Predominantly residential, Centerville boasts a quaint business district and is renowned for its picturesque beaches on the southern side of Barnstable. The village takes pride in its own elementary school and public library, and it cherishes its rich history, encapsulated within the Centerville Historic District and the Centerville Historical Museum.

Within Centerville, MA lies the enchanting neighborhood of Craigville, home to the ever-popular Craigville Beach. Originally named Chequaquet, meaning “pleasant harbor,” Centerville offers more than just scenic beauty. One notable landmark is the award-winning Four Seas Ice Cream shop on South Main Street, near the intersection with Old Stage Road. Another local treasure is the Centerville Pie Company, which gained national fame after being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show’s 2010 “Oprah’s Favorite Things” episode. Moreover, the St. Francis Xavier cemetery on Pine Street is the final resting place of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband, Sargent Shriver.

Centerville also holds a unique place in the world of entertainment. In late June 1993, Jaleel White, famed for his role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters, performed a one-man production of Fiddler on the Roof in front of the Centerville Public Library. Adding to its cultural richness, the American composer Amy Beach often spent her summers in Centerville during the 1920s and 1930s.

The geographical coordinates of Barnstable are 41°39′33″N 70°21′11″W (41.659158, –70.353059), situated roughly midway along the “biceps” of Cape Cod’s “arm.” According to the United States Census Bureau, the town spans a total area of 76.3 square miles (197.7 km²), with 59.8 square miles (154.9 km²) being land and 16.5 square miles (42.8 km²), or 21.66%, being water. Barnstable is bordered by Cape Cod Bay to the north, Nantucket Sound to the south, Sandwich and Mashpee to the west, and Yarmouth to the east. The town lies approximately 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Boston.

Barnstable comprises several villages, though they are not legally defined entities. Between seven and eleven villages are commonly recognized, each with its unique ZIP codes:

– The village of Barnstable (02630), including Cummaquid (02637)

– Centerville (02632)

– Cotuit (02635)

– Hyannis (02601), including Hyannis Port (02647) and West Hyannisport (02672)

– Marstons Mills (02648)

– Osterville (02655)

– West Barnstable (02668)

To the north of Barnstable, the dunes of Sandy Neck stretch along Barnstable Harbor, crowned by the Sandy Neck Light. The central region is dominated by the pines and oaks surrounding Wequaquet Lake. The southern part, where the majority of the population resides, is lined with the beaches of Centerville and Hyannis Harbors. Hyannis stands as the largest village in Barnstable, both in terms of size and population.