Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod, settled in 1637 and incorporated in 1639, with a Latin motto that translates to "after so many shipwrecks, a haven." Its early economy centered on farming and coastal fishing before the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, founded in 1825, turned the town into a 19th-century industrial center; the Sandwich Glass Museum still preserves that legacy today.
The village keeps its colonial character intact, with Hoxie House standing as the oldest surviving home on Cape Cod and the Cape Cod Canal marking its western edge. Six Cape Cod Bay beaches, Heritage Museums & Gardens, and a walkable historic center give Sandwich a quieter, small-town feel that appeals to buyers seeking year-round charm over resort bustle.