Wednesday 15th May 1918

Nantucket Island voted to lift its controversial 12-year ban on motor cars. First famous as an insular whaling community off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Nantucket Island had become one of the US’s most exclusive tourist attractions. The original inhabitants of Nantucket were predictably resistant to the idea of automobiles overrunning their island. While the advent of the motor car didn’t spell disaster for the island then, the fears of early residents may yet become a reality. As Nantucket’s popularity rose, even the year-long waiting list for the car ferry can’t seem to stem the tide of vehicles. The island’s tourist board has attempted to institute an affordable and reliable island shuttle, but holidaymakers in this country want to go wherever their cars will take them.