Wareham (Typically pronounced Wear-ham.) is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335.

For geographic and demographic information about specific parts of the town of Wareham, please see the articles about Onset, Massachusetts, Wareham Center, Massachusetts, West Wareham, Massachusetts, and Weweantic, Massachusetts.

History
Wareham was first settled in 1678 as part of the towns of Plymouth and Rochester. It was officially incorporated in 1739 and named for the town of Wareham, Dorset. Because of its geography, Wareham's early industry revolved around...

Wareham (Typically pronounced Wear-ham.) is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335.

For geographic and demographic information about specific parts of the town of Wareham, please see the articles about Onset, Massachusetts, Wareham Center, Massachusetts, West Wareham, Massachusetts, and Weweantic, Massachusetts.

History
Wareham was first settled in 1678 as part of the towns of Plymouth and Rochester. It was officially incorporated in 1739 and named for the town of Wareham, Dorset. 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, its waterways, especially Buttermilk Bay, were considered as possible pathways for the Cape Cod Canal. Although the Canal proper goes through Bourne and Sandwich, the southern approach to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts passes just south of the peninsulas that make up the topography of the town. Today, the town is mostly residential, and still has a strong summer tourism industry. It is also known today for its retail centers, along Routes 6 and 28. The newest of these, Wareham Crossings, is almost complete; apart from a few large stores, the shopping center, located at the intersection of Route 28 and Interstate 195, is now open, further spreading the retail area of the town.

The Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League play at Clem Spillane Field at Wareham High School every summer from mid-June to early August.

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