The History of
Ocean Edge

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places

Ocean Edge dates to the 1890s, when Samuel Mayo Nickerson and his wife built their lavish family estate and private game preserve. Nickerson grew up on the Cape, but left in 1847 as a young man seeking his fortune in Chicago. There he found his way from the distillery business into banking, making millions along the way and served as president of the First National Bank of Chicago for 25 years. Samuel and his wife, the former Matilda Crosby of Brewster, returned to Brewster and built their summer home in 1890. The 1,800 acre property included the main house, Fieldstone Hall, a carriage house, a windmill and tower used to generate electricity, and a private game preserve which is now Nickerson State Park.

Samuel’s son Roland and his wife, Addie Daniels also from Brewster, occupied the estate and entertained frequently and lavishly; it was not uncommon for the social event of the year to be held at Fieldstone Hall, including visits from President Grover Cleveland. In its heyday, the estate had 22 servants and was a village unto itself. The gardens provided much of the household's food, supplemented by game from its woods and fish from its ponds. But in 1906, Fieldstone Hall burned to the ground, leaving only the foundation; Roland, in ill health, died two weeks later.

In 1907, his widow, Addie, terrified of another fire began reconstruction of the property using fireproof steel reinforced concrete covered by stucco. The property was completed in 1912. This mansion home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, more closely resembles an English country manor with an eclectic blend of Renaissance Revival and Gothic themes. Among its grand features is an intricately carved mahogany and ebony staircase, leaded glass windows, and terraces that look out to the bay. It is no wonder it is extremely popular today as for weddings and special functions.

In 1930, the family donated 800 acres of the game preserve to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Nickerson State Park was constructed. Many of the trails and camp areas were cleared by young men working for the CCC’s during the depression. The estate was sold for $50,000 in 1942 to the La Salette Brothers who used it as a novitiate and then as a seminary. In 1980, Corcoran, Mullins, Jennison, Inc., of South Boston, which also developed Bayside Expo, purchased the property, preserving the estate and developing the resort.

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