The original 54-acre (22 ha) district was visually centered on Sandwich Town Hall, Shawme Pond, and the reconstructed Dexter Grist Mill.

[2] When first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, it was roughly bounded by Main, Grove, Water Sts., and Tupper Rd.

Early in its history the dike was built which impounds Shawme Pond, and a grist mill was established there.

It remained an agrarian community, due in part to the lack of a good harbor, until 1825, when glassmaking began to develop as an industry.

There are four cemeteries in the district, including the original burying ground, whose oldest grave dates to 1663.