White Horse Beach, Massachusetts

In the summer of 1941, local teenagers painted the first flag and went on to join the armed forces after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December of that year.

Further inland was St. Catherine's Chapel (which had fallen into disrepair, was sold to an individual with local ties who razed the structure and directed the landscaping of the property with grass and trees to serve as a small park) and White Horse Cemetery, which dates back to the early 18th century.

The Post Office, originally inside the General Store, leases a space in the former White Horse Bowling Alley that included pool tables, and pinball machines.

This early celebration of Independence Day extends back to the 1800s, when residents burned scrap and driftwood on the beach.

Also in recent years, the celebrations have experienced a soft "crackdown by police and fire departments" to deter the historically massive bonfires and fireworks;[1] "NO Public Parking or Restroom Facilities" are officially advertised on location for this event to deter non-residents from attending.

Many cottages from that era still stand to this day, though some have been destroyed by storms and a great many have been renovated to year-round homes, partly due to the Boston real estate market.