Tom Nevers
A residential area on the southeast coast with a remote, windswept character. Home to the former Navy LORAN station and subject of ongoing redevelopment debate.
History & Overview
Tom Nevers is a quiet residential area on the southeastern coast of Nantucket. Named for an early settler (or, according to some accounts, a Wampanoag individual), the area has long been one of the more remote and less developed parts of the island.
The area gained strategic significance in the mid-20th century when the U.S. Navy established a LORAN (Long Range Navigation) station here. The facility operated for decades before being decommissioned, and the question of what to do with the former military site has been a recurring topic in Nantucket town politics.
Today Tom Nevers is primarily a residential community with a windswept, rural feel. Homes here tend to be more spread out than in Nantucket Town, and the area attracts residents who prefer a quieter, more remote island experience. Tom Nevers Head provides dramatic ocean views from the southeastern bluff.
Key Locations
Tom Nevers Head
The prominent headland at the southeastern tip of the island. Dramatic ocean bluffs with sweeping views of the Atlantic. One of the best spots on Nantucket for watching the sunrise.
Former Navy LORAN Station
A decommissioned military facility that has been the subject of redevelopment debate for years. Various proposals have included housing, recreational facilities, and conservation uses.
How to Stay Involved
- Select Board Meetings — Town-wide policy decisions affecting all of Nantucket.
- Planning Board — Zoning, development, and subdivisions.
- Back to Nantucket Town Page →