Padanaram Harbor now has something else to show for its title of Best Harbor in the United States: A brand new plaque.

On May 10, officials from USHarbors.com made the trek to South Dartmouth to present town officials with a plaque commemorating Padanaram Harbor as the best in the nation.

The title of Best Harbor was decided by voters in an online poll conducted by USHarbors. The contest began in January with a total of 1,300 harbors in the running.

After being narrowed down to a top list of 90 harbors, 560 people claimed the South Dartmouth landmark as the top in the nation.

The running-up harbor in Florence, Oregon received 203 votes, and Lubec, Maine took third place.

It all began with an initial nomination, placed by Dartmouth resident Sue Ann SanSoucy, with an iconic sunset picture of the harbor. She utilized social media to get Dartmouth residents and boaters engaged and bring votes in.

“As a lifelong resident of this beautiful Village and an avid boater, I really wanted to put us on the map nationwide,” SanSoucy said.

Harbormaster Steve Melo noted Padanaram and the town’s waterways are “an essential element” in Dartmouth’s success as an exceptional community and a desirable destination.

“This national distinction will help to highlight the importance our waterfront plays in making our Town unique, viable and attractive to so many people,” he stated.

The plaque presentation was held on Bridge Street and inside the town’s new public maritime center. The 530 square-foot building, public deck, and boat ramp has been under construction since late last year, will open to the public with a ceremony later in May.

It is just one of the new improvements to Padanaram, in addition to a revamped causeway, which reopened in 2018 following a two-year construction project, and shops, restaurants, and more reasons than ever to visit the village.

“This makes a fine feather in the cap for those responsible for the recent revitalization efforts of Padanaram Village,” Melo said.