From the moment you drive into this small coastal town, one thing becomes instantly clear: every single house is painted the same crisp, clean shade of white. It’s not just the cottages along the main road or the beachfront villas — even the smallest garden sheds and boathouses match perfectly. At first glance, it feels like a charming design choice or maybe even a quirky local trend. But residents here will tell you… it’s anything but random.
The story goes back more than seventy years, to a time when this town was little more than a fishing village. Back then, the houses were painted in whatever color the owners could afford. With supplies limited, shades of weathered blue, faded green, and sun-bleached red dotted the streets. That all changed after a particularly harsh summer storm rolled in off the coast.
Winds over 80 mph tore through the area, damaging rooftops, shutters, and siding. Saltwater spray covered everything, eating away at the paint. Repairs were expensive, and many families simply didn’t have the money to restore their homes to their original colors. That’s when a group of locals came together with a simple idea: if they pooled their resources, they could buy paint in bulk and save money. The cheapest and most readily available color? White.
It turned out to be more than just a cost-saving choice. Residents quickly noticed that the white paint reflected the sun’s intense rays, keeping their homes cooler in the scorching summer heat. The coastal humidity, which made darker colors fade or peel within a year, barely seemed to touch the bright white siding. Maintenance costs dropped dramatically.
Soon, it became an unspoken rule — and later, an official town ordinance — that every building would be painted white. Newcomers were told about the tradition as soon as they bought property. Some resisted at first, wanting to make their homes stand out. But over time, even they came to see the practical benefits.
Today, the white houses have become the town’s signature. Tourists are struck by the uniform beauty, the way the sunlight dances across rows of pristine porches and freshly painted shutters. Photographers travel from all over just to capture the striking contrast between the white walls and the deep blue sea in the background.
But ask a local, and they’ll tell you there’s another reason they keep the tradition alive — one that has nothing to do with heat or saltwater. After the storm decades ago, when neighbors painted their homes together, the community grew closer. Families helped each other climb ladders, share tools, and finish jobs before the next rain. Painting day became an annual event, followed by a big shared meal on the beach.
Even now, once a year, the residents pick a weekend to refresh their homes. You’ll see people laughing on ladders, children with paint on their clothes, and the smell of barbecue drifting through the streets. The white paint is more than a color — it’s a symbol of resilience, unity, and pride.
So yes, every house in this town is white. And while it started as a practical solution, it’s now a living reminder of the strength of a community that stands together — storm after storm, year after year.
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