10 Iconic Locations From "Jaws" and What They Look Like Today

From the Brody House to Quint's Shack, we tracked down the real-life locations of several memorable properties.

By: Emily Nonko

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Photo By: iStock/Whitepointer

Photo By: Then & Now Movie Locations; Google Maps

Photo By: YouTube; Google Maps

Photo By: Then & Now Movie Locations; Google Maps

Find Out Where “Jaws” Was Filmed

More than forty summers ago — way back in 1974 — "Jaws" took moviegoers by storm. The work of up-and-coming director Steven Spielberg, dealing with pneumatically-powered prop sharks and seasick actors, came to be seen as the first-ever summer blockbuster. Though the film takes place in the fictional town of Amity Island in New York, it was actually filmed throughout Martha's Vineyard, Mass. (Long Island was considered "too busy" — the filmmakers wanted an island that would feel eerily empty to filmgoers.) Over the years, Martha's Vineyard has become a popular summer destination for the rich and famous, but remnants of the iconic film remain. Browse our gallery to find out where the “Jaws” movie cast and crew filmed your favorite scenes, plus see what those spots look like today.

The Brody House | 265 East Chop Drive | Vineyard Haven, Mass.

Martin Brody, Amity's chief of police, emerges as the hero in the first film and its sequel, "Jaws 2." His charming oceanside house, featured in the film, was torn down to the first floor in real life in 2002. The newly-built residence, the shingled home pictured below, is pretty much unrecognizable from Brody's home in the film.

Amity Police Department | 33 North Summer Street | Edgartown, Mass.

Brody types up the first "shark attack" report at the Police Department. The department interiors were actually filmed inside this historic clapboard Martha's Vineyard home. The property is also believed to be one of the production offices for the film.

The Amity Gazette | South Water Street | Edgartown, Mass.

Just a few blocks away from the police department you'll find the Amity Gazette, home to the local newspaper pushing out news of shark attacks. Today, the building still stands with residences inside.

Vaughn Realty | 1 Water Street | Edgartown, Mass.

This real estate office makes a few appearances throughout the film, in relation to Mayor Larry Vaughn, a character who ends up being partly responsible for the deaths of swimmers to great white sharks terrorizing Amity waters. The building would also serve as the Amity Drug Store in "Jaws: The Revenge." These days, it's a shop called Jack Wills.

Amity Hardware | South Water Street & Main Street | Edgartown, Mass.

Police Chief Brody marches to Amity Hardware to set up "No Swimming" signs, which had never been put on the beach before and needed to be built and painted with supplies from the shop. In "Jaws 2," it’s the same spot where Brody chases an ambulance. The building still stands with retail today.

Amity Hardware's Interior | 55 Main Street | Edgartown, Mass.

The shots inside the hardware store were filmed at a different location, also on Main Street. "Jaws" fans can see it for themselves, as it's the current-day locale of the Port Hunter, a seafood restaurant and entertainment venue.

Amity Town Hall | 70 Main Street | Edgartown, Mass.

The town hall in the film is the actual town hall for Edgartown, the Martha's Vineyard hamlet where much of the film was shot. It's still up and running today, though the interior has been significantly spiffed up since 1974.

The Beach | Joseph Sylvia State Beach | Oak Bluffs, Mass.

Of course, this is where it all goes down — the beach where Alex Kinter gets chomped by a shark. If you dare, you can swim at the exact same location today, only it's known as Joseph Sylvia State Beach.

The Bridge | American Legion Memorial Bridge

One of the crucial "Jaws" locations is the bridge spanning between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. It's actually known in real life as the Jaws Bridge (though it's officially the American Legion Memorial Bridge), and is an ever-popular spot to take a dive into the ocean.

Quint's Shack | Menemsha Port | Chilmark, Mass.

Quint's Shack is where the infamous Orca set off to sea to capture the shark. (It's also the only building that production erected in Martha's Vineyard for filming.) Bartholomew Marion Quint, the grizzled, seasoned shark hunter, gets devoured in the film. But it's easy to forget given the charming port you can stroll through today.