The Beachcomber
was originally built as a U.S. Lifesaving
Station in 1897. The
original
stations operated until the late 40's when they were abandoned. Several
were razed,
or moved to different locations.
In 1953
Russell Gallagher, who had summered at Cahoon Hollow Beach as a child
bought
the old station and converted it into a small Inn, and dubbed it the Beach-
comber.(one
of the rooms inside is finished with driftwood and nautical bric a brac,
that was
"combed" off the beach). Mr. Gallagher operated the Beachcomber for
25
years and
in 1978, sold the business to the current owners.
It is located
high in the dunes on Cahoon Hollow Beach, (70' above mean high tide)
and offers
a panoramic view of the Atlantic. (This brings us to our assertion
of being
"Cape
Cods only oceanfront restaurant, and club".) In
1960 the U.S. Government
bought
and took by eminent domain, the area which is now
the Cape Cod National
Seashore
Park. Included in this area was 3/5 of the Town of Wellfleet,
including the
entire
coastline on the eastern side of Provincetown,
Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham,
Orleans,
and Chatham. By virtue of a "Grandfather" clause the Beachcomber
was / is
allowed
to remain within the Seashore as a privately held commercial property.
(one
of 11 at
the time. So, even though there are several restaurants,
and other businesses
on the
water ( either Nantucket Sound, or Cape Cod Bay ), the Beachcomber
remains
as truly
the only Oceanfront (Atlantic side) restaurant on Cape Cod.
Put the
Beachcomber on your list of places to visit
when on
Cape Cod...... you won't be disappointed !!
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