Cape Cod Life, Annual Guide 2018 | capecodlife.com

Grand hotels of the past… and present

Cape Cod Life  /  2018 Annual /

Writer: Jack Sheedy

Grand hotels of the past… and present

Cape Cod Life, Annual Guide 2018 | capecodlife.com

Cape Cod Life  /  2018 Annual /

Writer: Jack Sheedy

Grand Hotels of the past and present

Interestingly, Southward bought back the inn from Remillard in 1932, reselling it a few years later. In the 1950s, Southward Inn was known for its dining room, dance floor and entertainment, including jazz. A postcard from that era touted the “finest in food, lodging and entertainment” and listed the inn’s many amenities, including its Colonial Room, lounge, piano bar, patio bar, Carriage Room bar, Fisherman’s bar, Barn terrace, grille, and lobster pool.

The Southward Inn saw ownership changes over the decades leading up to its eventual closure in the 1970s. Today, a bank stands where vacationers dined and danced.

Just down the coast in the neighboring town of Chatham, overlooking Chatham Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, is the elegant Chatham Bars Inn. Opened in 1914 as a hunting lodge for the wealthy, it soon became a sought-after getaway for those looking to enjoy a top-notch vacation by the ocean. All the modern conveniences were provided, as well as unique extras such as fresh and salt water baths, fresh vegetables and dairy from its own nearby farm, and a private pier which provided clientele with easy access to the outer beach.

Like the Belmont, the Chatham Bars Inn was so successful during its first year that it, too, was forced to turn folks away. The Independent reported on August 19, “People from all over the country are seeking summer hospitality at this magnificently-conducted hotel.”

That summer, the newspaper also reported on visits made by locals to the resort, including 60 folks from South Chatham who “availed themselves of the opportunity to visit at the informal opening of the Chatham Bars Inn.” The article raved about how impressed the locals were at “the efficient manner in which they were all treated.” More than one hundred years later, the inn continues to impress.

On Martha’s Vineyard in 1880, the community of Cottage City (now Oak Bluffs) split from its parent town of Edgartown to become incorporated as an independent township. Around that same time, the Wesley House was opened—named, it is believed, for Methodist founder John Wesley—to become one of a number of hotels in Cottage City catering to summer religious camp meeting attendees. During those years, a resident population of roughly 600 people saw that number grow to tens of thousands of visitors looking to participate in meetings or relax by the shore.

Jack Sheedy

Jack Sheedy is a freelance writer and author living in Dennis. His books include "Cape Cod Collected” and "Cape Odd.” He has written for the Barnstable Patriot, its annual Cape Cod history supplement "Summerscape," and The Register newspaper.