Our Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast, The Platinum Pebble, is fortunate to be nestled between two of Cape Cod’s prettiest villages, Harwich Port and Dennis Port. After many years of neglect the winds of fortune shifted for the historic seaside village of Dennis Port on Cape Cod, and it has returned to a destination all its own once again.
the back story
A little bit of history: in the 19th century Dennis Port stood tall as a bustling and prosperous Nantucket Sound mercantile seaport with magnificent schooners sailing in and out of the harbor and wharves. Along with its neighbor, West Harwich, Dennis Port was also considered one of the main fishing stations of the Cape. At one time there were close to 400 sea captains living in the township of Dennis with many of them residing directly in Dennis Port itself.
then what happened?
As tourism replaced fishing as the main industry on Cape Cod in the 20th century, Dennis Port was the chic place to see and be seen, with the rich and famous of the day enjoying the sandy beaches and the warm waters on the south side of the Cape. Many considered the Dennis Port beaches of Haigis Beach, Sea Street Beach and Glendon Road Beach to be amongst Cape Cod’s most desirable for swimming and windsurfing. Even Cape Cod’s luxury grande dame Belmont Hotel looked out across the beaches of Dennis Port.
After a period of harder times with businesses moving away, the Dennis Port Revitalization Committee and Summit Realty, successfully lured back businesses and tourists alike to this quiet and historic part of the Cape.
what does it look like now?
Now the local mom and pop shops line the little downtown, such as Buckies Biscotti. Buckies is consistently voted the best bakery and coffee shop in the mid-Cape and has acted as a magnet for tourists to come back to Dennis Port. Other businesses such as Hot Diggity, LaBelle’s General Store, Red Nun Bar & Grill, The Den Cape Cod, Rory’s Market & Kitchen, Jenny Boston Boutiques, Sedona East Gallery and the de Castellane Art Gallery delight both locals and tourists. Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe offers those strolling along the Main Street offers the perfect summer’s day treat.
When you consider that Dennis Port still has its beautiful beaches and is also home to two of Cape Cod’s premier restaurants, The Ocean House and The Oyster Company,to the famous Sundae School Ice Cream and to one of the oldest General Stores on Cape Cod, the village returned to the bustling tourist attraction it was in yesteryear.
In October 2012 a graphic-art covered brick wall in Dennis Port was unveiled and as expected, was the talk of the art community. The Dennis Port Revitalization Committee has engaged acclaimed mural artist Hans de Castellane of Harwich to paint a representation of one of the old schooners that used to dock in Dennis Port. The mural is a direct connection to the ships and Dennis Port’s history.
So when our guest wish to do “just a bit” of exploring and don’t wish to hop in the car, we always suggest a stroll down the little main street in Dennis Port, where you may find big surprises!
Dennis Port is just a few minute walk from The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn. Don’t miss it during your next stay with us!
