by Mike Shaw
Earlier this year, I continued my odyssey seeking out historic sites around the Cape and ventured down the road from Chatham to Dennis in search of the iconic Scargo Tower. Located right off Route 6A/Old King’s Highway – along the aptly named Scargo Hill Road – the stone tower sits on a quiet hilltop offering panoramic views of Scargo Lake and Cape Cod Bay.
The Tower is also just a few minutes drive from one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots in Dennis: Grumpy’s Restaurant. For those who haven’t been, please treat yourself before or after your Scargo Tower visit!
According to the Dennis Historical Society: “Scargo Tower began as a tourist observatory in 1874. Made of wood, it was destroyed in a gale two years later. Rebuilt again of wood, it burned in 1900. The present cobblestone tower opened in 1901. The 30 foot high tower is located atop the highest hill in the mid-Cape. Indian legends tell of the making of both Scargo Hill and Scargo Lake. Views may be seen of the entire Lower Cape to Provincetown, and as far west as Plymouth. The Tower is owned and operated by the Town of Dennis.”
A plaque adorns the Tower, reading: “This tower and hilltop were given to the town in 1929 as a memorial to Charles Tobey (1831-1888) and Francis Bassett Tobey (1833-1913), loyal sons of the village of Dennis where their Tobey ancestors settled in 1678.”
The Cape Cod Times reported last July that, beginning in November 2018, the Tower was closed for 18 months due to necessary maintenance. While repairs have been completed, the Tower’s interior remains closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.
As we eagerly await the reopening of our favorite places, both residents and visitors of Dennis will undoubtedly look forward to once again ascending Scargo Tower and enjoying the spectacular views across the horizon.