Exploring Some of Cape Cod’s Oldest Sites

Cape Cod was one of the first parts of the United States to be inhabited by European settlers, with the towns of Barnstable, Sandwich, and Yarmouth all incorporated in 1639. The history goes back even further, however, as the crew of the Mayflower first sighted the Cape on November 9, 1620, and anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor on November 11. These settlers explored other areas of Cape Cod before finally moving to Plymouth Harbor.

From Plymouth, the pilgrims moved north and south, heading back onto the Cape and gradually expanding eastward. As you might expect, this history means there are some incredibly old sites all over Cape Cod, many of which are still standing from these initial settlements.

 

Wing Fort Home – The Oldest House

East Sandwich is home to Wing Fort House, a building constructed in 1641 that is believed to be the oldest on Cape Cod. Stephen Wing bought the property sometime around 1646, and his family and descendants continued to live in the home until 1942 when it was sold to the Wing Family of America, Inc. As a result, the house is the oldest home continuously owned by the same family in all of New England.

Today, the building is a small museum at 63 Spring Hill Road, just off Route 6A. You can stop in for a visit between the middle of June and the middle of September on Tuesday through Saturday for a look at what life was like for some of the Cape’s first European settlers. There is a nominal entry fee charged at the door.

 

Eastham Windmill – The Oldest Windmill

Cape Cod’s oldest windmill wasn’t even built on the Cape, as the Eastham Windmill was constructed in Plymouth by Thomas Paine in 1680. The windmill actually stayed in Plymouth for the first 90 years of its existence before being moved to Truro in 1770 and, finally, Paine's hometown of Eastham in 1793. The Eastham Windmill was moved to its current location near the Eastham Public Library and Eastham Town Hall in 1808.

Every year, there is a local festival celebrating the Eastham Windmill. It takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day and involves a parade, race, talent show, car show, and raffle, along with live performers and food vendors. The festival is fun for the whole family, so if you're looking for a time to see the Cape's oldest windmill, this is it.

 

Sturgis Library – The Oldest Library and Church

The Sturgis Library has a unique distinction in that it is both the oldest library and the oldest church on Cape Cod. In 1644, Reverend John Lothrop, the founder of Barnstable, built his house on what is now Main Street, part of the Old King's Highway, in the area. The original house was later converted into a library, making it the oldest library building in the United States.

There's more to the story, however, as Lothrop used the front room of the house for church services for the West Parish of Barnstable, making it America's oldest religious building. In addition, the West Parish of Barnstable is also recognized as the world's oldest congregational church, dating back to 1616 in England. The congregation currently meets at a grand building constructed in 1717 at 2049 Meetinghouse Way in West Barnstable, which is also worth checking out if you're into old buildings and exploring some of the Cape’s rich history.

 

Old Jail – The Oldest Wooden Jail

The country's oldest wooden jail sits at 3353 Main Street, which is part of Route 6A, in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The Old Jail was originally constructed sometime around 1690, held about six prisoners at a time, and was in service until about 1820. At some point, a barn was added to the original structure, but the jail from removed from the barn in 1968 and moved to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum where it sits today.

It is said that the jail is quite haunted, possibly by the ghost of Goody Hallett, also known as the Witch of Wellfleet. You can even tour the building with members of the Cape and Islands Paranormal Research Society, who will tell you the history and provide the equipment needed to, hopefully, witness a paranormal sighting.

 

Highland Lighthouse – The Oldest Lighthouse

The oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod, the Highland Light, also happens to be its tallest. The original wooden lighthouse at this location on the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro was erected in 1797, although it was replaced in 1857 by the current 66-foot brick version. The Highland Light is owned by the National Park Service and remains in operation to this day, warning ships that they are getting close to the shores of the Cape.

You can climb the lighthouse’s stairs or visit the keeper's shop between the middle of April and the middle of October, with extended operating hours during the summer months.

 

Learning Cape Cod’s History

Living on Cape Cod means being surrounded by history at every turn. Once you reside here, you won’t be able to escape the historic sites and venues that are seemingly everywhere, not that you’d want to get away from them.

Visiting some of the oldest buildings and sites on Cape Cod will give you an entirely new appreciation of what it means to be a resident of the Cape by allowing you to experience firsthand the lives of the people who first inhabited this wonderful part of the world.