Eastham in Barnstable County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Outermost House

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, September 14, 2016

1. The Outermost House Marker

Inscription.
Author and naturalist Henry Beston came to this shore in September 1927. On the dunes about a mile and a half to your right he built a cottage with two rooms and a fireplace. Here he lived a solitary year in the company of the ocean. His nearest neighbors were the Coast Guardsmen on the hill behind you.

As the seasons unfolded, Beston recorded his encounters with the waves, the winds, and the wild creatures of the beach and dunes. The resulting book, “The Outermost House,” has become a classic chronicle of the rhythms of nature on the outer Cape. Even today Beston’s descriptions seem as enduring as the elements.

Beston’s small cottage stood on one of the easternmost reaches of land in the United States, and was located at the end of Nauset Spit, hence the title, “The Outermost House.”
In 1964 it was named a National Literary Landmark. The house was washed away by storm tides in 1978.

Erected by Cape Cod National Seashore.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Landmarks. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1927.

Location. 41° 50.61′ N, 69° 56.827′ W. Marker is in Eastham, Massachusetts, in Barnstable County. It can be reached from Ocean View Drive. The marker is located

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at the end of a short path between the two buildings of the former Nauset Coast Guard Station. The path starts at the parking lot in front of the buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Ocean View Drive, Eastham MA 02642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Journey of the Mayflower (here, next to this marker); Coast Guard Beach: (a few steps from this marker); Outermost cliff and solitary dune… (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Doane Rock (approx. 0.6 miles away); Adapting to Nature (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Long, Black Cable (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pushed Back by the Sea (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Nauset Lights (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eastham.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Life Savers (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Changing Beach (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. The Outermost House. (Submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Henry Beston. (Submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

Nauset Spit.<br> Beston’s house was on the outer dune at the extreme left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, September 14, 2016

2. Nauset Spit.
Beston’s house was on the outer dune at the extreme left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 6,178 times since then and 213 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2017, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.