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About

About the Lighthouse Inn

In 1850, the federal government appropriated $4000 to build a lighthouse near the breakwater at the mouth of the Bass River. Although an officer of the Marine Revenue reported that a light was unnecessary, the plans were carried through because the captains of the ships had been putting in 25 cents per month of their own money to buy kerosene for a lantern that was placed on Wrinkle Point in West Dennis.

In 1854, construction began on the light and the keeper’s home. Oxen were used to drag the materials over the salt marshes and dunes. The light was lit on May 1, 1855, and continued to be in service until 1880, when the Lighthouse Service decided the Bass River Light was no longer necessary since a new light had been built at Stage Harbor in Chatham. One year later, the government changed its mind and decided to relight the Bass River Light. The light continued to serve seafarers until 1914, when it was decommissioned after the Cape Cod Canal opened.

Lighthouse Inn historical photo

Season 2025 marks the 87th anniversary of Lighthouse Inn! However, our Bass River Light is over 160 years old! See us featured in Cape Cod Life magazine!

About the Lighthouse Inn Property

After being sold at auction in 1917, the lighthouse property was purchased by Harry Noyes of the Noyes Buick Company in Boston. Noyes enlarged the Main House, built several buildings, and landscaped the grounds. After his death in 1933, the property was on the market for five years until Everett Stone, at the urging of his wife Gladys, purchased the property. Their son Robert helped by putting in $1000 inherited from his grandparents. Everett was a developer from Auburn, Massachusetts. He planned to develop the land and sell it, but the papers on the lighthouse were passed too late in July to begin any construction.

Gladys Stone decided to take in overnight guests to help pay the mortgage. So many of the 1938 guests asked to return, the Stones changed their plans to develop the land and thus began Lighthouse Inn. Since there were very few restaurants nearby, in 1939, Gladys and Everett decided their son Bob would run the dining room for the Lighthouse Inn. Bob hired three waitresses from Wheaton College, including Mary Packard. Bob and Mary were married in 1942, starting the tradition of family operation of the Inn.

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After the death of Everett Stone in 1947, Bob, Mary and Gladys continued to run the Inn over the next three decades. After Gladys retired, Bob and Mary continued to run the Inn while raising five children – Betty Anne, Deborah, Barbara, Jonathan and Gregory, all of whom have worked at the Inn at one time or another in various capacities. After being dark for 75 years, the light was relit on August 7, 1989, in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Lighthouse Service which is now the U.S. Coast Guard. The light, which is a one-second white flash every six seconds, is now recognized by the Coast Guard as the West Dennis Light and also as the only privately owned, privately maintained working lighthouse in the country. 2004 saw the passing of Robert Stone at age 86 and Mary joined him in 2016 at the age of 96. By 2003, Bob and Mary had both retired and the reins to the Inn had passed to Greg and his wife, Pat, who started at the Inn in the late ‘70’s as the Children’s Director. Together they now manage the day-to-day operations of the Inn as the third generation of the Stone Family continuing the tradition of the family run business.

Lighthouse Inn History Booklet
Full Timeline of Lighthouse Inn

Lighthouse Inn Policies

A deposit is required by Visa or MasterCard for all advanced reservations. Unlike city hotels which operate year-round, accommodations at resort area hotels are usually booked well in advance in accordance with guests’ vacation schedules and cannot readily be resold if canceled on short notice. Therefore, please refer to individual deposit policy for your booking for cancellation date. If you should arrive after the scheduled arrival date or depart before the scheduled departure date, the deposit will not be deducted from your bill. The deposit policy for groups may vary.

Those guests wishing to arrive prior to check in time or stay after departure, to enjoy the facilities, are welcome to use the pool house for showering and changing.

We want you to feel at ease and dress comfortably. Casual resort clothing is appropriate at Lighthouse Inn and Waterfront Restaurant. Shoes and shirts are required when coming inside the hotel and restaurant.

Please, NO PETS. Service animals are welcome with proper documentation.

WIFI is complimentary to all guests and is available throughout the Lighthouse Inn property, however, the signal strength may vary in some areas.

View our Accessibility & Inclusion policies here.

We are doing our part to keep our guests healthy, and in return, we ask that you do your part by taking the following measures during your stay:

  • One guest to check-in at front desk per reservation
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • If you experience symptoms, contact your local health provider.
  • For more information regarding Covid -19 Precautions, view here

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