On the site where formerly stood this inn, the town of Rockport is now building a park. This should be welcome news to Rockporters and visitors alike, because the views from here are spectacular.
The building was originally constructed around the turn of the century as a private mansion. For many years, it operated as the Cape Hedge Inn. It later became The Beaches inn and then The Sandpiper. It was still operating as The Sandpiper when it burned down in the late 1970s. (A recent Gloucester Daily Times article said it burned down in 1978 but a 1984 court decision involving the property said it was 1976 or 1977.)
Over the years, various attempts were made to rebuild on the property. In 1978, The Sandpiper’s owner, John Krenn, obtained a zoning variance to construct a two-story, 2o-room inn, but the variance lapsed when construction did not begin. In the 1980s, a subsequent owner was granted a variance to build a four-unit condominium on the site. A court later revoked the variance, ruling that the town should not have granted it.
For other postcards of this inn, see:
- The Beaches Inn (a/k/a Cape Hedge Inn), Rockport, Mass., circa 1965.
- The Original Cape Hedge Inn and Annex, Rockport, Mass., 1953.
This postcard was published by the Rockport Photo Bureau. There is no date on the reverse side. Based on the similarity of the printing on the reverse side to other cards I have, and judging by what can be seen of the cars in the picture, I estimate this to be around 1939.
Vintage Rockport 
Wonderful, a Rockport Bird Paradise!. Peaceful, Great Bird Singing Music! Then Fly some Kites…..Watch Mother Natures Beauty 🙂 Maybe We All can Watch on a Nest Cam? I’ll let the Bald Eagles in on Your Bird Paradise 🙂 Sure Freedom & Liberty Will be Happy…. Sharing=Caring!
Bob, nice recap on the old Sandpiper Inn. John krenn used to be on our Thacher Island volunteer group
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Living in Rockport, each year I see less and less inns, hotels, motels, and guest houses for tourists to stay. A huge change from 100 years ago. The Seacrest Manor, the end of Marmion Way now have plans for housing.
I WOULD ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ROCKPORT AS A TOURIST….HOPE SOMEONE SHARES OUR INTEREST TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN ROCKPORT 🙂
Thanks Paul I really like looking at old pictures of Rockport. We truly love it here!
Raymond
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