Dennis is a town located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA. In 1978 it was recognized as ”An All American Town”. The town consists of five villages, each having their own post office: Dennis, East Dennis, South Dennis, West Dennis and Dennis Port. The town was settled in 1639 by John Crowe (Crowell) and Thomas Howes as part of the town of Yarmouth, The town officially separated and was incorporated in 1793. The town is named after Josiah Dennis, the resident minister. The Shiverick Shipyard was the towns major industry in the early days for lack of farm land.
Dennis is a popular seaside destination and resort area. The Cape Playhouse, in northern Dennis, is the oldest summer theatre in the United States. Bette Davis was discovered there while working at the Playhouse as an usher. Mary Higgins Clark the popular novelist is amongst it’s famous residents.
The town offers both Cape Cod Bay beaches and Nantucket Sound beaches as well as fresh water ponds and Scargo Lake. When viewed from atop of Scargo Tower the lake appears to be in the shape of a fish. This area is associated with ancient American folklore. There are two beaches on Scargo Lake: Scargo Beach and Princess Beach. All public beaches in Dennis are owned by the town. To the north is Corporation Beach, Howes Street Beach, Mayflower Beach, Bayview Beach, Chapin Beach, Cold Storage Beach, Harborview Beach, and Crowes Pasture conservation area. Southside Beaches include: West Dennis Beach, South Village Beach, Metcalfe Memorial Beach, Inman Road Beach, Maycroft Beach, Haigis Beach and Glendon Beach.
The town also has two town owned and popular golf courses: Dennis Pines Golf Course and Dennis Highlands Golf Course. Dennis Pines is a par seventy-two, seven thousand-yard championship golf course, 170 acres of pine forest land in East Dennis and is considered one of the toughest courses. Dennis Highlands, par 71 sixty five hundred-yard championship is located on 175 acres. The golf courses have always been a draw to the town of Dennis along with the nonminal membership fees.
Town of Dennis golf courses (http://www.dennisgolf.com/)
Town of Dennis official website (http://www.town.dennis.ma.us/)
Official Dennis tourism website (http://www.dennischamber.com/)
