Through a Washashore's Eyes

A View with a Legend

The Scargo Tower began as a tourist observatory in 1874. Originally made of wood but was it destroyed almost two years later by strong gale force winds. It was rebuilt of wood again and it faced another destruction by fire this time in 1900.  It was rebuilt again of  cobblestone and reopened in 1901. It is located on Scargo Hill which is 160 feet high and the tallest point on Cape Cod and the tower itself stand 30 feet high. It was created by the Tobey family. A plaque placed above the entrance and weather by the years reads,

"This Tower and Hilltop were given to the town of Dennis in 1929 as a memorial to Charles Tobey (1831-1888) and Frances Bassett Tobey (1833-1913) . Loyal sons of the village of Dennis where their  Tobey ancestors settled in 1678."

Inside of the cobblestone tower there is a spiral metal staircase that leads up to the top of the tower where one can catch a view of the Scargo Lake and the Alantic Ocean as well as miles of green Cape Cod landscape. On  your way up the staircase, pay special note to the  graffiti on the inside of the tower from visitors pasts. The tower is open from sunrise to sunset daily and the best part of the viewing is, its free .

Many people have travel here for some great star gazing , sunsets and a proposal or two. Maybe it the legend of the Scargo Lake below which has varies versions. It is believed that a beautiful Indian princess by the name of  Scargo lived along the shores of Dennis. One day she met a young brave from another tribe in the woods and the two fell madly in love. The brave gave the princess a pumpkin that he had carved which he had hallowed out and filled with water and four tiny fishes . He promised to return before the fishes were fully grown. The pricess made a small pond and placed the fishes inside.  One day upon returning to the pond she found that it had dryed. She found three fish dead and wept uncontrollably, so much so that her tears kept the last fish alive. Her grief caused her father great distress and thus he called a meeting with his tribe members and together that built a lake. The rains came and the lake was  filled and the fish survived. As promised the brave returned before the fish matured and they were married. They continued to live along the Scargo Lake were the silver fish and his descentants swim.

Whatever the case legend or not, don't miss a chance to catch a view from the top of the tower. It is said that on a clear day one can see the Pilgrim's Momument in Provincetown or Plymouth in the opposite direction. Bring your camera and enjoy as I have done and will continue to do.