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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Cape Cod National SeashoreProvince Lands dunes
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Cape Cod National Seashore
Old Harbor Life-Saving Station
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Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, off Race Point, Provincetown

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station was built in Chatham in 1897. The station was operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, and its precurser the U.S. Life-Saving Service, until it was decommissioned in July 1944. The building was later obtained by the National Park Service, and in November 1977, it was moved by barge to Provincetown. In summer, breeches buoy rescue re-enactments are conducted on the grounds on Thursday evenings.

An Introduction to the United States Life-Saving Service
(.wmv file, 4:20 minutes)

Life and Service of a Surfman
(.wmv file, 3:39 minutes)
Cape Cod  

Did You Know?
In the mid-19th century, Henry David Thoreau walked the Atlantic coastline of Cape Cod, recording his adventures in his narrative "Cape Cod". To literally follow in Thoreau’s footsteps today would require scuba gear. Cape Cod’s Outer Beach sees an average erosion rate of close to 4 feet per year.

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Last Updated: December 06, 2007 at 10:59 EST