How Things Used to Be

High School - 1843

This was the first Orleans High School. It had separate entrances for boys and girls. It was opposite what is now the Orleans Town Office Building on School Road. It operated until 1940 when it was replaced by the "new" Orleans High School which is now the Nauset Regional Middle School.
For some details about how much it cost and who paid for it, click this link

High School - 2021

The current high scool is the Nauset Regional High School. It is in North Eastham and is about to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation.

Pals Ice Cream

Pals Ice Cream was started by Harold & Violet Crosby, in-laws of Bill Doherty who owned "Bill's Sunoco" right next door.

The Yardarm Restaurant

A popular restaurant that caters to locals and visitors. Formerly owned by John & Jane Sully for decades, then sold to current owners Carol & Tony Barreiro.

Howard Johnsons

This was the 2nd Howard Johnsons in a fast growing chain. It was owned and run by Reggie Sprague who, with his family, lived directly in back in what is now Ace Hardware, formerly The Christmas Tree Shop.

Lost Dog Restaurant

Howard Johnsons became the Fog Cutter Restaurant and that morphed into the Coast Restaurant. Both were relatively short-lived and subsequently became the second of two Lost Dog restaurants on the Cape. The other is on Route 134 in East Dennis.

Snow Library - Before 1952

During a snowstorm in 1952, the Snow Library caught fire and burned. It was a total loss. Fire hoses were laid to the Town Cove for water but snow plows sliced them open. Fire Chief George Knowles died after crawling back to the fire house to get another pumper.

Snow Library Today

A very popular learning center for locals and visitors alike.

Home of the "Nickerson Girls"

The Nickerson family had five (5) girls whose married names were Edith Gill, Barbara Wilcox Wright, Harriet Schluter, Jane Walsh, and Ann Muñoz.

Red Ballon Toy Store

Since 1970, the Red Balloon has been selling toys of all kinds. It is right on Route 6A in Orleans center.