'Before it is claimed by the sea.' Erosion threatens Cape Cod National Seashore house

Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

An oceanfront home with one of the best beach views on Cape Cod is facing an uncertain future because of erosion. According to a release from the Cape Cod National Seashore, the park-owned house at 40 Ocean View Drive in Eastham "is no longer inhabitable in its present location."

Known as the Bartlett House, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was built in 1960 and sits on a bluff just north of Coast Guard Beach. It was acquired by the National Park Service in 1964 from H. Craigin Bartlett, according to the release. For decades, the house was used by seasonal park employees and in recent years was open to the public as a short-term rental.

The sand bluff where the home is located has been eroding quickly. According to the park, the house was about 45 feet from the edge in April 2023. It is now less than 13 feet from the edge.

Saltwater infiltrated the home's well system in the fall of 2023 and the house was deemed no longer usable for residential purposes, according to the Seashore. A cesspool was also removed in the fall of 2023.

According to the park, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determined that the house was unsuitable for habitation on July 9. That started the clock on a 20-day waiting period "to allow for an appeal of this determination," according to the Seashore.

Here's what happens next, according to the Seashore release:

This oceanfront home, owned by the National Park Service and located at 40 Ocean View Drive in Eastham, has been deemed "no longer inhabitable in its present location" because of erosion, according to a release from the Cape Cod National Seashore.
This oceanfront home, owned by the National Park Service and located at 40 Ocean View Drive in Eastham, has been deemed "no longer inhabitable in its present location" because of erosion, according to a release from the Cape Cod National Seashore.

"If there is no appeal, the house will be offered to any interested state or local government entity or homeless service organization. An expression of interest in the property must be filed with HUD.  The interested party will need to complete an application packet and ultimately remove the structure.  If there is no expression of interest in the home the National Park Service will continue with the plans to demolish the structure before it is claimed by the sea."

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. 

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod erosion: Oceanfront Eastham home no longer inhabitable