Red Horse Inn History

The main building of today’s The Red Horse Inn was originally built in 1933 as a restaurant known at the time, simply as the "Bellows" It was built in the traditional Cape Cod style by a Mrs. Teklar Hedlung, who rightly recognized the enormous business potential from its excellent trading location, being central between a growing town, beautiful beaches and an increasingly busy harbor/ferry service to the islands. Her success was well deserved in those hard and difficult inter war years.

The Inn changed ownership a few times, but always remained a very successful restaurant until Mr.& Mrs. John Sheehan converted it into a guest house in 1948 and changed the name to the Red Horse Inn. The name change is accredited to the fact that Mr. Sheehan was a avid race horse enthusiast who favored a Triple Crown winner, a “Roan” (Red Horse) being his legacy to the Inn for his stewardship until 1956.

In 1956 the Inn was acquired by Grace & Bob Cashman who in 1981 added a modern 10 bedroom building to accommodate the ever increasing demand for more affordable quality accommodation. The Cashman’s ran a pretty tight ship and turned the Red Horse Inn into the well known landmark it is to day.

Following their departure in 2003 the Inn was owned by the Fredette family who facilitated a large extent of the modernization needed for the 21st century, as well as introducing the unique “Cape Cod” style of comfort and furnishings, which is very much appreciated by our guests.