BARNSTABLE, a seaport town and the county seat of Barnstable county, Mass., U.S.A., extending across Cape Cod. It is served by the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad. The population in 1930 was 7,271.
Cranberries are cultivated extensively, and the fishing industry, including the raising of Cotuit oysters, is important. The prin cipal economic interests, however, centre around the entertain ment of summer visitors. Hyannis, the largest village and general business centre for the whole cape, is the seat of a State normal school (established 1897) and of the Cape Cod hospital (1920). Each of the 14 villages has its own public library and public hall.
Barnstable was settled and incorporated in 1639. It was the birthplace of James Otis and Lemuel Shaw.