{cbavatar}hostelling_intl{/cbavatar}One of New England’s oldest and most beautiful life-saving stations has been a temporary home for American and international travelers for more than 45 years.  The Surfside Life-Saving Station, originally built for a mere $2,500 in the summer of 1874, was converted into a youth hostel by Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) in 1963.  Since then, thousands of bikers, beach lovers, tourists and families have been able to enjoy the rich landscape of the region, as HI-USA provides clean, safe accommodations at an affordable price.

The Robert B. Johnson Memorial Hostel, named after a former HI-USA executive director, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Originally, the 19-feet wide by 43-feet long, one-and-a-half story campus housed sleeping quarters for surfmen, housing for stranded seamen, a boatroom, kitchen and office.  Today, the station serves as the hostel’s main building with a kitchen, dining room and common room, as well as women’s bathroom and dormitory.  The former house barn now houses the men’s dormitory and bathroom.  Private rooms are also available.