Our History

Every summer since 1966, Fox’s Lobster House has served tons of fresh Maine lobster, seafood, homemade Maine blueberry pie, and ice cream to the thousands of tourists who visit the famous Nubble Lighthouse each day. At Fox’s Lobster House, lobsters are boiled the “old fashioned way” in our lobster pound, which dates back to 1936.

Steamed Lobsters at the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine

Traditionally, Fox’s was open from Father’s Day through Labor Day. Over the years, the summer season has extended from the end of April through mid October.

We presently employ about 65 people, most of which are York residents, ranging in age from 14-76. Fox’s is all about family and employs many mothers and children, sisters and brothers, cousins, couples and friends. The three Fox children Wendy, Nathan and Justin have all grown up around the kitchen and help in various roles around “The Fox” with everything from advertising to landscaping. Various Winslow, Fox and Dunne family members have also worked at Fox’s for many years and make our place special.

Come see why “One Nibble on the Nubble and You’re Hooked!”

Fox's Through the Years

1936
Frank and Annie Coupe from Methuen, Massachusetts bought a little land "not fit for grazing cattle" next to the Nubble Lighthouse from William Sohier of Beverly, Massachusetts. They built a small, rustic lobster pound with an inside dining room that seated 40 people, and called it "Coupe's Lobster Pound." Besides lobster, they were famous for their fried clams. They also built a take-out stand across the street (where the Sohier Park Welcome Station is presently located)
1941
Due to World War II food shortages, the take-out stand is closed and converted it into a gift shop.
1948
Coupes sell to two chefs from Boston, who ran it for two years.
1950
Edward and Dorothy Brown from Manchester, New Hampshire bought the restaurant and changed the name to "Brown's Lobster Pound" (no relation to Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream on Nubble Road).
1957
The Browns sold to Ernest and Marie LePore from Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Keeping up with the popularity of 1950's drive-in restaurants, the LePores built an addition onto the kitchen with a take-out window.
1965
The LePores sold to John and Geraldine Murphy from Belmont, Massachusetts.
1966
After 1 year, the Murphys sell to Bob Fox Sr., wife Tilly, and their oldest son Bob Jr. from Dracut, Massachusetts. The establishment was then renamed Fox's Lobster House.
1971
Phyllis Winslow from Ayer, Massachusetts became a waitress at Fox's Lobster House.
1972
Bob Jr. and Phyllis are married and have three children (Wendy, Nathan and Justin) between 1972 and 1980.
1974
The oceanside dining room is enlarged and renovated to seat 65 people.
1976
Bob Sr. and Tilly retired and sold their interest to Bob Jr. and Phyllis. Bob and Phyllis renovated and enlarged the old upstairs waitstaff dormitory into another dining room, adding 65 more seats with a spectacular ocean view of the Nubble Lighthouse, and added an outside picnic patio area with tables.
1986
Bob and Phyllis divorced, and Phyllis took ownership of the business by herself.
1992
Phyllis married Stephen Dunne from Bernardsville, New Jersey. Steve takes over Brown's Old Fashioned Ice Cream, leasing the building from the Brown family while running his own ice cream business.
1996
Handicap accessible bathrooms and a new entrance are added in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.
2008
Phyllis and Steve completely renovate the interior of Fox's. An Ocean Front bar and dining room transformation include panoramic windows, interior walls, ceilings, flooring and seating. The lobster tank is also updated making it more eco friendly.
2011
The Nubble Light Webcam is added providing 24 hour access.
2015
Kitchen area is redesigned with new equipment to increase efficiency. Steve and Phyllis build and open beautiful new handicapped accessible Dunne's Ice Cream on Nubble Road closer to the lighthouse. (www.dunnesicecream.com)
2019
Seagull snatching Fox's Lobster roll photo taken by Alicia Jessop goes viral on the internet. Seagull snatching lobster roll at Nubble Lighthouse
2019
Wendy featured as lobster expert on HGTV's Beach Front Bargain Hunt in a tutorial on how to eat a Maine lobster. Wendy featured as lobster expert on HGTV's Beach Front Bargain Hunt
2020
Phyllis celebrates her 50th summer at Fox's.Phyllis' Mom, 100 years old at the time, told her not to make a big deal about it, to just stay humble and keep serving great food!