Robert Douglas, a sailor and aviator, founded the iconic Black Dog Tavern in Martha's Vineyard, which opened in 1971 as a year-round restaurant. Despite his background far from the ocean around Chicago, he became immersed in the island's culture and maritime life. Douglas's ventures on the water led to the building of a 108-foot topsail schooner. His desire for a cozy, accessible dining spot resulted in a laid-back dining experience in the Black Dog, which flourished and gained a national reputation, known for its informal atmosphere and the beloved canine mascot.
The tail started wagging the dog,' Douglas once noted in an interview with the Vineyard Gazette. 'It started as a restaurant and it turned into a dry goods business.'
Most of the island's restaurants were closed in the winter, when visitors stuck to the mainland. With help from carpenter Allan Miller, who became a part-owner of the restaurant, Mr. Douglas took matters into his own hands, opening the Black Dog in January 1971.
Although Mr. Douglas spent much of his time on the water, skippering chartered tours on the Shenandoah, he was eager for a place near the harbor where he could sit among friends with a good cup of chowder.
By 1964, he had worked his way up to a 108-foot topsail schooner, the Shenandoah, whose construction he oversaw and whose design he modeled after an 1850s revenue cutter.
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