Baker, Capt. Seth, Jr., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 at 35 Main Street in Hyannis, this 1 1/2-story clapboard house is a simple vernacular form of the early to mid-19th century. It has a five-bay facade, a central chimney and entry, and a low-pitched gable roof with a knee wall that leaves a wide band between windows and cornice. The entry reflects the Federal period, with a tall frieze and a thin projecting cornice, and the windows hold 6/6 sash. A rear lean-to and ell extend the main block. Capt. Seth Baker, Jr., a deep water captain, is linked to the house; he married Sophia Lovell in 1822, and their grandson Walter D. Baker's wife started the Colonial Candle Co. The house's modest appearance points to the wide differences in wealth among sea captains. Its survival on the busy Main Street corridor, now a commercial area, is described as remarkable and helps show how that area changed over time. It was listed for its Baker family associations and its architecture.
Significance in brief: It is a well-preserved example of a traditional vernacular house form, and such humble residences are rare in what is now a commercial corridor. It is also associated with members of the Baker family, and its modest character suggests the wide range of wealth among local sea captains.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000299, listed September 18, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 35 Main St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | September 18, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000299 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Transitional Federal/Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent; present use is offices, with no major alterations and no outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.65626, -70.27227 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000299.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036471
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.