Bearse, Capt. Oliver, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1841 at 31 Pearl Street in Hyannis, this clapboard house is an exceptionally well detailed example of the sidehall Greek Revival type with a side entry. Unlike many local examples that take the 1 1/2-story cottage form, it rises a full 2 1/2 stories. Paneled corner pilasters carry an entablature that encircles the main block and turns the gable into a pediment. The entry is framed by sidelights and paneled pilasters under a heavy lintel shelf, and the wing has a similar, simpler doorway. Windows hold 2/2 sash under wide flat lintels, and a white picket fence sets the house off from the street. Deep-water captain Oliver L. Bearse, originally from Yarmouth, lived here from 1841 to 1850. His mother and two sisters then occupied it. The Bond family, who started the first commercial plumbing business on Cape Cod, bought it in 1898 and kept it until 1979. Its architectural quality is the main reason for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant primarily for the high quality of its Greek Revival design, meeting criterion C. It is an exceptionally well detailed sidehall house with a side entry. Its full 2 1/2-story form is less common than the usual 1 1/2-story cottage. Its early owners included sea captains and the Bond family, who began the first commercial plumbing business on Cape Cod.
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 87000276, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 31 Pearl St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000276 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as excellent; interior renovations were done in 1979-80. At the time of the survey it was in use as a guest house. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.65099, -70.28477 (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 87000276.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036461
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.