Crocker, Benomi and Barnabas, House
Why it's listed
Standing at 325 Willow Street in West Barnstable, this shingled Federal period Cape dates to about 1790. It began as a three-bay half Cape, and the southwest end was added in 1843, giving it a full five-bay front. The symmetrical facade centers on an entry with narrow sidelights instead of a transom, and windows hold 6/6 sash. The house sits on a low stone foundation under a gable roof with a large central chimney, and a one-story rear ell extends it. Beams and stones from a nearby deteriorating stone fort are reported to have been used in construction. The land was part of Deacon William Crocker's early grant, and Crocker family members, including Benomi, Barnabas, Erwin, Stephen II and Edward, owned the property until 1926. Its long family ties, its place in West Barnstable's farming history and its well-preserved architecture support its listing. It remains a dwelling in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its long association, until 1926, with a well-known local family, the Crocker family. It also reflects West Barnstable's agricultural history. It is a fine, well-preserved example of a Federal period Cape cottage.
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 87000216, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 325 Willow St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000216 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is described as excellent; present use is a dwelling. The house has not been moved. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.70503, -70.38549 (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 87000216.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4890120
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.