Hinckley, Capt. Joseph, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 at 142 Old Stage Road in Centerville, this Greek Revival cottage is regarded as one of the finest side-hall examples of its type in the village. Its flush board facade, full-length first-story windows, trabeated entry surround and one-story porch on fluted Doric columns give it a distinctive look. The steep gable roof, which holds an extra half story, is unusual though not unique. A simple gable-roofed barn at the rear, thought to date from about 1827, adds to the setting. The house is also linked to Captain Joseph Hinckley (1829-1911), who commanded the ship Village Gem, built in Centerville, and the steamships Endeavor and Providence. Stage drivers on Old Stage Road changed horses here, and the hitching posts, a deep covered well and a woodworking shop remain on the property. The house still serves as a residence and is in excellent condition with no major alterations.
Significance in brief: The house is considered one of the finest side-hall Greek Revival cottages in Centerville, with a flush board facade, a trabeated entry and a porch on fluted Doric columns. It is also tied to Captain Joseph Hinckley, a local sea captain, and served as a stage stop where drivers changed horses.
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 87000249, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 142 Old Stage Rd., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000249 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Bill Cahoon (builder) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; condition is excellent, with no major alterations and the building not moved. |
| Acreage | 2.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.65394, -70.34992 (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 87000249.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036449
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.