Rowell House
Why it's listed
Built around 1731 on Gull Pond Road in Wellfleet, this 1 1/2 story half cape sits in a small forested clearing between Gull Pond and the old King's Highway. It has a three-bay facade, a side entry, an interior end chimney, plank construction and a brick foundation. Its windows retain what appears to be original 9-over-6 sash. The house is the earliest known surviving half cape in Wellfleet, a modest form that was often built by new families or builders of limited means with later expansion in mind. It was probably first owned by the Newcomb family and later by mariners, which reflects the early inland pond settlement. Walter P. Rowell bought it in 1896 as a summer home, in keeping with Wellfleet's growth as a resort. Changes have been limited to new roof shingles, an added layer of wall shingles and some replaced floors and ceilings. A privy also survives. The property was listed for its architecture and local history.
Significance in brief: The house is an early and relatively rare surviving example of the three-bay half cape form, and the earliest extant half cape known in Wellfleet. It represents early settlement around the freshwater ponds near the Wellfleet-Truro line and its long association with local mariners. It also reflects Wellfleet's later shift to a seasonal resort community.
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 88001458, listed September 1, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Gull Pond Rd., Wellfleet |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | September 1, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001458 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1731-1938 |
| Architectural style | Colonial (Cape Cod half cape) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Well maintained and still occupied by members of the Rowell family; future use uncertain pending legal action to settle the estate. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 41.95557, -70.01264 (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 88001458.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715835
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.