Town Line Boundary Marker
Why it's listed
A modest stone post on High Street in West Barnstable marks the line between the towns of Barnstable and Sandwich. It measures about 12 inches wide, 8 inches thick and 48 inches high, and sits in a residential setting. A vertical line is chiseled up its middle, with the letter B on the right for Barnstable and the letter S on the left for Sandwich. Nobody knows when it was erected. The marker is valued for its link to the town's boundary history. The boundary in this area was basically set when settlers purchased most of what is now West Barnstable from the Indian Chief Serunk in 1644. Reviewers accepted it under criterion A for that association, and a reviewer's note suggests it presumably dates from the middle of the 17th century. The local historical commission recorded it in the early 1980s, citing Donald Trayser's 1939 history of Barnstable.
Significance in brief: The marker is significant for its association with the history of Barnstable's boundary establishment. The line it marks was basically set when settlers bought most of what is now West Barnstable from the Indian Chief Serunk in 1644. The form says it retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and meets criterion A. A reviewer's note says it presumably dates from the mid-17th century.
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 87000242, listed September 18, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Great Hill Rd., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | September 18, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000242 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.72214, -70.40052 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87000242.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.