Baker House
Why it's listed
Built between about 1875 and 1890 at 191 Hornbine Road in rural Rehoboth, this clapboard duplex was erected by the Baker family, descendants of early settlers in the southern part of town. Tradition holds that twin brothers John and James Baker built it and lived in it. From the front it resembles a typical late 19th century 1½-story cottage, but it has a side ell at each end, a central entrance flanked by projecting bay windows, a straight roof line and plain eaves. Later changes include an enclosed porch and two small rear ells added in the 1930s. Its significance lies in its type. Multi-family houses are uncommon in Rehoboth, and this is the only known example of its type and period. It shows how the two-family house changed from the vertical arrangement of the Federal period to a horizontal cottage layout in the late 19th century, while also reflecting the town's modest economy at that time.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the only known example of its type and period in Rehoboth, where multi-family dwellings are uncommon. It represents the shift of the two-family house from the vertical arrangement of the Federal period to a horizontal cottage configuration in the late 19th century. It is also described as a modest house reflecting Rehoboth's late 19th century economy.
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 83000622, listed June 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 191 Hornbine St., Rehoboth |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | June 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000622 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; traditionally said to have been built by twin brothers John and James Baker |
| Architectural style | Late Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is the same as the original use, a two-family residence; the barn is a 19th-century outbuilding. |
| Acreage | 3.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.79215, -71.19286 (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 83000622.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4849159
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.