Bacon, Stephen, House
Why it's listed
Standing at 105 North Main Street in Natick, this 2 1/2-story clapboarded house dates to about 1704-1720 and reflects the shift from First Period to later building habits. It has a central chimney, a rear lean-to and an asymmetrical five-bay facade. The left side keeps early framing, including exposed summer beams, joists spaced 22 inches apart, and a five-foot fireplace with a side oven, all marking its transitional character. The right-hand rooms have only boxed or unfinished framing, suggesting they were added later in the 18th century. The house probably began as a one-cell structure that grew by addition, a common fate for such dwellings. Local tradition links it to the area's early history: it appears on the 1724 "Needham Leg" map as one of six original farms, held early public school classes, and acted as a warning center for Minute Men during the Revolution. A 20th-century wing and 1920s restoration followed, and it remains in good condition.
Significance in brief: The house keeps its integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship in its late First Period/transitional frame. Its two-room plan is probably typical of transitional one-cell houses that gained additions during the 18th century. It also has ties to local events: it appears on the 1724 "Needham Leg" map as one of six original farms, housed early public school classes, and served as a warning center for Minute Men during the Revolution.
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 90000174, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 105 N. Main St., Natick |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000174 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late First Period/Transitional |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recorded in good condition; present use is a funeral home and residence. A right wing was added in the 20th century and the house was restored in the 1920s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.29171, -71.35616 (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 90000174.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7608638
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.