Cobb's Tavern
Why it's listed
Cobb's Tavern, at 41 Bay Road in Sharon, Massachusetts, dates from about 1740 and is the only building left from a larger complex that once included barns and a blacksmith shop. It has a ridge roof, clapboard walls, a central chimney and a dry stone foundation. Jonathan Cobb added a two-story south wing in the early 1800s, with a brick end wall, and a carriage shed extends beyond it. Inside, a 15-foot pine bar and a small post office writing desk survive in the tap room. Cobb bought the property for use as a stagecoach stop and store, and in 1819 it became Sharon's first U.S. Post Office, when he was appointed postmaster. It stood on the Old Bay Road, an early route between Boston and Taunton. Over time it also hosted a Masonic lodge, the Old Stoughton Musical Society, traveling circuses and the Boston Bicycle Club. It closed to the public in 1895 and is now a private residence.
Significance in brief: The tavern served as a stagecoach stop, store and the first U.S. Post Office in Sharon (1819), and it hosted Masonic meetings, musical societies, circuses and bicycle clubs. It is the last surviving building of an original tavern complex and represents New England Colonial construction.
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 74000383, listed August 7, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 41 Bay Rd., Sharon |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | August 7, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000383 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries (specific date 1740) |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Cobb (built the early 1800s south addition) |
| Architectural style | New England Colonial |
| Areas of significance | Communications, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, with present use as a private residence; the building is altered but on its original site. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.13746, -71.14897 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 74000383.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5138740
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.