7. OKH toward Dennis

Tour the Villages
Yarmouth Port

Old King's Highway, looking east toward Dennis

Located on the north side of Old King's Highway, this trio of homes is situated just beyond the intersection of Union Street. The first two homes are half capes, typical of the dwellings being built in Yarmouth from about 1750 to 1830 when the Greek Revival style, seen in the third house, gained in popularity. What is readily apparent in this photograph is the amount of open space surrounding the homes in the 19th century. The harbor was then visible from many spots along Route 6A, not blocked by tree growth and development as it is today. Trees were a valuable commodity on the Cape, being used not only for building but as the major source of heat. Thus most residents did not have woods near their homes, owning "wood lots" in forested areas where they could go to harvest fuel for their fireplaces. In fact, homeowners did not want much vegetation surrounding their homes, as fires, much more commonplace then than now, could spread more easily.