HomeMy WebLinkAboutMACRIS 744 Willow St. South YarmouthMassachusetts Cultural Resource Information System
Scanned Record Cover Page
Inventory No:
YAR.353
Historic Name;
Brown House
Common Name;
Willow House - Bass River Farm
Address:
744 Willow St
Cityrrown: Yarmouth
Village/Neighborhood: South Yarmouth Village; Bass
River;
Local No: 366;
Year Constructed: C 1850
Architectural Style(s): Gothic Revival;
Use(s):
Hotel or Inn; Single Family Dwelling House;
Significance:
Architecture; Commerce; Recreation;
Area(s):
YAR. H
Designation(s):
Nat'l Register District (05/29/1990);
Building Materials:
Wall: Wood; Wood Clapboard; Wood Shingle;
Demolished
No
r,1a
q I
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This file was accessed on: Monday April 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
FORM B - BUILDING JS
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
A I
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north.
Willow Street
In Area no. Form no.
-3 €9_
Yarmouth
'o Bass River 1
Wdress 144 Willow Street
lame
nt use Private residence
Frank J. and
:sent owner Maggie Smith
iption:
c. 1850
Source 1858 map_
tyle
Gothic Revival
Architect
Narrow
Exterior wall fabric clapboards
Outbuildings (describe) Garage / sheds
Other features _Steep Gothic roof line,
circular staircase in front rooms
is reason why two front windows
are shuttered close2l.
Altered X Date 1910
Moved
4J 5. Lot size.
of
o One acre or less
Date
X Over one acre
Approximate frontage 50 feet
w r—
:> Approximate distance of building from street
.rq
a
30 feet
6. Recorded by Sandra K. Creamer
armou Is orica
Organization Survey
Date February 1980
sr)
37M--7-77
7. Original owner (if known)
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal
Conservation
Recreation _X
Agricultural
Education
Religion
Architectural
X Exploration/
Science/
The Arts
settlement
invention
Commerce
Industry
Social/
Communication
Military
humanitarian
Community development
Political
Transportation
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
There is a possibility that the kitchen at the rear of the house is 175
to 200 vears old having been built on sand with a circular cellar and
including a fireplace with an oven (since removed).
This house became known as the "Willow House" because its owners,
Charles and *Mandy Brown ran it as a boarding house for summer visitors
to the area from 1899 to the 1920's. They paid $500 for the property_
which included 3/4 acre, house, barn and outbuildings.
At one noi.nt there was a carriage house attached to the house but it
burned down.
Charlie Brown was employed as a baggage clerk for the railroad.
In 1923 this property became known as the Bass River Inn.
* Amanda "Mandy" Brown was the daughter of Isiah and mate F. Sherman,
the former owners and probably the original owners.
The present owner, Mrs. Maggie Smith, has a great deal of information
pertaining to this property including newspaper clippings, oral
history, etc.
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
1. Deeds from Barnstable County, Book 15, p. 536; b. 237, p. 180; and
book 830, p. 69
2. Maps, 1858, 1880 & 1907