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Starting Out!
From our Visitor Center take a left on Route 28. At the third set of lights (at the Police Station) take a right onto Higgins Crowell Road. At the end take a right onto Willow Street. The Adventure begins at the end of Willow Street as you take a right onto The Old King's Highway (Route 6A), the first road to be built on Cape Cod. All the buildings you will see are on this road.
Christmas Tree Shop/Liberty Hill Inn
On your left you will see the original Christmas Tree Shop. In 1865 this building was the general store. On your right you will see Liberty Hill, the site of the first Revolutionary War liberty pole. This house was owned by DC Eldridge in 1880, an esteemed gentleman serving two years as a state representative and was involved with the library and schoolhouses.
Take a right on Route 6A (to the Bank of Boston)
The Gingerbread House/Hallet's Store
As you travel back in time past homes built from the early 1700s to late 1800s you will notice several different styles: Greek Revival, Georgian, Gothic and, of course, Capes!
The "Gingerbread House" on your left and currently a restaurant, is a stunning example of a Gothic Revival built around 1850. This was once the summer home of Capt. Frederick Howes who spent most of his 70 years commanding ships. He also invented the Howes Sail which made ships easier to handle and cut down on the number crew members needed.
Hallet's Store was built in 1889 by Thacher Taylor Hallet as a drug store. Besides the usual items he added a lunch counter complete with soda fountain. If you have time to stop we highly recommend it as the fountain is still there. The store is now run by his grand-daughter, Mary Hallet Clark and her son Charles. Upstairs is a wonderful museum full of photos and memorabilia from times gone by.
Town Pump and Sears Arms Hotel
This house built in 1780 was moved to this location (on your left) from West Barnstable in 1935 by Miss Mary Thacher. The house was lovingly restored at that time and now belongs to the Society for the Preservation of N. England Antiquities.
You can have a very interesting guided tour Tues-Thur and Sat/Sun from noon - 5pm.
Old Yarmouth Inn
This Inn is reputed to be the oldest Inn on Cape Cod (some say in the US!) having been built about 1690. It was the end of the stage coach run from Boston and the start for the stages to Provincetown and Chatham.
Parnassus Book Store
Built in 1858 (on your left) by James Knowles as an indoor market it also housed the Swedenborgian Church (upstairs) until 1870. At one time, it housed the first elevator on Cape Cod. Currently it is a bookstore where you can even buy a book after hours - just leave your money !
Winslow-Crocker House
This publication is funded (in part) by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Economic Affairs/Office of Travel and Tourism, and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
The Common/Capt Bangs Hallet
The Common (on your right after the Post Office) was once a pond. Stories tell of men digging up the clay to make bricks for their fireplaces! The Common is sur-rounded by houses built by the prominent Thacher family.
Capt. Bangs Hallet, a famous Sea Captain, purchased the house in 1863 by swapping it for his own home further along the road! It is now a beautiful museum run by the Historical Society and is open in June on Sundays, 2-4 and starting July on Wednesday to Friday and Sundays from noon - 4pm. Well worth a visit! The only way to get drinking water around 1886 was to use a pump and the Yarmouth town pump can still be seen on the corner of Summer Street (right hand side). This pump was used to water horses, for households or just to take a drink while chatting with neighbors. The stage from Boston ended here bringing guests to the prestigous Sears Arms Hotel (the large columned building). Owned at one time by Joshua Sears, the richest man in New England.
Next to the Fire Station
This building (on your left), built around 1880, was once known as the Sloyd Building. In it girls were taught to cook and boys were taught carpentry. In 19t8 the Community Canning Club canned 1,087 pints of vegetables and fruits from local gardens as part of the war effort!
Bray Farm
Continue on Route 6A for about 2 miles and take a left onto Bray Farm Road South and right onto Bray Farm Road North. You are now in Weir Village. An area not as prosperous as Yarmouthport but one of hardworking fishermen and farmers. During the latter part of the 1700s the Bray brothers purchased this land and established a prosperous farm and successful shipyard. It is still a working farm with walking trails and views of tidal marshland. It is open to the public during the summer (no restrooms!).
Getting Back!
Take a right on Route 6A until you come to a flashing light. Take a left onto Union Street (this then becomes Station Avenue) and follow to end. Bear right and take a right at the lights. You are now back on Route 28.
Acknowledgments and Further Reading
Much of our information has been taken from Yarmouth: Old Homes and Gathering Places by Judy Thomas and Priscilla Gregory on sale for $10 at Town Hall and Yarmouth's Maritime Days Facts & Lore by Jack Braginton-Smith, Bainbridge Crist and Beth Flanagan, which can be picked up in our center for a $2 donation.
Adventures! are written and produced by the Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and may not be reproduced without permission.
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