Detailed history of one of America's most popular architectural styles-the Cape Cod house-from its beginnings more than six centuries ago to the present. The story starts in rural England where yeomen and tradesmen built their small one to one-and-a-half story timber framed cottages. The first settlers that came to the New World and settled in Massachusetts built comparable cottages in the 1620s. After explaining the three basic variations-half cape, three quarter cape, and full cape-the book examines more than 100 historic houses spread throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Comparing archival images, building plans, and present-day photographs, the book considers different aspects of the evolution of this house style. This study is complete with more than 600 images detailing the interiors and exteriors of these classic homes. A must for anyone interested in architecture, Cape Cod, and the most admired of American homes. 680 photographs & illustrations.