In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).
Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 12 South Street. The home at 12 South Street was built in 1845 by Capt. Russell Gray and is an example of a one-and-one-half-story Greek Revival gable house. In the late 19th century, it was the residence of Capt. William H. Cobb, the captain of a coastal schooner. He was active in community affairs and in 1919, was selectman, assessor, and “overseer of the poor.” Captain Cobb lived here until his death in 1920. His widow, Henrietta Cobb, was listed in the town directory as living here in 1926.
