These small, single-story houses with gable roofs, constituted much of New England’s housing stock in the colonial and early national eras. They usually incorporate a central entry and central chimney in a balanced five-bay façade. “Half houses” and “three-quarter” houses present unbalanced three- and four-bay facades. Sheathing consists of clapboards or shingles, depending upon location. Earlier examples utilize few decorative details, while later Capes incorporate a variety of Federal or Greek Revival motifs. Throughout the eighteenth century, Capes with low eaves and short eight-foot corner posts predominated. In the nineteenth century many builders utilized twelve-foot corner posts, which raised the eaves and provided more usable space beneath the roof. They are sometimes referred to as “raised Capes.”