Baldwin in Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Oldest House in Cambridge

1630 – 1930

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2011

1. Oldest House in Cambridge Marker

Inscription. At Number 21 Linnaean Street is the Cooper-Austin House built in 1657 at what was then the northern end of the Cambridge Cow Common, by John Cooper, selectman, town clerk, and deacon of the church.

Erected 1930 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1657.

Location. 42° 23.096′ N, 71° 7.174′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Baldwin. It is at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue (Massachusetts Route 2A) and Linnaean Street, on the right when traveling south on Massachusetts Avenue. The marker is between Porter Square and Harvard Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1760a Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maria Baldwin (approx. ¼ mile away); William H. Lewis (approx. 0.4 miles away); Revolutionary War Skirmish (approx. 0.4 miles away); Waterhouse House (approx. half a mile away); John Bridge 1578–1665

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(approx. half a mile away); Revolutionary Barracks (approx. half a mile away); Conway Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Quietman Makes Some Noise / Taking the Gloves Off (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.

Regarding Oldest House in Cambridge. The 1930 inscription appears to need revision. More recent research has dated much of the house’s structure to Samuel Cooper in 1681, and it is now known as the Cooper-Frost-Austin House. But it is still believed to be the oldest house in Cambridge.

Also see . . .
1. Cooper-Frost-Austin House. This Wikipedia entry helps explain why the house has been known by different names and dates. (Submitted on June 2, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

2. Historical Markers Erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission (1930). Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on June 2, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

3. Cambridge Historical Society. The Cambridge

Marker Beside Massachusetts Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2011

2. Marker Beside Massachusetts Avenue

The marker, which reads the same on both sides, sits by the yard of a modern apartment complex that is unrelated to it.

Historical Society has been a repository of history and culture for over 100 years. We are an active non-profit organization and are dedicated to promoting an interest in all aspects of the history and heritage of Cambridge. (Submitted on September 8, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

Oldest House Itself image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, June 2, 2011

3. Oldest House Itself

Located several blocks west of the marker, Cambridge’s oldest house is at 21 Linnaean Street. Today it is called the Cooper-Frost-Austin House.

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, July 12, 2025

4. Oldest House in Cambridge Marker

This marker is still present at its original location on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Linnaean Street, but it is in very poor condition and in need of restoration.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,638 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on December 9, 2025, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.