In the early 1900s, Cape Cod Jelly Houses were a charming and familiar sight along roadsides throughout the region. These dollhouse-style roadside stands were part of a unique franchise started by Theodore Clifton of West Barnstable, who founded Cape Cod Jellies. This company once offered over 50 varieties of homemade jellies and preserves.

Each Jelly House was built in a distinctive, uniform style and served as a whimsical retail outlet for selling jellies to travelers and locals alike. At the peak of its popularity, Cape Cod Jellies became a beloved symbol of local flavor and roadside entrepreneurship.

Following World War II, many Jelly Houses fell into disuse or were repurposed. The Jelly House at the Osterville Historical Museum was relocated to a garden setting and transformed into a children’s playhouse, where it continues to delight young visitors and serve as a nostalgic reminder of Cape Cod’s roadside history.