Captain Charles A. Ranlett House
Captain Charles A. Ranlett House
Captain Charles A. Ranlett's house was seen on the 1853 map, and it was his primary residence from at least 1862 onward. Tradition has it that the interior of the house was designed to resemble that of a ship. Captain Ranlett (1804-1878) followed the sea for over forty years. He was widely and favorably known in commercial circles for his connection with the China trade. He was a skillful sailor, his favorite ship, the "Surprise", having made the shortest passage on record at that time from Shanghai to New York City in eighty-two days. The many treasures which he brought from China were on display at the home of his grandson Col. Charles A. Ranlett at 305 Concord Road at the Billerica Open House in 1949. He also participated in the Mexican War and in the debates in the United States Senate regarding the protest against the injustice of seizing free colored seamen in the Southern States. In addition he was an officer for the Narrow Gauge Railroad in Billerica in 1878.
In 1994, the house was razed as it was not able to be restored and preserved. The residential development of Captain's Way sits on most of the old property.