Modern-day Cape Cod homes may be found in practically every corner of North America, and they are based on the rough architecture of colonial New England. The design is straightforward, almost rudimentary, with a rectangular footprint and a gable-pitched roof. But even though it may look easy to build, a colonial home requires considerable skill and expertise to create a structure that will stand for many years to come. Cape Cods were not originally built as vacation homes. They were usually made up of several rooms with a central hallway and a back porch. Over time, these homes became synonymous with beauty and luxury, and today they are prized by people all over the world. Although modern builders continue to produce quality homes, it is hard to find someone who would want to live in one of these structures during the winter months. But despite this fact, a Cape Cod remains a popular choice for new homes because of its simplicity and ease of construction. The first houses on Cape Cod were built by Europeans who came here looking for economic opportunity. At first, these homes were little more than shacks made out of wood and canvas, but over time, they were replaced by better-built versions of the original structures. By 1835, there were enough residents living on the coast that the government issued a warning not to build your house too close to the water because of the risk of flooding.