49 South Street ranks among the town's finest mid 19th-century, Italianate houses. This clapboard, L-shaped building rises 2 1/2 stories to a wide gable with return, boxed eaves and large, saw-cut brackets. Much of its charm is derived from its open porch, which wraps around its sides and street facades. The porch eaves are decorated with scalloped, Carpenter Gothic bargeboards. Entrances are located on the sides. In the center of its street' facade is a tall, multipane window. The second story has paired, round-headed windows with hood moldings, and a small pair of similar windows appears at attic level.