Ornate, charming, mysterious, elaborate. Many of these words may be used to describe Victorian architecture. But why is a style Victorian? You may be surprised to locate that, not just one, however, many variations of architecture are thought Victorian. Almost any home built during or soon after the reign of England’s Queen Victoria (1840-1900) can be viewed as Victorian.
Using the Industrial Revolution (late 1700’s – early 1800’s) getting introduced about new machines permitting mass production and also the railroads getting improved transportation nationwide, an average joe was finally capable of getting the types of materials they required for building fancier and much more interesting homes. This availability brought towards the variety of styles we describe as Victorian. Probably the most notable styles define “Victorian” style architecture are Queen Anne, Second Empire, Italianate, and Stick-Eastlake.
Queen Anne – Probably the most broadly recognized Victorian styles within the Southern and Western areas of the U . s . States is Queen Anne. Characterised by wide wrap-around porches, multiple balconies and chimneys, round “tower-like” structures, and enormous bay home windows, these homes are what the majority of us visualize whenever we consider Victorian architecture. This “gingerbread” type of home can also be recognized for its layouts composed of several tales.
Second Empire – Named because of its notable French elements as with the time of the Second French Empire, this architectural style is viewed more within the Northeast and Midwest. Popular for public structures and condition institutions, characteristics of the style incorporate a rectangular tower having a short and steep mansard roof. The crest from the mansard roof was frequently capped with iron trim or even a lightning fishing rod. These include that old Executive Building in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia City Hall.
Italianate – Within the mid to late 1800’s, the Italianate style started appearing in homes within the Midwest, the New England, and also the Bay Area area. Inspired by Italian Renaissance characteristics, Italianate style homes have bay home windows in-front tall, narrow home windows and towers, and small chimneys in rather odd locations. Your Garden District of recent Orleans contains many fine types of this style.
Stick-Eastlake – Found predominantly within the Northeast, Stick homes are decorative although not excessively ornate. They often include steeply pitched roofs with overhangs, wooden shingles since the exterior roof and walls, and squared bay home windows. Crown detailing can be found across the roof peaks. More stylized and ornamental versions from the Stick style are often known as Eastlake.
Although some architects today still borrow ideas from all of these styles to produce a present day Victorian home, most Victorian style architecture has turned into a relic of history. In certain communities you’ll find neighborhoods full of superbly restored historic Victorian homes. Many have grown to be bed and breakfasts, places of economic, or just historic sites for that public to see.
There are many communities through the country noted for superbly restored or preserved Victorian architecture. To illustrate Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where you will find the biggest variety of such architecture within the central U . s . States. The whole capital of scotland- Eureka Springs is on the National Registry of Historic Places, due largely partly to the upkeep of their historic Victorian architecture.
