Dr. Tom Paradis
Director,
Office of Academic Assessment,
Professor, 

Dept. of Geography, Planning & Recreation

Northern Arizona University

All photos copyright by Thomas W. Paradis. Photos and Web sites may be used for educational purposes with appropriate reference.

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES of AMERICA


Folk Victorian (1880-1910) 

STYLES MENU
(In roughly chronological order)

HOME

COLONIAL STYLES

EARLY NATIONAL AND ROMANTIC STYLES  VICTORIAN-ERA STYLES PERIOD STYLES MODERN STYLES POSTMODERN STYLES

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PUBLICATIONS BY THE AUTHOR
(shameless plug for those interested)

Architectural Field Guide: A Crash Course.
May, 2007. FREE. Click here for 2-page pdf file. Use this to take or lead educational tours in your area. Small photos, but works great to quiz students while on walking tours.

My BLOG and Flickr Photostream. Travelevity.
This travel-writing blog includes more material on architectural history and geography beyond these web sites. Includes a link to my Flickr Photostream with more architecture photos. (Search for styles on Flickr using the "tags" option.)

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Homes Through American History. New Release, March 2008!
10-book, 4-volume set, 1492-present. Click on image below for more info.

Theme Town: A Geography of Landscape and Community in Flagstaff, AZ

Includes a geographical and architectural tour through Flagstaff, AZ. Published by iUniverse, 2003. Click on image below for author's supplemental web site and to browse contents.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
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16    17   18

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: Porches with spindlework detailing, L-shaped or gable-front plan, cornice brackets, details often with Italianate and/or Queen Anne inspiration, sometimes Gothic. Basically, working-class or middle-class versions of Queen Anne. Simpler details and basic, asymmetrical floor plans.

BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION: The spread of Folk Victorian (and other late 19th century styles) was made possible by railroads expanding into smaller towns and cities. Mass-produced wood features could be transported quickly and cheaply almost anywhere. Home builders often simply added trim and ornament to traditional folk houses. Older folk homes were often updated with new ornamentation, now available everywhere due to pattern books and mass production and sale of wood features. A very common style found in turn-of-the-century western towns settled during that time.

PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)

1. Flagstaff, AZ.
2. Prescott, AZ. Good example of a cantelievered gable over the bay window.
3. Silverton, CO.
4. Silverton, CO.

5. Tombstone, AZ.
6. Tombstone, AZ.
7. Las Vegas, NM.
8-9. Durango, CO. Minimalist folk houses, likely representing the pioneer era in the Colorado San Juans (these need more research, however). Small versions of the eastern "hall and parlor" folk house.
10-14. Durango, CO. Variations of the typical L-shaped layout of Folk Victorians.
15. Durango, CO. Bayles House, 1882.
16-17. Durango, CO.
18. Silverton, CO.