INTRODUCTION TO PERIOD STYLES: During the late 1800s, European-trained architects designed highstyle period houses for the wealthy. Each period style identifies specifically with an architecture of an earlier period and place: either early American or European precedents. Several popular period styles are included on these web sites, though other, less common period styles also appeared. During this time (mostly between 1900 and 1929), accuracy of styles became important once again, unlike Queen Anne style, which borrowed from a variety of sources. Most Important, period styles look to the past for inspiration. The trend toward period architecture gained momentum from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the Columbian Exposition, where historical interpretations of European styles were encouraged. Simultaneous to the rise of period-style architecture, the modern era saw its beginnings with architects who were instead looking to the future, not the past, with more progressive, modernist styles. Thus defines the eclectic movement of the early 20th century, which consisted of a simultaneous and perhaps competing interest in both modern and historic architectural traditions.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND FEATURES: Neoclassical (or Neoclassical Revival) became a dominant style for domestic buildings nationwide between 1900-1940s. It was directly inspired by the Beaux-Arts style and the Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair, 1893). The style tends to include the features of: classical symmetry, full-height porch with columns and temple front, and various classical ornament such as dentil cornices. Basically, this is the revival of the Greek Revival style that dominated the first half of the 19th century..

PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)

1. Lincoln, IL. County courthouse.
2. Las Vegas, NM. Bank building.
3. University of Illinois campus, Urbana, IL.
4. Lewistown, PA.
5. Roswell, NM. Chavez county courthouse.
6. Lewistown, PA. The Embassy Theater, c.1926 (I think).
7. Bisbee/Warren, AZ. House with Neoclassical portico.
8. Madison, IN. City Hall.
9. Williams, AZ. AT&SF Depot (with Harvey House). Renovated and used today by the revived Grand Canyon Railway.
10. Fresno, CA. Theater.
11. Kingman, AZ. County Courthouse.
12. Urbana, IL. University of Illinois campus. Davenport Hall, home of the Department of Geography.
13. Champaign, IL. University of Illinois football stadium, under renovation around 1993. Its official name is "Memorial Stadium," built as a memorial to World War I veterans.
14. Ashville, NC.
15. Branford, CT. Public Library, c.1893. This is the same year as Chicago's Columbian Exposition which stimulated interest in neoclassical and other period styles. Could the style have diffused that quickly into a New England small town? Regardless, this is the date, in roman numerals, found on the temple front of the building.
16. Hendersonville, NC. Henderson County Courthouse.
17. St. Louis, MO. c.1908.
18. St. Louis, MO. Closeup of neoclassical entryway on house in photo 17.
19. St. Louis, MO. Row of neoclassical and other period-style townhouses, nextdoor to house in photos 17 and 18.
20. St. Louis, MO.
21. Williams, AZ. Bank building, now a gift store along old U.S. Route 66.
22. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park.
23. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park. Old High School.
24-25. Savannah, GA. c.1903. Facing Forsyth Park.
26. Durango, CO.
27. Silverton, CO.
28. Silverton, CO. City Hall, renovated after fire.
29-36. San Antonio, TX. Monte Vista Historic District neighborhood. This seemed to be a very popular style during the 1920s, perhaps given San Antonio's southern cultural roots.
37-38. San Antonio, TX. King William Historic District neighborhood.