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


Second Empire (1860s-1880s) 

STYLES MENU
(In roughly chronological order)

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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. Feel free to use this copyrighted mini-guide for leading or taking educational tours in your area. Compliments of the author. (Rave reviews from my own students! - Tom)

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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IDENTIFYING FEATURES: Basically Italianate style/forms with Mansard roof!! Dormer windows, sometimes a square (not round) tower, decorative brackets, molded cornice, similar to Italianate detail on windows, doors; Floor plan often includes pavilions: outward projection of a building's center or side.

BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION: The first true style of the Victorian era in the U.S. (roughly 1860-1900). Style was most popular in the Northeast, Midwest; rare in the South. Also known as the "General Grant style": used during the Grant administration for public buildings. Historical context: Style named for the reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870), who undertook a major building campaign to transform Paris into a city of grand boulevards and monumental buildings - copied throughout Europe and North America. Napoleon's famous project: enlargement of the Louvre (1852-1857), reintroduced the Mansard roof, developed in 1600s Renaissance by Francois Mansart. Style diffused from France to England to U.S.

PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)

1. Bellefonte, PA. Basically, Second Empire architecture is Italianate style with a Mansard roof. This and all buildings on this site include these features. Often includes pavilions (part of a building projecting somewhat from the rest), square towers, assymetrical massing.
2. Madison, IN. Masonic Building, c.1871.
3. Effingham, IL. County Courthouse.
4. Bellefonte, PA.
5. Bellefonte, PA. Brockerhoff Hotel.
6. Ashville, NC. Probably 1970s. During the 1970s and 80s, the Mansard roof became popular once again, especially for auto-oriented apartments and commercial buildings along America's newer commercial strips. Some critics refer to it as the "revenge of the Mansard". You can see them on nearly any Wendy's or McDonalds restaurants as well, among others.
7-10. Branford, CT. Four variations of the Second Empire house, all including a Mansard roof.
11. Savannah, GA. c.1886. Excellent example of pavilions (projecting parts of building) and Mansard roof.
12. Savannah, GA. c.1872.
13-14. Durango, CO. Main Street
15. Silverton, CO.
16. Ouray, CO. The Beaumont, c.1886.
17-18. Boston, MA. Back Bay. Second-Empire style town houses with characteristic bay windows and Mansard roof.
19. La Salle, IL. Hegeler Carus Mansion, c. 1876, with full Second-Empire form, styling and Mansard roof. Photo donated by Sharon Wagenknecht, Executive Director of the Hegeler Carus Foundation which operates the property as a house museum and maintains a detailed Web site. Photo by Nels Akerlund. This structure was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2007.