The Age of Victorian Architecture
The reign of Britain’s Queen Victoria lasted from 1837 to 1901. American Victorian architecture that appeared from 1860 to 1900 can then subdivided into several subtypes. What made these grandiose homes possible was the growth of the railroad. With the dawning of industrialization, lumber, doors, windows, roofing, siding and the decorative trim that defines Victorians could be massed produced and affordably moved to other parts of the country by rail. The era also ushered in a new building technique known as the “balloon frame,” which was composed of lighter lumber held together by nails – the default system still used today. Before balloon framing, constructing a house required building the internal structure from heavy timbers. Victorian influences stem from Medieval house types and bridge the gap between old styles like Georgian and what was to come – the modern styles of Craftsmen and Prairie. Formal, ornate, and meticulously crafted, Victorians have survived and been restored in locations across the country. Victorian lovers delve deeper into the home’s styles by looking at popular sub-types including
Stick
which can be identified by raised trim work.
Second Empire
is the Victorian style with a mansard roof.
Folk
Victorians show up as farm dwellings and the shotgun houses in New Orleans. Gracious
Queen Anne
styles typically welcome visitors to grand scale front porches.
Shingle
style can be identified by their exterior cladding and were popular in coastal locations.
Richardsonian Romanesque
features towers and massive arches over doors and windows. While people generally associate Victorians with wood construction, brick was also used, as seen here. Say what you will about authentic
Victorian architecture,
ostentatious, romantic, overblown, regal, ornate, or aristocratic - it definitely has a point of view.
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