Italianate Style
Architecture in the Lily of the Valley Historic District (1850-1880)
The Towers Bed & Breakfast (Circa 1865)
330 South Street
The Italianate style dominated American houses between 1850-1880. The style
was common in expanding towns and cities in Midwest, and still-growing older
cities in Northeast. Least common in the South. Very common in San Francisco.
Style began in England as part of the picturesque (Romantic) movement: a
reaction to formal classical ideas. Emphasized rambling, Italian farmhouses. In
U.S., houses followed the informal, rural models of picturesque movement.
Modified for use as typical "main street" commercial architecture in Midwest.
Popularized by Andrew Jackson Downing, 1840s, 1850s, with Gothic Revival. By
1860s, Italianate overshadowed Gothic Revival as most popular style.
Usually 2 or 3 stories, rarely 1 story; low-pitched roof, widely overhanging
eaves; large, decorative brackets beneath eaves; tall, narrow windows, commonly
arched or curved above; some with square cupola or tower (campanile), elaborate
wrap-around porch (or smaller entry porch) with decorative Italianate double
columns and other details.
Italianate commercial design
appears throughout the business area of the Ridgway Historic District in
addition to the Italianate domestic style seen throughout the residential areas.
