SECOND EMPIRE HOUSING STYLES

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

• Also called the French second empire style or mansard style
• Popular in 1860s through 1870s
• Used in northeastern and Midwestern part of the county
• Started in France, and chosen during the region of Napoleon III
• This spread to England to the United States.

Best example of this style is the Philadelphia city hall built in 1871-1881.

Another example is capital city in Washington DC across from the White House called the ten wick gallery bumpy James Renwick.

It was named for the architectural elements in vogue.

In the USA, the leading architects working the style was Alfred B. Mullett in the 17th century roots.

FEATURES

• Mansard roof and patterned shingle roof
• Iron roof crest and decorative window surrounds and dormers
• Eaves with brackets and one story porch
• Tower and quoins
• Balustrades

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The mansard roof is the key identifying feature of this style and was considered both a fashionable and functional element since it created a fully usable attic space.

Second style empire was so commonly employed in that era that it was sometimes referred to as the general grant style.

Second empire structures were generally built in the more affluent regions of the country.

REASOURCES

• http://historicbuildingsct.com/?page_id=1398
• http://www.uwec.edu/geography/ivogeler/w367/styles/s40.htm
• http://www.antiquehomesmagazine.com/info.php?info_id=19
• http://www.eneiawhite.com/2011/08/mansard-second-empire-tribute.html
• http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/late_victorian_per...