Professionals
in the mid-19th century saw the U.S., with its democratic principles, as the spiritual successor of ancient Greece.
During the 1840s, ancient Greek culture inspired architecture
and place names, such as Athens, Sparta, and Ithaca, especially in Upstate New York.
Because Eau Claire was settled after the Greek Revival was popular, the city has
few examples.
The example shown was built by a banker. The most easily identified features of Greek temple-front buildings are columns and pilasters, bold and simple moldings, pedimented gables, and heavy cornices with unadorned friezes.
Although an early 19th century style, the two-story high columns of
the Greek Revival continue to be used, as in this brick version from the
late 1960s built by a dentist.
at least two -- more commonly four -- columns in the front,
two-stories high
columns and
pilasters
bold and simple
moldings
pedimented gables
heavy cornices with unadorned
friezes 
