Italianate

Inspired by rural Italy and introduced by way of England, the Italianate was a national style in the U.S. by the 1850s and immensely popular up to the Civil War.  Eau Claire has only a few very simple Italianate houses, but Chippewa Falls has many very elaborate versions of this style.  This style was also very popular in commercial architecture during the Victorian era.

What is architecturally distinctive about this house?

photo to be added

Most Italianate houses have these features:

• 2-3.5 stories

• low, hipped roofs

• overhanging eaves

• rounded-headed windows with hood moldings

• arched porches

• balustraded balconies

Created by Randall Conklin, June 10, 1997