Mystery House #2
Victorian Mystery

About The House       Reader Responses

Can You Name The Style?

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About The House

These photos come from Kevin Coyle in Dixon, Illinois, which is 100 miles west of Chicago. Kevin has been a regular in our architecture chat room, and this handsome older home has become a topic of controversy. Kevin writes:

The home is now 107 years old, we are the 5th owner,(the last 2 only owned it for a combined total of 2 years). We had the pleasure of meeting the grandson of the second owner, he said the house had not been changed beyond the addition of the 2nd floor bath. 3 and 4 just spent hoards of money re-doing woodwork, carpet, tile and divorces (grin). I'm working on the 12 layers of paint on the outside, (my labor is cheap).

Kevin says that the more he reads and researches, the less sure he is what to call his home. A number of homes in his town share many of the same features. The house, is of course, a Victorian... But what's the style?

Notice the geometric shapes in the trimwork...

 

Also note the decorative gable truss.

 

Here's a side view of the house.

 

Here's a view of the dining room. Note the oak columns and ceiling beams.

Can you name the design influences reflected in this home?  Use this easy form to send your comments and ideas.