Railroad Home
"I am sure there are a lot of old funeral homes which required wide doors, but a lot of other homes had double doors also. I have heard plenty of stories about double doors, coffins and 'waking the dead' at home. But I think the best explanation for most of these double doors lies in the fact that many front doors, especially in city rowhouses, opened to narrow halls or tiny vestibules which would not accommodate a single, larger door. Form follows function and it soon became fashionable even for houses with larger halls.
"I think your house is a simple, vernacular form of the Greek Revival. A good example of which is Lincoln's house in Springfield, Illinois.
From Don M.:
"Victor is correct that there are numerous older homes with the double door configuration. Central PA where I live has many of them. I understand that some older houses did have a "Casket Door" but these were often smaller and off in a corner of the room and not in line with the main entrance. These were normal residences but the door was provided to move a casket in and out of the front room where the deceased family member lay "In State" during viewing hours or the wake. Most of the double doored houses I have seen do not have a center front hall. The double doors functioned as the main everyday entrance to the working side of the home and the other was a guest entrance into the best front parlor and was only used on special occasions such as when the minister came to call. The best parlor was kept closed with the shades drawn except during the visit.!"
From Victor:
"You basically answered your own question by stating that the house was built to house railroad workers. These men were transients, and most lived out of steamer trunks. Taking everything they owned with them from location to location. So a house built to house these workers would normally have two doors to allow the easy bringing in and taking out of large trunks. If you visit homes in New England, you will see a lot of very old home that have the two door front entrance, upon inquiring about the origin of many of these houses, you will be amazed to see that a large number of these homes started out as mortuaries or funeral homes. And we all know you need a lot of room to take a casket out to the waiting hearse!"
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