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Railroad Home

House Style Workshop: Railroad Home

By , About.com Guide

This simple home was constructed for railroad workers in the mid-1800s. What style is it?

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Home for Railroad Workers

Home for Railroad Workers

Photo courtesy of the homeowner
Charles from New Jersey, USA sends us this house style challenge:
"My home in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey was built in 1845. It was built to house railroad workers who were constructing the Central Railroad of NJ.

It has two portions which form the current 'L' shape. The original part was rectangular and had two floors (+ attic & basement). The size of this building was 25' long by 16' deep. There were two front doors (on center) and each floor had only two rooms, one on the left and one on the right. The picture shows the front (original portion) of the house and the one remaining door (notice it is off-center).

I see many of these long but narrow houses with two doors in my area and wanted to know if there is a name for the style. "

Have you seen other houses similar to this? How would you describe the style?
Send your comments and ideas... and read what others have to say about the house.

Clues:
Find photos of similar homes in A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia McAlester and Lee McAlester. Hint: Remember that this home was built during the expansion of the railroads.
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