US Architecture in the 18th Century

How We Built Houses Back Then

You do not have to be a professional designer, architect or even a historian to appreciate and recognize the value of unique constructions such as housings, installations, buildings or monuments, and sculptures. The same logic follows housing; it is not obligatory to be into history to value old homes and appreciate them for the story they pass on.
The United States is marked by contemporary architecture; tall skyscrapers, a lot of glass and elegant lines. This type of building became our trademark, and it attracts millions of tourists every year.
While colonial years brought much stress and suppression to our nation, they also shaped the identity of our country. Settlers culturally enriched America, and that is very obvious in building styles of that time. England had the biggest architectural influence in all 13 colonies, but there are other styles too. Today, these buildings remain tourists attractions and benefit to the US.

Here are some examples of housing styles in the 18th century (courtesy of Ranger Roofing of Oklahoma, the top roofing contractor in Tulsa, OK):

Poteaux-en-Terre Style

Poteaux end Terre styles is a result of French influence. Few housings represent this building style, and the best example is the Bequette Ribault house in Missouri. The house was built somewhere around 1778, and it features French building properties such as vertical logs made of wood that is dug into porches. Porches take an important, focal point of the house. Huse also has a french, double pitched style roof. The entire Mississippi River is filled with examples of French architecture.

Dutch Style Homes

Less often but unique are homes built in the Dutch style. The most famous example of that is the Bronck House located in a village of Coxsackie in the city of New York. It was constructed in 1883, and it is more than just a Dutch style housing; it is the oldest structure in the upper part of New York City. Dutch Style homes possess steep gambrel roof that allows an additional space and look like cottages.

German Colonial Building Style

Germans came to the US relatively late in the 1600s and 1800s. They paved their way into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and New York and began spreading their building style rapidly. Their popular homes were called bank houses; they featured thick walls to isolate winter temperatures and boiling summers. There are two particularly interesting examples of the German colonial architecture, and those are the Turck House in Penny built in 1767 and the Beyer-Muma home that dates back to 1740.

Spanish Colonial Architectural Style

Spanish colonial architecture began leaved trades in St. Augustine, Florida. Colonists began building unique dwellings known as board houses. Board homes were types of cottages with only one room that was protected by a thatched roofing system. Popular and authentic example of the Spanish architecture is the Gonzalez-Alvarez house in Florid that derives from 1723. Today, "Spanish architecture" became a synonym for big properties with warm colors, yards, fountains, and carvings.

Therefore, the US has much more to provide with that just glass skyscrapers (which are also incredible). All these examples of styles are proof that our country has an abundance of stories to tell and that our mixed cultural heritage brings the best out of our nation.