The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-06-16
IDEAS IN BUILDING HOUSES
The Changes Observed in the Architect
ural and Interior Finish of Homes.
Certain Plans Prevail for q Long Period to Be
Followed by Others Suggested by Demand
for C0nyeniences and characterization.

OCAuS CACCPtlOndI III tuio 1CSdAos AO n
stance, however, has o~rnamentation or i'm
provement in design been made at the ex-
pense of that convenient arrangement
which characterized former periods, and
the observer cannot fail to realize that the
one is keeping pace with the other, even in
the smaller structures which are properly
denOminated cottages. While this is true
of dwellings in general, it is equally true of
entire localities in the north and northeast
sections of the city. and the lines marking
the past two or three decades in building
are as distinct when considered by streets
as when seen in the structures themselves.
indianapolis is not SO old but many of her
residence properties erected in the ante
bellum days still remain, and, while the
majority of these have undergone changes.
enough remains to designate them as be-
longing to q period separate and distinct
from those which have followed. Nearly all
1870, forinstance, Observation-Disclosures
either of frame or of brick, possessing the
same general features, but always without
angles or breaks in the front or side eleva-
tions. To look at one of these the eye of
the beholder must follow a wall broken
only by doors and windows, while the l.,
presenting a continuous line with one of
tho sides, differs from it only in height. 1t
was during this decade, or shortly before,
that necessity brought about an important
change in this class of buildings. The erec-
ton of buildings on contiguous and narrow
lots shut of the view from the street, ex-
cept at the front, and led to the addition of
a projecting window. which not only aft
forded light, but gave from the back rooms
a view of the street in front. Thus the bay
window, which has now become so COM
mon and so ornamental, came into exist
ence, and many of the older houses were
remOdeled to suit the prevailing style and
secure the convenience which it afforded.
The brick residences with frame bay
windows, SO common in some parts of the
city, attest the fact that they are later
additions.
The Proofs of such houses were made
simply for protection, and were barren of
characterization. They generally came down
to a box cornice in front, and not .infre-
quently extended from the four sides of
thus avoiding the gable, which at that
time was not regarded as a thing of beauty.
In fact, the gable was avoided if possible.
and whenever 1t appeared 1T was always on
the sides. and never in front. The dormer
window was then used only upon the rear
it from the street. As 1T is derived from the
Latin verb dormire. Ito sleep" so the win
dow was used only for sleeping apartments,
where ventilationl and light could not be
otherwise had. Though there were excep-
lions to the interior OF this class of resi-
dence properties, the same general features
prevailed. The rooms were always COM
modious, and a hall extended either on one
side or between the rooms on either side,
according to the taste of the builder. But
windows, and rarely over seven or
eight feet wide. and their only use
was to afford a passway and. contain. the
being no glass in the front door. light was
afforded by transom around and above the
door, but at best 1t was o dark room n
prsetically useless when compared with its
cost, for the stairway made 1T the most
costly room in the dwelling. If the hall
was in the center of the house, a similar
space was wasted on the upper floor, but if
on the side. it was utilized by having q
small room, usually called an alcove and
still in common use. This waste soon led
porch was substituted. the front room be-
ing entered by a doOr directly from the
porch, and the rear rooms from a similar
door on the side, while a back stairway,
costing comparatively a tri1e, served the
purpose for which the more costly one in
the front hall had been used. But still the
general features. with this exception. re-
manned the same. Occasionally the front
and back parlOrs were connected by sliding
OF folding doors, but the rule was to have
the chimney between these two rooms and
connect them with an ordinary door.
Still another class of houses common to
this period was the L-shaped front, con-
sisting of aparlor below and q sleeping
room above, the entrance being into a hall
which separated the rear, both above and
below, from the two front rooms. This
hall, like the others, was SO much waste,
and, besides, increased the cost of heating,
as the chimney served only the room below
and the one above, and, the hall interven-
lied for the ones in the rear of the domicile.
This class of houses is seen in all the older
residence portions of the city, and is cOn-
tempOraneous with the side and middle
hall structures of the period ~antedating the
seventies.. Though nearly all of this class
of houses have been remodeled In some re-
spects, large glass being substituted for the
small panes OF thirty years ago, ornamental
verandas being erected, bay windows
added and front doors changed to conform
that distinctive feature in all which marks
the line between them and the present and
more popular design.
From 1870 to the present time changes
nave Deo0 radical anu numerous. Inc frSG
most noticeable is in the numerous angles,
projections and curves which are now
found in every modern house. The idea
that a break or offset in the face of a struct-
ure was unnecessary to the beauty of the
residence has given place to the opposite
in this regard. and the extreme is sought.
The dormer window. which always had it's
position or the roof, has been brought
prominently forward and now occupies q
position in front as conspicuous as the ga
Bile, which was also s~tudiOusly avoided by
our fathers. Ornamental fret-work, round
ing or pointed shingles, round or oblong
windows. and elaborate and highly orna-
mental gable scrolls have taken the place
of the plain front of other days, and present
an exterior that renders an attractive and
pleasing picture. The roof has been changed
from an aggregation of rafters and shingles,
designed only to protect. to a number of
projections, rising up here and there. and
each presenting an ornamental face and,
generally, containing a small window
that admits light into an attic, the
whole making q pleasing contrast to
the roofs of less modern structures.
Looking at one of these residences from the
front elevation. and whether 1t be a cottage
or a ten-room house the exterior is frequent
front doors made of quartered oak, hand
somely carved, beaded and paneled, and
with large French plate-glass surrounded
by a number of smaller plate or cathedral
glass, according to the taste of the designer.