The following examples illustrate the most common architectural styles found in Crestwood. Many of the buildings in the neighborhood actually are simplified, or vernacular, versions of these more ornate styles. Typical of American architecture, many buildings exhibit elements from several styles. The stylistic features identified in these samples are examples of the kinds of distinctive elements that should be preserved when you rehabilitate a house.

	Click on Link below for details/photos of each style:
	18th /19th Century Vernacular (1740-1840)
	Federal (1800-1840)
	Greek Revival (1840-1860)
	Victorian   (1840-1900)
	-Second Empire   (1855-1890)
	- Italianate (1860-1890)
	- Folk Victorian (1870-1910)

	- Queen Anne (1880-1900)
	American Foursquare (1900-1930)
	Tudor Revival (1890-1940)
	- Cotswold Cottage
	Bungalow (1920-1940)
	Colonial Revival (1900-1940)
	- Dutch Colonial
	Modern (1910-Present)

18th/19th Century Vernacular (1740-1840)

Many of the earliest dwellings in Crestwood reflect the simple building traditions of the area. Houses were constructed frequently of log and then were clad in wood clapboards. Forms are rectangular with simple gable roofs and tall brick chimneys. Windows are small compared to wall area and have patterns of six-over-six or six-over-nine panes. Entries are usually small porticos with the occasional full-width porch. Most late-eighteenth-century houses in Crestwood are vernacular in form. None remain purely unadulterated from later additions or modifications. (Pictured: Abigail Sherwood's House, c.1774, 85 Carpenter Avenue).

         Federal (1800-1840)

Brick became the popular material in the early nineteenth century. Crestwood's several examples of the Federal style share common characteristics such as symmetrical facades with central entryways (often under small porticos), tall interior end chimneys, hipped roofs, and simple classical cornices. Fanlights and sidelights often surround six-panel doors (Pictured: ).

Greek Revival (1840-1860)

 

 

 

 

Although similar to the Federal style in overall appearance, Greek Revival-style houses introduced several new changes such as paired windows, often with decorative surrounds. Roofs are hipped or gable and occasionally have a central gable or pediment in the entry bay. Porticos are usually one story and classically designed with pilasters and columns, although some have monumental two-story porticos gracing their facades (Pictured:Underhill-Reynolds House, c.1811, 582 Scarsdale Road).

Victorian (1840 - 1900)

While early Victorian structures were relatively simple in style, those built after the Civil War became more complicated. Styles were combined almost on a whim. The end result was often a stunning visual effect.  Fueled by new industrial society, the building styles of post-Civil War America were elaborate and flamboyant. What is now collectively called "Victorian" the architecture is made up of several main styles. These include Italianate, Second Empire, Stick-Eastlake, and Queen Anne. Generally, Italianate style structures have flat roof lines, corniced eaves, angled bay windows and Corinthian-columned porches. Stick-Eastlake structures often include square bays, flat roof lines and free-style decorations. Queen Annes often display gabled roofs, shingled insets, angled bay windows under the gable and, on occasion, a tower.

 

Second Empire (1855-1890)

 

 

 

 

Second Empire was a Victorian style which imitated a French building fashion. While details will vary, Second Empire buildings may be recognized by their often steep, boxy mansard roofs. In the United States, the style was popular from about 1855 through the 1880s. In Crestwood, this is one of the rarer Victorian styles. In the United States, government buildings in the Second Empire style may resemble the elaborate French designs. Private homes, however, often have an Italianate flavor. Like Italianate buildings, a Second Empire house may have U-shaped window crowns, decorative brackets, single story porches and an overall square shape. But, Italianate houses have much wider eaves... and they do not have the distinctive mansard roof characteristic of the Second Empire style. Other features of this style include: Cupolas; patterned slate on roof; wrought iron cresting above cornices; paired columns; tall first story windows; small entry porches. (Picture: Fischer-Oforo House, c.1890, 50 Crestwood Avenue.)

Italianate (1860-1890)

 

 

 

 

 

Adapted from picturesque Italian residential examples, derivations of this style often exhibit shallow hipped roofs, the trademark bracketed cornice, and decorative brickwork, often in the form of segmental arches over openings. Partial-or-full-length from porches ornate facades and usually have bracketed supports and cornices and sawn millwork balusters. This is one of the rarer styles found in Crestwood (Pictured: Diamond-Brennan House, c.1890, 175 Hollywood Avenue).

Folk Victorian (1870-1910)

 

 

 

 

 

Another of Crestwood's popular dwelling forms, the Folk Victorian was very popular because of its modest costs and simple construction using balloon framing. It had various plans, similar to the Italianate, with a central-hall I-house form, an "L" or "T" shaped plan and a side-passage town-house plan. Wood clapboards (often grooved German siding) sheathe these houses which are covered with hipped or gable roofs. Decoration is limited to sawn millwork on porches or occasionally on decorative gables or cornices (Pictured: xxx Pennsylvania Avenue).

Queen Anne (1880-1900)

These dwellings, commonly known as "Victorian", are characterized by a complex roof, vertical proportions, asymmetrical facades, and a wrap- around porch. More elaborate examples are richly decorated with brackets, balusters, window surrounds, bargeboards, and other sawn millwork and use a variety of surface materials like shingles, wood siding, and brick. Roof turrets, decorative tall brick chimneys, and a variety of gable forms highlight the skylines of the large-scale residences. Smaller examples have a simpler form and vertical proportions (Pictured: 100 Pennsylvania Avenue, c.1888).

American Foursquare (1900-1930)

Another common form found in Crestwood in both large-scale and smaller, simpler versions is the American Foursquare. It has a trademark hipped roof with a deep overhang, a dominant central dormer, and a full-width front porch, often with classical details. Its name comes from its square shape and four-room plan. Many versions of this house were sold in prefabricated form from companies like Sears, Roebuck and Company (Pictured: no sample yet).