Part 2 of The Origin of Home Styles Series. 
Visit the Origin of the Tudor Style Home and The Origin of the Cape Cod style homes for more on this series

--  The Origin of the Stick Style Victorian --

I had fun researching and writing about the Origin of the Tudor Style Home  and decided to do some research on another type of  beautiful home that I have listed for sale.

The home I am referring to is a historic home located in Wrightsville Boro, York County PA.  The style had me stumped a bit.  Was it victorian?  Was it colonial?  It didn't look quite like a Federal... or did it?  All I knew for sure was that it was built right before the historic "burning of the bridge" that took place in Wrightsville PA, which played a major role in the turn of events during the Civil War. When the Confederate army reached Wrightsville (which was a point of crossing into Lancaster County and towards Philadelphia) the Union militia burned the mile-long bridge, thrwarting the advances of the Confederates. Wrightsville is located just about 40 miles East of Gettysburg, where the largest Civil War battle took place, so you can imagine how important this Wrightsville battle was at the time.

As I was researching I came across a photo of a home with a certain description .... and BINGO!!  THAT WAS IT!

I present to you -- the "Stick Style Victorian".  This is also many times referred to as the "plain" victorian, because it lacks some of the features that ornate Victorian homes are typically known for.  Yet, it has distinct features of its own that really stand out, and there is nothing really "plain" about it! 

A "stick style Victorian" was mainly popular during the period between 1860-1890, when homebuilders realized that they can build a great home out of 2x4's and flat banding strips of wood.  Some early homes may appear quite rare these days because many of these homes have been covered up with siding as they have aged, and have hidden the discriminating signs of what indicates that they are a "stick style Victorian". 

These features include:

    •    Half-timbering - similar to the Tudor style
    •    Geometric lines and patterns
    •    Gables and Dormers

Unlike Tudors, the half-timbering found in Stick Style Victorian homes is "visual" only - meaning that they have the appearance of half-timbers but are just wooden pieces - sticks -  placed in geometric half-timber patterns on the wooden clapboard siding.  They aren't real timbers at all, but rather stick banding creating visual patterns! 

Patterns and Geometric lines are also visual - they are wooden and many times painted differently than the rest of the house, highlighting their appearance and creating visual patterns. 

Gables and Dormers are present, and they are enhanced by the visual patterns of the half-timbers and/or geometric patterns that are all stick-built.

The term "stick style victorian" was first named by Vincent Scully, who discovered that these homes were all influenced by American and English Gothic, Revival, Swiss chalets and German and French manors. 

Other tell-tale signs of a Stick Style Victorian:
    •    they are rectangular buildings
    •    they are made of wood siding, or clapboard
    •    the roofs are steep and gabled
    •    they have decorative trusses, braces, brakets
    •    half-timbering banding is visual or decorative, but not structural (unlike a true Tudor which is mainly structural)

After the Civil War, when the country started flourishing once again financially with the second industrial revolution and the restructuring of the country, the stick-style Victorian became a past fashion, perhaps even purposely forgotten because they were "plain".  Homes started to become more ornate, and the simple, "plain", stick-style Victorian was lost...

Until now...

Here, in historic Wrightsville Boro, is an authentic Stick Style Victorian available for sale.  This home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is a true gem.  The home is located in the historic district, where all of the homes in the 3 block area are remnants of the Civil War battleground that changed the course of history.  Cannon balls, perhaps those forged in the Michaux Forest iron furnaces, fell around this home.  But it still stands, a testament to the quality construction of it's time and a testament to our rich American history.

For more information on this special historic home for sale, visit http:112NThirdStreet.JeannieKontis.com. 

If you are in the market for a historic home for sale in Pennsylvania, you will not be disappointed with this lovely property - from the original softwood floors to the formal gardens and historic carriage home (even the outhouse still stands!).   The quick commute to Lancaster County, Harrisburg, York City and Baltimore is a bonus.

Details: 

Built: 1860
Importance: On the National Registry of Historic Places, Wrightsville Boro, York County PA.
Style: Stick-Style Victorian (early)
Bedrooms: 4
Baths:  1.5

Features:  Gourmet Kitchen, Softwood and Hardwood Floors, Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Family Room, zoned C/A and heat, historic Carriage House, outhouse (shed) and this lovely historic "round" porch in the rear formal gardens.

Asking:  $375,000

Contact:

Jeannie Kontis, Realtor
The Bob Wells Realty Group
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

717-330-5137
WWW.JeannieKontis.com
More photos and information at:  http://112N3rdStreet.JeannieKontis.com

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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.

All content Copyright ⓒ 2008 Jeannie Kontis    Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County