Shingle Style - 1880 to 1900

Home at 36 West Street is a beautiful example of this style.

The Shingle Style borrowed from a number of earlier architectural styles including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Romanesque. It is shown with continuous wood shingles on the walls and the roof, no corner boards, a steeply pitched roofline with intersecting cross gables and extensive porches. All elements we have previously seen. What it does not show are elaborate decorations on doors, windows, cornices, porches or wall surfaces. Still asymmetrical in shape the style aims at creating an enclosure for a complex shape. Details, where present, enhance the irregular shape or the uniformity of its surface. Along with its cousins it was a uniquely American adaptation of earlier traditions. It was a high fashion architect style that did not suit itself to massed vernacular housing.

The style began and peaked in the seaside resorts of the northeastern United States. These were the fashionable destinations of the well to do with their architect-designed cottages. While it did become popular in the rest of the country it was never as popular as Queen Anne and examples are not seen much beyond the coastal United States. Noted architects associated with Shingle style are H.H. Richardson and McKim, Mead and White.

Not a seaside resort surely but Fairport was not to be outdone here. The former Levi Deland home located at the corner of North Main Street and Whitney Road was a stunning example of Shingle style that could compete with any seacoast mansion. It was torn down in the 1970's to make way for the Baptist Homes.

Characteristic Details of the Shingle Style

Form

Asymmetrical and looking very much like Queen Anne with steeply pitched, hipped and cross gabled roofs at either the side or the front, sometimes with full or half towers. A popular variation is the gambrel roof. Dormers were popular and are seen with an eyebrow, shed or gable roof.

Porch

Wide and deep porches run across the full facade, often extending around the sides. Classical paired porch supports are seen but the most popular is a plain support and balustrade. Masonry, rusticated stone and shingled supports are seen in this style also.

Windows

Multi pane on the upper half of the window and strips of three or more are common, as well as bay windows and walls that curve into windows.