Architectural Styles

American Foursquare

Alt names / subperiods 

Timeline

Distinguishing Features

Geographic Presence

Transitional Period

Prairie Box

Foursquare

 

Wikipedia

1895-1939

  • Square, boxy design
  • practicality and simplicity
  • two-and-one-half stories high,
  • four large, boxy rooms to a floor
  • center dormer
  • large front porch with wide stairs
  • hipped roof
  • arched entries between common rooms
  • built-in cabinetry
  • Craftsman-style woodwork
  • Mail-order
  • USA
  • Canada

Common Building Types

Landmark buildings

Historic Accommodation Types

Accommodation Examples

  • Single family homes
  • affordable duplexes or triplexes
  • bungalows
  • Foursquare House in Oak Park Illinois
  • Craftsman Foursquare houses
  • Foursquare in Detroit
  • Prairie Foursquare
  • Bungalow Foursquare
  • American Foursquare in Philadelphia
  • Caroline Millward House in Maywood, Illinois
  • Dr. John H. Adair House in Owatonna, Minnesota
  • Wegeforth-Wucher house, Burlingame, San Diego
  • Foursquare house to B&B / guesthouse
  • Foursquare house to small inn / boutique lodging
  • Foursquare house to short-stay / serviced apartments
  • Historic district lodging in Foursquare streetscapes
  • Foursquare & Craftsman hybrid lodging
  • Foursquare & Colonial Revival detailing lodging;

Adaptive Reuse

  • Historic neighbourhood B&Bs in Midwest and Northeast cities – Columbus, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh
  • Foursquare house to Boutique inn
  • Foursquare house to short-stay suites

Landmarks

Original Accommodation

Adapted Visitor Accommodation