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Stick/Eastlake
c.1880-1900
Some architectural historians consider the
Stick, or Eastlake, style to be a variation of
Queen Anne. Others consider it to be a style all its own.
Historically, it appears to be a transitional style between
Gothic Revival and
Queen Anne. Unlike Queen Anne houses, with their irregular rooflines, Stick
houses tend to have steeply pitched gable roofs. And where the Queen Ann
style emphasizes curvilinear forms—lathe-turned spindles and posts, round
bays and towers—the Stick style is distinguished by vertical, horizontal and
diagonal "stick work" on exterior walls that mimics
half-timbering. This is intended to convey structure and
function, but it is actually applied decoration. If it were removed, the
building would not fall down.
The Stick style seems to have its early
beginnings with the architectural designs of Andrew Jackson Downing, whose
popular pattern book, Country Houses (1861), introduced fancy stick
work in Gothic Revival
style buildings. The term Eastlake refers to the English writer Charles Lock
Eastlake, who advocated a return to simple, straight-line designs inspired
by country work During the 1880s, the Stick/Eastlake style was replaced by
the Queen Anne, which was more popular and widespread.
The Stick/Eastlake style of architecture is
uncommon in Martinsville. The house at 410 East Washington Street is the
best example. However, many houses feature porches that are influenced by
the Stick/Eastlake style. For examples, see the
Gabled-ell
form in Vernacular Architecture.
Stick/Eastlake: House
(c.1890), 410 East Washington Street
Stick/Eastlake: Nutter-Schnaiter
House (c.1890), 1090 East Harrison Street
The owners of this house have
highlighted the "stickwork" in dark green. The
vergeboard in the gables is Queen Anne in style.
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