Beautiful Historical Victorian Homes!

1840-1880: Gothic Revival

This is one of my favorite places called Romeo, Michigan. It is a quaint, picturesque small town filled with Victorian Treasures. I visited recently and enjoyed walking around admiring this gracious neighborhood. I love these amazing and beautiful grand Victorian homes so wanted to share them here.

This is a sample of some of the 80 historic homes that were built there during that period. Visiting is like stepping back into a different magical era. It is a place I highly recommend stopping for a few hours if you have the opportunity.

Carpenter Gothic

The term Carpenter Gothic refers to craftsmen who experimented with elaborate forms with jig saw details. The invention of the steam powered scroll saw allowed them the ability to create these intricate cutouts and decorative features.

Some identifying features of Wooden Gothic Revival:
Steeply pitched roof
Steep cross gablesWindows with pointed arches
Vertical board and batten siding
One-story porch
Source About.Com

1840-1855 : Italianate Period.

Inspired by the great villas of Italy, America created its own fanciful and whimsical interpretation. Due to its beautiful and graceful lines it became the most popular style of Victorian home in America.

Heavily Molded Double Doors

Some identifying features of Italianate:
Low-pitched or flat roof with overhanging eaves
Balanced, symmetrical rectangular shape
Tall appearance, with 2, 3, or 4 stories
Wide, overhanging eaves with brackets and cornices
Square cupola
Porch topped with balustrade balconies
Tall, narrow, double-paned windows with hood moldings
Side bay window
Heavily molded double doors
Roman or segmented arches above windows and doors
Source About.com

Windows With Hooded Moldings


Stacked Double Side Bay Windows

1870-1900 Queen Anne

Some idenfiying features of Queen Anne:
Shapes are varied but usually have a prominent forward facing gable. Cross gabled versions are frequently seen.
Roof pitch may be quite steep with many irregular planes.
Towers and turrets are common.
Double-hung windows are relatively long and narrow. Ornate stained glass windows are not uncommon.
Highly ornamented with spindle work, finials, roof cresting, corner brackets on porches and cutouts.
Siding may range from half timbering and stucco to patterned shingle and clapboards. Combinations are often fanciful.
Parapets and brickwork are often variably colored and patterned and highly decorative.
Covered porches often wrap from the front and around a side and are decorated with spindle work and friezes.
Chimneys may be patterned masonry and are sometimes seen with chimney pots.
Source Antique Home

Porches were an extension of the living space, often filled with wicker furniture.

Queen Anne

1860 - 1880 Italiante - Second Empire

Some identifying features of Italianate-Second Empire:

Basically Italianate style forms
Mansard roof
Dormer windows, sometimes a square (not round) tower
Decorative brackets
Molded cornice, similar to Italianate detail on windows, doors
Source Architectural Styles of America

Each historical home has an identifying oval plaque carrying the date the home was built. If you look closely you can see it in the above photo on the side.

It was a great afternoon to snap a few photos and I met a few of the friendly home owners on my walking tour.

I would love a front porch like this with the perfect

Dreamy Porch Swing!

I am providing the link to the Romeo Historical Society so if you are interested in learning more about this amazing historical town you can do further reading!

When sweet Melissa at Huckleberry Prairie said she was throwing her first blog party I thought this would be a perfect spot to share! When you have finished looking around be sure and visit Melissa to see the other participants favorite towns.

It is feels like summer and perfect weather for taking a walk and enjoying the nice day! Be sure and visit other OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY participants via Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer!

I am joining Julia at Hooked on Houses for her weekly Friday event. I am definitely Hooked on these Victorian Homes and admire their beauty.
I appreciate lovely historical towns like this and also want to share it with Melissa at The Inspired Room's for A Beautiful Life.
To view more participants be sure and visit Julia and Melissa's sites when you are finished here.