American Colonial Ranch (1940's to 1970's)
According to Wikipedia American Colonial Ranch was “First built in the 1920s, the ranch style was extremely popular in the United States during the 1940s to 1970s, as new suburbs were built for the Greatest Generation and later the Silent Generation. The style was exported to other nations and so is found in other countries. The style is often associated with tract-housing built during this period, particularly in the western United States, which experienced a population explosion during this period, with a corresponding demand for housing. The ranch house is noted for its long, close-to-the-ground profile, and minimal use of exterior and interior decoration. The houses fuse modernist ideas and styles with notions of the American Western period working ranches to create a very informal and casual living style. Their popularity waned in the late 20th century as neo-eclectic house styles, a return to using historical and traditional decoration, became popular. However, in recent years,interest in ranch house designs has been increasing. Preservationist movements have begun in some ranch house neighborhoods, as well as renewed interest in the style from a younger generation who did not grow up in ranch-style houses. This renewed interest in the ranch house style has been compared to that which other house styles such as the Bungalow and Queen Anne experienced in the 20th century, initial dominance of the market, replacement as the desired housing style, decay and disinterest coupled with many teardowns, then renewed interest and gentrification of the surviving homes.” Identifying Features: (according to Scottsdale, AZ Neighborhood Information) “Long forms with the broadside of the façade facing the street Low to medium-pitched gable roof, usually with one gable facing the street Light colored horizontal siding, shingles, or painted brick Federal or Greek revival door surrounds Classical moldings on cornices, windows and door openings, with classical doors Decorativecresting along the front roof edge Usually has a defined front porch with classical support columns Small paned, usually paired, casement or double hung windows Simple, masonry chimney Louvered shutters” Source: Not Available, ” American Colonial Ranch,” Introduction to Post War Housing Styles, PDF. (2010) Wikipedia, “A-frame,” Internet, (May 12, 2010) Images: /image_store/uploads/ 8/2/8/9/6/ar120425287269828.jpg Introduction to Post War Housing Styles, PDF
