Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FEDERAL STYLE ARCHITECTURE
FEDERAL STYLE ARCHITECTURE. Federal-style architecture was popular in the United States between 1780 and 1830, particularly from 1785 to 1815. Urban examples are most often three bays wide, although there are some houses that have four bays.
Stepped gables were a type of fire protection for urban houses. The gable extension would slow the spread of sparks from one roof to another.
There was a fan light over doorways (almost always rounded, rarely squared), sidelights, Classical/Greek detailing of entryway, and Palladian windows.
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Source:
Architectural Style Guide. Online: http://www.historicnewengland.org/preservation/your-older-or-historic-home/architectural-style-guide#federal-adam-1780-1820