As architecture evolves, some once-popular home styles have faded into history. Whether due to changing tastes, cost, or zoning laws, these houses are rarely—if ever—built today. However, many remain as historic landmarks, offering a glimpse into the past. Let’s take a look at 10 architectural styles that have largely disappeared—and the fascinating stories behind them.
1. Shotgun Houses
A classic staple of Southern neighborhoods, shotgun houses are known for their long, narrow shape, designed to maximize space on small lots. They were built to be affordable and well-ventilated in hot climates, with high ceilings and front-to-back airflow.
- Defining Features: Narrow, single-story, one-room-wide layout with all rooms in a straight line, often without hallways.
- Where & When: Popular in the Southern U.S., especially New Orleans, from the early 1800s to the early 1900s.
- Famous Examples: Many still exist in New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods like the Tremé and Bywater.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: Modern building codes favor wider homes, and today’s buyers prefer more privacy between rooms.
- Fun Fact: The name “shotgun house” supposedly comes from the idea that a bullet fired through the front door could exit straight out the back without hitting anything!
2. Queen Anne Victorian
This extravagant style is the most ornate of the Victorian-era homes, featuring intricate woodwork, asymmetrical facades, and dramatic towers. They were built during a time when craftsmanship and decoration were highly valued, making them stunning but costly.
- Defining Features: Turrets, wraparound porches, asymmetrical facades, decorative woodwork, and elaborate detailing.
- Where & When: Late 19th century, especially in the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S.
- Famous Examples: The “Painted Ladies” of San Francisco are iconic Queen Anne homes.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: They’re expensive to build and maintain, with intricate details that require skilled craftsmanship. Modern homes favor simpler, more cost-effective designs.
- Fun Fact: Despite the name, Queen Anne (who ruled England from 1702-1714) never lived in a Queen Anne-style home—the style became popular long after her reign!
3. Sears Kit Homes
One of the most unique home-buying experiences in American history, Sears kit homes were mass-produced houses that could be ordered from a catalog and assembled by the homeowner or a hired builder.
- Defining Features: Mail-order houses sold as pre-cut kits, with styles ranging from cottages to large family homes.
- Where & When: Sold across the U.S. from 1908 to 1940, with many found in the Midwest and along railroad towns.
- Famous Examples: Many still stand in cities like Carlinville, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: The Great Depression killed demand, and modern construction methods make prefabrication unnecessary.
- Fun Fact: Buyers could order a home from a Sears catalog, and the entire house would arrive in a train car, complete with 10,000+ labeled pieces and a 75-page instruction manual!
4. Octagon Houses
A quirky architectural movement of the 19th century, octagon houses were designed to maximize interior space and light while improving air circulation.
- Defining Features: Eight-sided homes with central staircases, designed for efficiency and better airflow.
- Where & When: Popular in the mid-1800s, especially in New York and the Midwest.
- Famous Examples: The Armour-Stiner House in Irvington, NY, is a rare surviving ornate octagon house.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: The unusual shape isn’t practical for modern construction, and square layouts are much easier to build.
- Fun Fact: 19th-century architect Orson Squire Fowler believed octagonal homes were healthier because their shape allowed for more natural light and ventilation.
5. Gothic Revival Cottages
Inspired by medieval architecture, Gothic Revival homes brought a touch of old-world Europe to America with steep gables and ornate wood trim.
- Defining Features: Steep gabled roofs, decorative wood trim (called “gingerbread”), and pointed-arch windows.
- Where & When: Mid-1800s, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest.
- Famous Examples: The Carpenter Gothic-style homes in Cape May, NJ, and the famous Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: The ornate details make them expensive to build, and the style has fallen out of favor in modern suburban design.
- Fun Fact: Some Gothic Revival homes were inspired by fairy tales and medieval castles, making them look straight out of a storybook!
6. Dutch Colonial Houses
Known for their distinctive barn-like roofs, Dutch Colonial homes were practical and charming, offering spacious interiors and a cozy aesthetic.
- Defining Features: Gambrel roofs (barn-style), symmetrical layouts, and dormer windows.
- Where & When: 1700s-early 1900s, mainly in the Northeast.
- Famous Examples: Many survive in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: Newer construction materials make gambrel roofs less necessary, and modern Colonial Revival homes favor simpler rooflines.
- Fun Fact: The house in The Amityville Horror is a Dutch Colonial—its distinctive gambrel roof makes it instantly recognizable!
7. Saltbox Houses
A purely functional design, saltbox homes were designed to withstand New England’s harsh winters with their sloping roofs that shed heavy snow.
- Defining Features: A steeply sloping, asymmetrical roof with one long side and one short side.
- Where & When: 1600s-early 1800s, mainly in New England.
- Famous Examples: The Parson Capen House in Massachusetts is a classic saltbox.
- Why They’re Not Built Anymore: Originally built to avoid taxation on two-story homes, this design is no longer needed for modern tax laws.
- Fun Fact: The name “saltbox” comes from wooden boxes that were used to store salt in Colonial kitchens—the house shape looked similar.
Final Thoughts
While these architectural styles may no longer be common in new construction, many still stand as cherished pieces of history. Each of these homes tells a unique story about the era they were built in, whether it was about practicality, efficiency, or sheer artistic expression.
Today’s housing trends favor open floor plans, energy efficiency, and modern amenities, but these older home styles remind us of a time when craftsmanship and creativity were at the forefront of home design. If you ever come across one of these rare gems, whether in a historic district or hidden in a quiet neighborhood, take a moment to appreciate the architectural legacy it carries.
Would you want to live in one of these historic home styles? Or do you prefer the convenience of modern homes?