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Local Architectural StylesWhat Kind of House is Yours?Many of us think of houses in terms of a home—the people, the furnishings, andthe activities that make a place special to us. Most of us would answer “what kindof house is yours?” with “three bedroom, two bath,” or “new” or “old.”Architectural style, however, is a summary or composite of the design, shape,form and building materials that make up a building. Where the building is truly“designed” all of the elements—from the doorknobs, to the floor plan, to the window sizes and to the roof line—relate to one another consistently and coherently.Yet that does not mean that each representative of a style is a “cookie-cutter”duplicate of any other building in that style. Rather, the style reflects a way ofthinking about living and working spaces and about decorative elements.Architectural styles reflect the way people live, or would like to live, and thus tellus something about the people who lived in these buildings when theywere built and about the designers and builders who created them.Certain styles were built within fairly well-defined periods of time within the cityof Riverside. For that reason, the architectural styles described in this sectionare also discussed as periods in architecture and are assigned specific dates.Neither the styles nor the period dates will apply to every structure.Each is meant to be indicative of the general trend of development in Riverside.You may have an excellent Victorian home that was not built prior to 1900 or aPeriod Revival home built after 1935. You many also find that your Craftsmanhome does not have several of the elements described, but has, instead, a numberof unique hand-crafted elements. While some of the variations that can be seenon the streets of Riverside occur because of misguided remodeling, there is also agreat deal of influence or cross-breeding between styles that make each buildingunique. Some historic houses (especially the smaller bungalow styles) were builtfrom pattern books that allowed the buyer to be his own designer and to mix andmatch elements to create his own idea of the perfect home.Once you have studied the text and the drawings you will find many historic structures call out for your attention; little bungalows, which are often ignored, can nowbe appreciated and the potential grandeur in that run-down Craftsman house canbe envisioned. The primary purpose of this section is not only to help peopleappreciate architecture of the past, but especially to help people with an interestin rehab to carry in their mind’s eye a vision of what that particular buildingonce was and what it can be again.6

VictorianPre-1900about 1870 to 1900This Victorian house illustratesmany characteristic features ofthe style: the vertical design,clapboard siding, decorativeshingles in the gable and thedecorative wood trims alongthe porch.3891 Tenth St.Many older neighborhoods inCharacteristicsOrnamentationRiverside contain examples of One Decorativethis period which incorporate Emphasisstyles such as Queen Anne,Eastlake, and Italianate. All ofto three storieson vertical lines andformsthese styles are easily recognizable and distinctive from other Wood shiplap or clapboard sidingwood ornamentation and distinctive roof styles. Although eachstyle has distinguishing features,the residences of this period“borrowed” considerably fromeach other and therefore few pure Wood Variedsiding styles on onebuilding Penetrationand projectionsfrom the building plane BayThe interiors of the buildingswere equally ornate, with complex, irregular floor plans. Theinterior spaces were decorated Woodto mimic keystones,cornerstones, and bracketingat cornices Ornatedoors and windows(carved frames, stainedglass, etc.) Decorativefacias and bargeboards Balconies Second Trimcolumns andbalustrades (handrails) Towers Multi-plane,wood trim aroundwindows and doors Decorativewindows Porchesexamples exist.carved wood panels Moldedframed “balloon framing” constructionperiods by their generous carved Exteriorwood shingles Ironsteep roofor wood roof cresting withfinials on the roof ridgesfloor turretsshingle roofingwith wainscoting and high plaster Tallchimneysceilings with coves or intricate Asymmetricalcompositionplaster cornices. Some examplescontained decorative woodpaneled ceilings.L o c a lA r c h i t e c t u r a l7S t y l e s

Turn of theCenturyAbout 1900 to 1910The styles found in this periodCharacteristicsOrnamentationinclude those known as the One SimpleClassic Box, Neoclassical, WoodColonial Influence, and EasternShingle. Although slightly different in proportion, length ofeaves, and material differences—wood siding, shingles and othervariations—the buildings ofthis period have manycommon features.The interiors of this period alsoand two stories“classic” columns andbalustradesclapboard siding Simplerectangular form Porches Sheetmetal ridge cap andscroll finial Gableor hip roof, not steeplypitched Woodshingle siding Symmetricaldesign Single,centrally locateddormerwere very simple, with functional,less elaborate spaces containinglittle ornamentation whencompared with the ornatenessof the Victorian.3234 OrangeThis Turn of the Century houseillustrates the more “classical” formof this period, and has both clapboard siding and shingle siding.8

CraftsmanAbout 1910 to 1920This Craftsman house illustratesthe horizontal design, woodshingles exterior, and exposedbeams at the porch area typicalof the period.4556 UniversityThis period generally presentsCharacteristicsOrnamentationone to one-and-one-half story Square River-rockhouses, with the larger two-story Emphasishouses known as the “Craftsman”style, while the smaller homesspawned by this stylistic movement became known as bungalows. The buildings were oftenheavily landscaped to furtheremphasize a strong relationshipto nature.or rectangular formon horizontal linesand forms Shallowroof pitches Gableroof with wood shingleroofing Porchesor arbors Clapboardsiding (sometimesrough sawn) Woodfoundations, occasionally with brick accents Brickmasonry foundations laidin a variety of bonds Individualizedornamentationby each “craftsman” (builder) Columnsand balustrades ofplain milled woodshingle or shake siding Exposedbeams at the eavessupported with knee-bracesback to walls Horizontalwindows/casementor double-hung Upperportion of windowsmulti-paned, lower portionsingle paneL o c a lA r c h i t e c t u r a l9S t y l e s

BungalowAbout 1906 to 1925This example contains many ofthe features and forms particular to the bungalow style,notably the low pitched roof withthe gabled end facing the streetand the thick tapering columns3876 Thirdset on broad piers.This style is used to describeCharacteristicsOrnamentationboth the craftsman bungalow Squareor rectangular form Simpleand the California bungalow. Resawnsiding Shinglesiding PlasterexteriorThey are similar in form andcolor to the structures of theCraftsman period described previously, but are smaller in size,and usually not as elaborate. Emphasis Lowpitched roof GableThe main emphasis of this periodis simple and inexpensive housing.The introduction of plaster exteriors greatly reduced constructiontime and costs. Bungalowsimitated the design characteristicsof the larger craftsman homes,and were designed to achieveaffordability.10on horizontal lineroof facing the street Frontporch to one side of thefront with two wood, plaster orstone piers, narrower at thetop than the bottom Threepiece front window withlarge center section and smallerside panels Someexposed beams withknee-bracescolumns or balustradeson the porch of plain milledwood

MediterraneanPeriod RevivalAbout 1890 to 1935This Mediterranean Revivalhome illustrates the characteristicuse of tile roofs, rounded archesand cylindrical turrets onentry bays.OThe Mediterranean Revival emu-Ornamentationthe Period Revivals have thelates the styles of Spain, Italy Ornateleast number of commonand Northern Africa (Islamicelements among their members.influences, rarely seen inThe names of the styles exemplifyRiverside). DecorativeCharacteristics Patternedf all the residential periods,the previously establishedarchitectural style which thisperiod attempts to “revive.”Riverside has a variety of Period Woodlight toned lath and Intersectingrectangular formsor a single rectangle Woodcasement or double-hungwindows, often with arched topEnglish Tudor. TileThe interiors of these housesor plain tile on floorsand wallsplasterFrench Provincial (see nextpage), Country English, andiron workstud construction ExteriorRevival styles, including Missionor Mediterranean Revival,low-relief carvingsaround arches, columns, windows, etc.roof, low pitched Porcheson front or sideoften contained textured plaster,wrought iron fixtures, andbright colored decorative tile inthe bathrooms and kitchens. Theliving rooms sometimes hadcathedral or barrel ceilings, andoften had stenciled decorationon the beams, doors and borders.4648 Ladera LaneL o c a lA r c h i t e c t u r a l11S t y l e s

FrenchProvincialPeriod RevivalAbout 1890 to 1935This French Provincial Revivalhome exhibits the use of halftimbered gables and sloping4525 Orange St.pitched roofs typical of the style.The French Provincial,CharacteristicsOrnamentationNormandy style, and the Tudor Wood Stone,Revival were products of memory Exteriorfrom the United States’ involvement in World War I. Theserevived styles used few of thebuilding materials of the originalperiod because of advances inbuilding technology, but formsmimicked the originals.stud construction Intersectingrectangular formsor a single rectangle Wood-framedwindows withmultiple panes Steeplypitched roof Shingleor shake roof Heavy Brick12light toned plasterwooden front doorchimneybrick, and half-timberlook for decorative purposes

Post WWIIVernacularAbout 1945 to 1955After the war, housing was inCharacteristicsOrnamentationshort supply and affordable, Single Decorativesingle-family housing was needed. Squareor rectangularintersecting formsThe houses built at this time tookas models the basic tenets of theirwooden columnsroof, low to mediumpitch, with gable parallel orperpendicular to the streetand wood or stucco exterior Woodcasement or double hungwindows with a variety of panestylesderivation in the house’s relationship to the automobile: for thefirst time on any large scale, Metalgarages were often attached to the Somecasement windowsgarages attached andtoward the front of the housedwellings and increasingly becamepart of the front elevation. New Simpleshutters Gablepredecessors, such as gable roofs,finishing, but began an importantstory Shingleor crushed rock roofingbuilding materials resulting fromwar-time technology such as plywood and aluminum would transform the way floors and windows,to mention a few elements, wereconstructed.L o c a lA r c h i t e c t u r a l13S t y l e s

CaliforniaRanchPost 1945TCharacteristicsOrnamentationpopular in both tract and custom Single Decorativehousing for several decades afterformshis long, horizontal style wasWorld War II. It was reminiscentof a ranch house from a realcattle ranch and from the westernfilms popular at the time.story of long rectangular Some Lowpitched hip or gable roofwith wide overhangs Exteriorstucco, board andbatten, shingles, clapboard ora combination of these Horizontalbands of windowswith a variety of pane styles,including single panes andmulti-paned diamonds Slidingglass doors to patiosand terraces Interiorspaces open and of lowhorizontal scale Long,low porches with simplecolumns creating the feel of anarcaded walkway Concrete14slab foundationshutterswestern motifs in fencingand handrails

ModernAbout 1945 to 1965The Modern, or InternationalCharacteristicsOrnamentationstyle, developed in Europe earli- One Noneto two stories, some splitlevelser in the century. It is a stylewhich became more widely used Rectangularor square intersecting or singular formsfor commercial and institutionalbuildings than for residences. Flatroof plane and floor planethat often extend beyond thewallsmaintained. This style is based Sometimesappear to be floating above the ground planeshapes, and a blending of interior and exterior spaces, thus the Fewsolid exterior walls, mostlyglass; or solid walls with fewwindowsuse of glass walls and floorplanes extending beyond thewalls to visually eliminate barri- Fewinterior walls, open floorplansers between the inside of thehouse and the out-of-doors.railings or columnsmade of steelon clean geometricshapes and horizontal planesare generally intact and wellon simple geometric lines and Simple EmphasisResidential examples are limitedin Riverside, but those that exist(a hallmark of the style) Constructedof concrete, glass,steel and concrete block Fixedor louvered windows CrushedL o c a lrock roofingA r c h i t e c t u r a l15S t y l e s

CommercialArchitecturalStylesMany historic and modernstyles of commercial architecturetown business core is governedare found in Riverside.by “Riverside Downtown DesignDescriptions of these styles mayGuidelines,” available throughbe found in “Restorationthe City of Riverside PlanningRiverside: DowntownDepartment. For guidance onRehabilitation and Designcommercial development withinGuidelines.” Changes or addi-other areas of the city, contacttions to existing commercialthe Planning Department.structures should reflect thearchitectural integrity of theoriginal designs. When newbuildings are proposed in commercial areas, they should becompatible with establishedbuildings in the area.16Development within the down-

FrameSashRehab Tips and TechniquesRehabilitation (or “rehab”) can generally be described asmaking the necessary changes to allow a building to be usableagain, incorporating (or recycling) as much of the original andexisting building materials as possible. This differs fromrestoration where a building is brought back to its originalstate, and remodeling where an existing building is severelyaltered without concern for historic materials.The information presented in this section describes how torecognize when major repair or rehab work is needed andwhen to call in a professional for assistance. Also describedand illustrated are many simple techniques the propertyowner can use to make repairs. The text is divided into threesections: Exterior,Interior and Structural andMechanical.17

❶Crack inWallExteriorTreatments—What YourNeighbors SeeFOUNDATION“A sound foundation is thebasis for all rehabilitation workbecause a weakened foundation❷threatens the very structure ofthe house.”1 Prior to commencing work on any exterior rehabilitation, a cursory investiga-Home Test for Crack Movement Draw a line across the crack (especially those wider than a hair). ❶ Observe the crack after two or threeweeks. If the lines on the sides ofthe crack have moved apart, indicating movement of the house, callfor professional help. ❷tion of the brick, rock, or concrete foundation of the structureshould occur. The investigationsshould occur both at the exterior of the building and on theinside—at the crawlspace orbasement. Look for thesetrouble indicators:occurs, the lines across thecrack will split, and it is time tocall in a professional (contractor, engineer, or architect). Ifcracking is seen and self testingis not desirable, then call a professional for further investigation. As many historic structures are not constructed tocurrent earthquake safety standards, seismic anchors and/orother techniques should be considered for structural safety.(See Brick Masonry, page 23.)If the crack is determined to benon-hazardous to the structure,patching the crack can improvethe look of the foundation.Masonry patching and re-pointing is covered in the masonrysection of this report, but concrete can be patched with an1.Cracksresult because ofsettling soil, water undermining, or earthquakes. Bothmasonry and concrete can haveminor hairline cracks which arenot serious, but any crackingwider than a hair should havefurther investigation to determine if the cracking is continuing. One simple way to watchfor movement is to draw a lineacross the crack with a straightedge and then observe it for twoto three weeks. If movement1Rehab Right, City of Oakland Planning Department See illustrations for more information.18easily available concrete patchmixture.2.Wetnesscaused bywater seeping through the wallindicates improper site drainageand/or improper waterproofingof walls (most important inbasements). Many historicbuildings have deteriorated roofdrainage systems such as broken downspouts which can causerainwater to be dumped directlyon the foundation of the building. Improper site drainage cancause surface water to run

Testing for Extent of WoodRot Damagetowards the building. TheseWallswater related problems canWood Damagecause improper settlement ofWood is very susceptible tothe footings by undermining,damage from moisture, rot fungusand constant water can causeand insects. Identification of thedeterioration of both brick andtype of damage and quickmortar. In basements, the waterrepair/replacement can keep thedamage could be occurring fromdamage from spreading andthe lack of waterproofing at theavoid further repairs due toexterior of the wall. Simplemisunderstanding of the problem. Prod the wood with a sharp tool,(preferably in an inconspicuouslocation) and observe resistance tomarring. If the wood is sound, theprodding will loosen one or tworelatively long slivers and the breakswill be splintery. Pry out a sliver of wood with a screwdriver. If toughness of the wood hasbeen greatly reduced by decay, thewood breaks squarely across thegrain and lifts out easily. If it is stilltough, then it splinters and resistsremoval.repair of broken downspouts,and proper grading of a site canalleviate many of these problems and can generally be doneby an owner. However, a leaking retaining wall (water seepingthrough a basement wall)should be investigated by a pro-Wet rot is a fungus that attackswood members which have beensaturated. It can spread quicklyto other wet wooden membersn

Pacific Depot (1898), First Church of Christ Scientist (1900), Union Pacific Depot (1904), Old City Hall (1924), and the Riverside County Courthouse (1904) were built in this era. The residential districts included stately Victorians surrounded by orange groves, charming bungalows an