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  • Archaeology & Historic Preservation Events
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Foursquare

A "textbook" Foursquare.  Please click on the image to see a larger version.One of the most commonly found forms in Colorado residential buildings after 1900, the Foursquare is easily recognized by its square plan, two-story height and overall simplicity.  The majority of these houses were built during the first three decades of the twentieth century.

The typical Foursquare is a two-story hipped roof structure with central dormer, minimal decoration, broad overhanging eaves with brackets or modillions, classical frieze with dentils, and a porch, usually full-width with a hipped roof supported by Doric or Tuscan columns or by square posts.  Occasionally, a Foursquare will feature a shaped gable or will be considerably larger with more elaborate ornamentation.  In each case, the basic square plan is predominant.

The Foursquare is a basic residential form adaptable to many stylistic treatments.  Classical, Mission and Mediterranean elements may all be found on Foursquare residences.

A large and elegant Foursquare.  Please click on the image to see a larger version.Common elements:

  1. residential
  2. square plan
  3. front porch
  4. two or more stories
  5. unadorned exterior
  6. hipped roof
  7. shaped gable
  8. side bays
  9. Doric or Tuscan columns
  10. brackets
  11. square porch posts
  12. dentils
  13. classica