Style 101: Folk Victorian

Folk Victorian House, Austin, TX | Photograph by Rebecca McManus, 2016

The Folk Victorian style developed in the late 19th century as a lower-cost alternative to the Italianate and Queen Anne styles also popular during that period. The spread of the style was aided by the railroad, which allowed for widespread access to lumber yards and pre-manufactured wood detailing. Turned posts, spindlework detailing, and decorative brackets and moldings could be mass-produced and easily transported to communities around the country. In particular, the growing Western population desired this smaller, cheaper, and more adaptable style for their homes. The same growth also encouraged the construction of small rail depots and other rail structures in the style as rail lines grew in complexity and ridership. The style’s popularity phased out by 1910 in favor of other small house styles like the Craftsman style.

There are 126 Folk Victorian resources designated in San Diego. Could yours be next? Check out our handy infographic below to see if your house features the defining characteristics of the Folk Victorian style!