|
East Row Architectural Styles |
 |
 |
 |
The Italianate style flourished from 1870 through the turn of the twentieth century and was well suited to Newport’s lots due to its tall and narrow characteristics. Most are two story, flat faced dwellings featuring extensive decoration on the front façade. Common features include decorative beveled stone quoins (corner blocks) and elaborate metal, stone or wood brackets at the roofline. Windows and doors were often embellished with stone, wood or metal hood moldings in either rectangular or arched variations. Many East Row homes exhibit the “Newport Plan Entry” that was used in this area until the 1910s. It is a side entrance into a foyer and stairwell and may include a second entrance to an adjacent wing of the house built at right angles to the foyer door. Decorative porches exhibit a wide array of spindles, brackets and sawn millwork of all kinds. Those that have been lovingly restored are decorated to show off their best and most notable features.
The Queen Anne style was dominant in the 1890s through the early 1900s. Most local examples are masonry and traditionally had gabled slate roofs (sometimes decorated) or standing seam metal. Masonry is often varied to subtly add interest to a wall or roofline and corbelled bricks are frequently used. Architectural ornamentation was lavishly applied to gable eaves, porches, cornices, or anywhere conspicuous opulence served the owner’s desires. Decorative elements typically include the well-known corner tower or turret, rectangular windows with stone lintels and sills, arched windows with stained glass, and porches featuring a wide variety of milled columns, spindles, and brackets. Stained glass uses colored round or beveled marbles, and the “Tiffany” style designs make abundant use of sweeping swirls and leaf-like features of many colors. Gabled roofs exhibit a variety of decorative masonry and wood shingles as well as denticulated (toothed) elements. Most Queen Annes in the area were built on typically narrow lots. They have front facing gabled rectangular plans that express their asymmetry through angled side or rear bays.
The influence of Second Empire architecture can be found in the use of the mansard roof as a front façade (sometimes referred to as an American mansard) or in grand style as on the Samuel Hannaford designed Beaux Arts building at 803 E. Sixth Street and the residence at 624 Overton Street. In both cases, the mansard is concave.
Also prevalent in the area is the Bungalow of the 1910s and 1920s. Most are brick construction (face and wire-cut) and are laid out symmetrically in a rectangle or square, often exhibiting gabled dormers on the main façade. Bungalows were built with gable front plans having wide eaves and full width porches with brick posts and piers, or fluted columns. Decoration was predominantly found in the leaded glass transoms and in doors and sidelights. This style home predominated in Newport in the 1920s and can be seen extensively in the 600, 700 and 800 blocks of Linden and Maple Avenues.
Whether walking or driving, be alert for stone retaining walls and wrought iron fences and gates. Also take not of the prevalent “stair glass” – lovely original stained glass windows that illuminate the interior stairway or landing. They are always on the side of the house and are worth the effort to see.
Walking Tour Guidelines
East Row abounds with Victorian era architecture. As you move through this guide we’ll alert you to specific points of interest. Begin your tour at the George Wiedemann, Jr. Mansion located on the corner of 4th Street and Park Avenue. Street parking is available. Both the walking and walk/drive tour return to within a block of this point.
The historic district has many one-way streets that can make driving confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the area. For this reason, the walking tour is truly a walk, because it ignores street traffic patterns and uses passages open only to pedestrians. On the other hand, the extended walking tour may be completed by car or on foot with minor detours on 6th Street and again on Linden. We recommend that if you drive, you park the car momentarily along the street to see these homes.
The oldest properties in the district will be found south of 6th Street, owing to the fact that the land closest to the Taylor Mansion was not divided and parceled out until after the late 1880s.
The walking tour (dotted line) is approximately 1.2 miles long, and should take 40 minutes to 1 hour at a leisurely pace. The extended walk (solid line with arrows) is approximately 2.0 miles, and will take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. These times are only approximations and will vary with one’s interests and physical condition.
|
Clear 62 oF