DESIGN JOURNAL
Building Styles
Note: this brief was previously written as a primer for Main Street cities, but can be applicable
to any town.
In order to communicate the role good design plays in Main Street cities, we must become well
versed in the language of Main Street buildings and with their architectural styles. By studying styles,
we develop not only a deeper physical understanding of the old buildings in our downtowns, but we
also gain insight into the culture that created these buildings. Identification of building styles is not
an exact science. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “Improvements in
communication, innovations in building, and increased affluence among Americans [during the late
19th and early 20th centuries] produced successive waves of architectural fashion. So rapidly did one
follow another that the effect in many cities was the creation of interesting hybrid designs showing
elements of several architectural styles. The result of this erratic evolution of architectural tastes has
been to produce a rich variety of building designs. Because of this variety, it is difficult to assign
dates to major periods based on styles.”
Some of the most popular styles of commercial and civic architecture in Texas are explained on the
next few pages. The primary features of each style are briefly discussed and should enable interested
persons to pursue style research in their own towns.
The Alamo, San Antonio
In general terms, this type of building is considered Spanish Colonial (1700-1780). The Handbook of
Texas describes this as the “frontier manifestation of the exuberant baroque style of the Spanish
Counter-Reformation. This style, which dominated North American mission architecture for 200
years, was characterized by twin bell towers, curved gables, sumptuous ornament applied to plain
walls, dramatic interior lighting, and elaborately carved and painted ornamental screens.” It is
surprising how many Main Street towns have their own versions of the Alamo, which is itself a
reconstruction of the original.
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The Governor’s Mansion, Austin
Methodist Episcopal Church
Marshall
Custom House, Galveston
The three buildings above are representative of the Greek Revival Style (1820-1860). This style is
also often referred to as Southern Colonial It is actually neither southern or colonial, since it first
appeared in the East in the early 19th century. According to the Handbook, this style is defined by
formal balance, geometric order and decorative details. The Greek Revival style is formal, with the
building arranged symmetrically about a central axis. Its features come from the classic temple form
of ancient Greece: the temple portico or porch with a roof supported by a row of columns. These
columns were of three types or orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
Cotton Exchange, Houston
The building above is representative of the Victorian Style (1830-1900). According to the
Handbook: “In contrast to the restrained classicism of the Greek Revival Style, the Victorian style was
rich in detail, exceedingly ornate, and designed to achieve a romantic and picturesque effect. The
buildings were seldom symmetrical, but were characterized by the off-center tower and projecting
bay. The whole was intended to be a balanced composition.” Included in the broad category of
Victorian architecture is the High Victorian Gothic style and the High Victorian Italianate style.
The High Victorian Gothic style was distinguished by the pointed arch. The High Victorian
Italianate style was distinguished by the rounded arch. The Renaissance Revival style is yet another
variation on the Victorian theme and is characterized by the two buildings below (the State Capitol
and Ellis County Courthouse). Some of Texas’ Main Street towns are fortunate enough to possess
an example from one of the two master proponents of this style in the state: Nicholas J. Clayton and
James Riely Gordon.
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State Capitol, Austin
Ellis County Courthouse, Waxahachie
Hill County Courthouse, Hillsboro
The building above (Hillsboro) is representative of the Second Empire Style (1860-1885). This
style was frequently used in government buildings and mansions. The steeply pitched Mansard roof
with dormers and vertical emphasis are key characteristics of this style. In larger buildings, projecting
pavilions and towers are common.
Union Depot, Fort Worth
The Union Depot may not be the best example to choose for a Richardsonian Romanesque
(1880-1900) style building in Texas, but it will suffice. Common characteristics of this cousin to
the Victorian family of styles include a horizontal emphasis, walls with heavy masonry features,
stones of contrasting color and texture, round-arched windows and doors, and deeply set
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windows and doors to emphasize wall thickness. This style was very popular in civic structures
throughout the country. The vivid colors and classical detailing exhibited by this particular
example indicate a more eclectic style.
Harris County Courthouse, Houston
Most major buildings from the turn of the 20th century were either Beaux-Arts Classical (18901920) or Neo-Classical Revival (1890-1920) styles. The characteristics of this style are very
similar to Greek Revival, but the façades are far more elaborate and studied. Columns are often
grouped in pairs, there are often monumental flights of steps, and figure sculpture is often placed
in niches on the façade or along the parapet wall. This style was often used for courthouses,
libraries, railroad stations, museums, and theaters.
Depot, Quanah
University of Texas, El Paso
The early part of the 20th century witnessed a notable reaction to the industrial revolution by
way of a romantic longing for the past. In addition to the popular Colonial Revival, many other
regional styles took root in Texas: The Quanah Depot represents the Mission Style and the
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University of Texas El Paso campus represents the uncommon Bhutanese Style. The name of
the regional style usually provides all the description needed to explain its visual characteristics.
Gulf Building, Houston
Industrialization and modernization spawned the Art Deco or Moderne style.
The effects of this style were far ranging from jewelry to automobiles to radios to skyscrapers.
Art Deco motifs often consisted of “low relief geometrical designs, often in the form of parallel
straight lines, zigzags, chevrons, and stylized floral motifs,” according to the Handbook.
Concrete, smooth faced stone, and metal were used with accents of terra cotta, glass and colored
mirrors. Some early gas stations used this style. Texas Fair Park in Dallas has one of the largest
complexes of Art Deco architecture in the country.
Conoco Station, Shamrock
Fa ir Park, Dallas
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Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth
The mid 20th century is marked by the work of several leading architects from outside the state
who executed important works in Texas. These works fall under the broad category of the
Modern style. Much of the best work of the Modern movement is a direct offshoot of the
International style, which is based on modern structural principles, materials and detailing. The
style is often characterized by a strong horizontal emphasis with smooth walls devoid of
ornament, flat roofs, windows running in continuous horizontal bands, and buildings regarded as
objects in a landscape devoid of any established context. The example shown above, the Kimbell
Art Museum, is considered one of the masterpieces of modern architecture.
Bibliography: Handbook of Texas (Texas State Historical Association), What Style is it? (National
Trust), American Architecture Since 1780 (Marcus Whiffen), Guiding Design on Main Street (National
Trust)
Please send comments or questions directly back to howard.langner@thc.state.tx.us
For information on the Texas Main Street Program, contact:
Debra Farst, State Coordinator
debra.farst@thc.state.tx.us
512-463-5758
design journal.building.styles.6.2006
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