Glossary

This is becoming an illustrated definition of architectural (and other historic) terms relevant to Wheeling. Please add addition terms you think should be here or write definitions. Ideally, we can illustrate all terms with Wheeling examples.

Architectural Styles

Neo-Classical - Greek Revival

- inspired by Greek and Roman temples; symmetrical, columns, triangular gable/pediment. Many buildings in Washington, DC; in Wheeling many now demolished buildings of the 1830s-1850s such as the Exchange Bank (1834) and Ohio County Courthouse (1939). Two beautiful standing examples are the Church of God and Saints of Christ and the First Presbyterian Church.

Neo-Classical - Federal/Adams - Architects call these Neo-Classic style, but they lack all the temple-like elements, however, symmetry and decorative details are classically inspired. In Wheeling these are generally plain buildings with stone lintels and a symmetry and orderliness.

Victorian

Queen Anne - Victorian style on steroids, overly ornate

Shingle - A reaction to the overly ornamental Queen Anne, these are more informal buildings, with rambling plans, gables and cross gables, deep eaves, and of course, wood shingles.

Stick - Decorative half timbers on walls, typically on wood-sided houses, to give a Tudor look. Also commonly have steep, gabled roof, overhanging eaves, and decorative braces.

Architectural Terms

Baluster -
Balustrade -
Corbeled -
Cornice -
Dormer - windows projecting at right angle from the side of a sloping roof.
Eaves
Facade - the side of a building, usually refers to the street facing side.
Flemish bond - brickwork that alternates short (headers) and long (stretchers) sides of brick in each row (course).
Fretwork -
Gables

Lincrusta - embossed decorative wall covering made of linseed oil and wood pulp, resembles the more expensive tooled leather. Common in elegant Victorian homes in Wheeling and easily visible at the Eckhart House gift shop or the Hess House tour.
Lintel
Mansard roof -

834 Main St.

Oriel - essentially a second or third floor bay window. For houses like those in Victorian Wheeling that are directly on the front sidewalk a baywindow would obstruct walking. This example is from 834 Main but they are common in North Wheeling.
Pediment - low pitched triangular gable, common on classical styles
Pilaster -
Terra Cotta - an enriched cast clay block or design used from late 1800s to 1930s. Many Victorian buildings in Wheeling have terra cotta decorations intespersed with lines of brick. More.
Transom - window above doors
Wainscoting -

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