Gothic Revival

In the 1850s, Portland’s landscape was dominated by two distinctly different styles; the Gothic and Greek Revival styles.  One, the Greek Revival, grew out of the Oregon territories many early forts, which though rough and rural, displayed an immense amount of architectural skill and refinement.  The other, the Gothic Revival, drew a stark contrast to the rigid symmetry of Greek Revival homes.  Interesting that two such disparate styles shared such popularity at or around the same time-frame  .  A bit later, somewhere towards 1870, the Italianate style, from which the American Foursquare was born, came along and ushered in a new architectural period.

Gothic Revival

If Greek Revival represents practical elegance, Gothic Revival homes, then, offer whimsy, charm and fantasy.  While Greek Revival homes paid homage to Greek temples, Gothic Revival architecture drew from the mystery of the Middle Ages.  While the classical styles, including Greek Revival, tend to be fairly rigid in their styling demands, Gothic Revival styles offered a welcome freedom that architects and home owners took full advantage of.

Gothic Revival houses lean towards striking features: steeply-pitched roofs, steep cross-gables, ornamental barge boards, and medieval style windows and arches.  Gothic Revival homes have a definite vertical feel.  Everything points towards the sky, with features that naturally pull the eye upwards.  Gabled-roofs ending in sharp points, incredibly steeply-pitched roofs with Gothic spires and multiple tall chimneys all enhance the verticality.

Much like the Queen Anne style that was to eventually replace Gothic architecture in the hearts of Portlanders, Gothic styling can be found in a number of different house types.  There are large, romantic Gothic houses with specaculare spires and fine detailing.  More modestly Gothic cottages with Gothic touches can be found all over Portland.  Many Victorian houses seem to be something right between Gothic Revival and Queen Anne.  The beauty is in the detail and in the story these houses tell. 

Stylistic elements:

• Rectangular for smaller homes, asymmetrical for larger ones
• Extremely steeply-pitched roofs
• Dormers
• Arched entryways and windows
• Transoms and sidelights
• Porches with narrow or thins columns
• Gothic spires