David Garland Rose House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
David Garland Rose House
|
|
summer 2010
|
|
 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 156 Garfield St., Valparaiso, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architect | Rose, David Garland |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Octagonal Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000030 |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1980 |
The David Garland Rose House was built around 1860 in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. David Rose was a local businessman who owned this unique home.
This house is special because it has eight sides, like an octagon. It's built in the Gothic Revival style. Each of its eight roof sections, called gables, has fancy wooden decorations. Later, covered porches were added to three sides of the house.
The idea of building octagon houses became popular in 1849. This happened after Orson Squire Fowler published his book, A Home For All. He wanted to create affordable and comfortable homes for everyone. Fowler suggested using concrete because it was strong and cheap. However, most octagon houses were built from wood or brick. This "octagon craze" didn't last long and ended before the American Civil War. Today, fewer than 120 octagon houses are still standing.
Contents
Who Was David Rose?
David Rose was a very successful businessman in Valparaiso. When the American Civil War began, he became Colonel Rose. He was in charge of the 54th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This group was based at Camp Morton in Indiana.
What Makes the House Special?
The Rose Octagonal House has two stories. It is made of wood, with the outside covered in overlapping wooden boards called clapboard siding. Each of the eight sides has its own pointed roof, known as a gable. A brick chimney goes up through the middle of the house.
You can see the Gothic Revival style in many details. For example, there are leaf-shaped designs cut into the trim along the edges of the roof. Also, at the very top of each gable, there is a four-pointed design.
How Big Is It?
Each of the eight sides of the house is exactly 12 feet, 2 inches long. A one-story porch was added later to the front of the house. A two-story addition was also built onto the back, which included a garage. Inside, the house still has its original door and window frames. The floor has been replaced with new oak wood.
Why Is This House Important?
The David Garland Rose House is important for its architecture. It has a rare octagonal design. Plus, its roof is unique because each side has a gable that meets in the center.
Built around 1860, the house shows a style that was popular for a short time. This style was made famous by Orson Squire Fowler's book, A Home for All. Octagon-shaped houses are very rare in Indiana. Only about a dozen are known to still exist. The Rose House stands out even among these rare homes because of its special gabled roof design.
