Southern Colonial style in California facts for kids
The Southern Colonial style is a classic American architectural style that became popular in the southern parts of the United States during the country's early days. As people in the South became wealthier, they wanted their homes to look grand and impressive, much like the ancient Greek buildings. This style often features a large, two or three-story house with a row of tall columns across the front. The roof usually extends over these columns, creating a covered porch.
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What Makes Southern Colonial Homes Special?
Southern Colonial homes have several key features that make them stand out. These features give them their elegant and grand look.
Homes Set Back from the Road
Southern Colonial houses are often built quite far back from the street. This wide space in front of the house helps create a feeling of importance and elegance. It makes the home look even more grand.
The Classic Colonnade
A main feature of the Southern Colonial style is the "colonnade." This is a long row of columns, usually four to six of them, placed across the front of the house. This idea came from ancient Greek buildings, which also used many columns.
The Portico, a Covered Porch
The "portico" is another common feature. It's like a front patio located right behind the columns. The roof of the house extends over the portico, connecting it to the colonnade. For example, at Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, the portico has chairs where people could relax and look out at the lawn. Sometimes, you might see flags hanging from flagpoles on the portico.
Everything is Symmetrical
Symmetry is very important in Southern Colonial design. This means that everything is balanced on both sides. The main front door is always in the exact center, right behind the columns. Windows on the left and right of the door are usually the same, often with black shutters. Inside, you'll often find a central hallway, a grand staircase, and fancy chandeliers. Even brick walkways outside are usually symmetrical.
Lots of Decorative Molding
Southern Colonial homes use a lot of decorative "molding" both inside and outside. Molding is like a fancy trim. "Dentil" molding is a common type, which looks like a row of small, tooth-like blocks. It's often used where the roof hangs over the walls.
Above the main front door, you'll often see symmetrical "pediments." These are triangular or curved shapes placed above the door frame. They sit on top of "pilasters," which are flat, decorative columns attached to the wall. A "frieze," which is a decorative band, is often found between the pediment and the door frame. Inside, "crown molding" is widely used around the tops of walls where they meet the ceiling. You'll also often see "French windows," which are tall windows that open like doors.
Common Colors Used
On the outside, Southern Colonial homes are usually painted white or off-white. Some might use colors like cream and tan. Inside, the same light colors are sometimes used. However, you might also see colonial blue and yellow on the trim and walls. These colors are often paired with red carpeting to create a rich and royal feeling.
Southern Colonial Style in California
Architectural styles often traveled across the country as people moved west. However, the Southern Colonial style was not very common in California.
Early Days in California
In the 1800s, as pioneers moved to California, many different building styles arrived with them. But the Southern Colonial style was not often seen among these.
Around the Turn of the Century
Records from the Los Angeles Building Department show that Southern Colonial homes were quite rare. Some "Early Colonial" and "Neoclassical Revival" styles did appear. Early Colonial homes often have a "saltbox" design, which is a simple, timeless look that reminds people of New England. Neoclassical style comes from the architecture of ancient Greece. The California State Capitol building is an example of Neoclassical style.
The Southern Colonial style, which mixes Neoclassical or Greek Revival with Early Colonial, was not often built in California. This is why true examples of the grand homes like those seen in the movie "Gone with the Wind" or governor's mansions in the South are still very rare in California today.
Examples of Southern Colonial Architecture in California
Even though it's rare, you can find some beautiful examples of Southern Colonial architecture in California.
The Georgetown Building
The Georgetown Building in Santa Ana, California, is a great example of Southern Colonial style. It looks like a grand statehouse and has an elegant colonnade.
This building is set far back from the street, with a green front lawn. Colonial lampposts stand near the street. Red brick is used a lot for walkways and patios. The main door is in the center, decorated with crown moldings, and is flanked by colonial windows with shutters. On the portico, small flagpoles hold American and colonial flags.
Inside, the Georgetown Building is just as special. The main door opens into a central hallway with a royal red carpet leading to a grand staircase. A large chandelier hangs above the staircase. This building truly has all the elements of a Southern Colonial home.
While the Georgetown Building is a commercial building, a few homes in this style can also be found. There are some in Hancock Park, as well as Bing Crosby's house in Toluca Lake, and a mansion in Glendale.
Hancock Park Southern Colonial Homes
The Hancock Park neighborhood in Los Angeles has many historic homes, including some Southern Colonial ones. This area was developed in the 1920s and remains a very fancy residential area.
The first example on the left has a unique semi-circular colonnade and portico with six columns. Instead of being evenly spaced, there are two sets of double columns at the front, which is an unusual and creative design.
The second example on the right has seven steps leading up to a raised portico. This portico does not go all the way across the front of the house.
Southern Colonial homes often have a decorative "crown" above the colonnade. In the first example, vertical rails form a crown over the semi-circular colonnade. In the second example, the crown has diagonal cross bracing.
The Kendall Glendale Estate
A residential example is the Kendall Estate in Glendale, California, nicknamed "Kolonialvu." The Los Angeles Times described it as looking like Tara from "Gone with the Wind," inviting visitors to enjoy a Southern feel in Southern California. It was built in 1932 and later bought by Henry E. Kendall, an owner of JC Penney. It's also famous for its award-winning garden.
This home is very true to the Southern Colonial style. It has symmetry, colonial windows with shutters on both sides of a central door, and lots of wooden moldings and brass decorations. Like the Georgetown Building and George Washington's Mount Vernon, the Glendale home has a colonnade across its entire front. Mount Vernon has eight columns, while the Georgetown Building and the Glendale estate each have six columns. The Glendale estate also has oval windows, which are a Southern Colonial feature also seen in the Georgetown Building.
The Bing Crosby Toluca Lake Mansion
In 1936, the famous actor Bing Crosby built a Southern Colonial home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California. It was described as looking like the grand Southern plantations from "Gone with the Wind," and also similar to George Washington's Mount Vernon. The house had a sweeping colonnade across its entire front.
Sadly, the original house was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1943, caused by faulty Christmas tree lights. However, later owners restored it. The first house had six columns, but after renovations, it now has only four.
