"I" House

Coined by noted architectural historian, Markus Wiffin who found this style of home in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois, the "I" House is more of a type than a style of home.  The form however is found all across the United States in hundreds of communities and rural areas.

Its design is a two story rectangular box, covered with a side-facing gabled roof. Many have a full width front porch and an attached one-story wing to the side or rear called an "ell." Wealthier families embellished the "I" house with filigree wooden grillwork and perhaps a gabled dormer. Most "I" houses are going to be located outside of the city boundaries and represents the earliest type of frame houses that will most likely be found in rural areas of the county. 

Common characteristics are:

  • two story rectangular box
  • side facing gable roof
  • symmetrical facade
  • full width porch
  • simple detailing

  

 

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Examples
1. William Coffey Homestead, 62860 Eagles Road Bend (shown) Built 1919.
2. Johnny Arney House, 4685 NE Smith Rock Way, Terrebonne.  Built 1910.