Benicia Historical Society

Page 10 WANLASS HOUSE ~ c. 1880 166 West H Street History: Although there were a number of Italianate style homes constructed in the 1870s and 1880s, this house is a rarity in Benicia, a flat-fronted Italian- ate row house. It is two stories high and extends deep into its lot with very few side windows, apparently in anticipation of other row houses to be built on either side. But no other row houses were built and the house remains free- standing, looking somewhat out of place between its lower neighbors. Architecture: In the late 1860s, Italianate edged ahead of Greek Revival to become the most popular house style in the United States. Homes in this style ranged from modest two-story town houses to ornate mansions of sea captains and wealthy entrepreneurs. The flat-fronted Italianate row house was simple and often the style of building used for houses and western frontier structures. Italianate features include wood framing, rectangular massing and emphasis on vertical proportions. In addition, a prominent bracketed cornice and a brack- eted hood over the front doorway are distinguishing characteristics. This style was quite popular early in the Victorian era, lasting from about the 1830s through the 1870s.