A house style, popular in
America in the early part of the
20th century.
A foursquare is named for the fact that it consists of two floors of four square rooms, each square room right over the top of the other. A top half story, usually
dormered and under a
hipped roof, complete the basic design. A full length front
porch is also typical.
To this simple
box shape, builders added details from the
Mission and
Craftsman design styles. Along with
bungalows, foursquares were to the teens and twenties what
split levels were to the sixties and seventies. They are among the most recognizable house style in America.
Because of the current popularity of
Victorian styles and general
ignorance, most foursquares are misidentified by
real estate agents and house sellers as Victorians. This is ironic, since the simplicity and honesty of the style were seen as a reaction against the excesses of Victorian style at the time these houses were built.