Researching Your Home's History
It’s no secret that the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro has a plethora of home styles. From houses dating back to the 1800s to new construction, you will find some of it all in the cities. Here are six of the most common home styles found in the metro area, featuring photos of our past listings.
1. ABSTRACT
Craftsman houses are very common to find in the Midwest, and have distinctive features making them easy to spot. These houses have simple but bold design, and focus on horizontal lines and exposed beams. Generally the colors and materials of these houses reflect nature, and focus on solid craftsmanship and handiwork. Oftentimes they also showcase natural wood and stones, and paint colors feature browns, tans, greens, and other neutrals.
• Abstract
Typically, title companies go back at least 40 years and possibly deeper if they must.
• AI Search
• Minneapolis Historical Bldg Permits
builder and architect
to 1972
permit cards
• Saint Paul Historical Building Permits
https://rchs.com/st-paul-building-permit-collection/
(access fees apply)
• Blueprints
• Ask neighbors!
• Ancestry.com Census data
• MN History Museum
Thur Fri Sat
• Hennepin History Center
• Hennepin County Library
https://hennepinhistory.org
Special collections downtown
612-543-8200 (primarily mpls)
City directiries who was living there
• Ramsey County Historical Society
https://rchs.com
Bldg permits https://rchs.com/st-paul-building-permit-collection/
historical site surveys
family photos
the people too
sanborn maps too
• Newspapers.com
• Addition Name
How big? - When platted?
Who was Developer?
• Mapping Prejudice
https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu
Look up discriminatory covenants
Cynthia Sowden
2. Victorian
Victorian styled homes were built in the US starting in the 1860s, and present a wide range of styles. These houses vary drastically from the simple Craftsman houses, because they are all about intricate and elaborate details. Most houses feature high pitched roofs, wrap around porches, and highly decorative woodwork throughout. Many times these houses will also showcase various towers, turrets, & dormers, making them a beautiful art piece on any street.
3. TUDOR
This style of house traces its roots back to the 1400s in Britain, but many of these similar styled homes were adapted for the US starting in the mid 1880s. Two characteristics of Tudors are the steeply pitched roofs and the elaborate chimneys, usually a focus point of the exterior. Oftentimes, the houses will also have exposed wood framework on the front, and decorative doorways. You can find many neighborhoods in both Minneapolis and St. Paul that feature this homestyle.
4. Colonial
This houses are distinguished by their simple, rectangle shape and symmetrical exterior. Colonial houses are two-stories tall, and can vary in the amount of decorative detail. While some may boast of brick exteriors and entryways, others feature simple siding and, again, symmetrical windows with shutters.
5. Ranch
Perhaps one of the most well-known house styles, ranch houses are distinguished by their long profiles and low pitched roofs. They are also referred to as “Ramblers” and are especially popular for one-level living. Most often, they feature an open floor plan and many times they have vaulted ceilings and an attached garage. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, these houses are more commonly found throughout the suburban developments surrounding the cities.
6. Contemporary
Contemporary houses seek after minimalism. This is showcased with clean lines, open layouts, and geometrical designs. Many contemporary houses are built with sustainable materials, and have sustainable features in the home itself. You can often spot this home style by the asymmetrical exterior, and varying materials of wood, stone, and metal blended together in one house. At its core, contemporary homes combine the current trends of architecture to make a unique design.