The Origins of the "Denver Square"

The streets of certain older neighborhoods in Denver,to the foyer) and three bedrooms and a bathroom
Colorado are peppered with sturdy homes, which, ifon the second floor. The Denver Square often has a
you take away the brick facades and the dormers,full basement and/or attic space as well.
resemble nothing more than big squareThe origins of the "Denver Square" name are
boxes. Known as "Foursquares" in most other partssomewhat mysterious. The Foursquare style
of the country, houses of this style are calledsuddenly proliferated in America after the Civil War,
"Denver Squares" in Denver. There are many ofdue to its affordability, flexibility and ease of
these houses in the city, especially in older areas,construction. There are examples of Foursquare
such as Capitol Hill and Congress Park. architecture all over the country, some dated years
The square, boxy shape of the Foursquare style isbefore the style made its way to the Rocky
often enhanced by dormer windows in the center ofMountains. 
the roof and front porches that extend the width ofOne of the reasons that Denver has so proudly
the house. The plain construction of the basic buildinglabeled this home style with its name could be the
lends itself well to modifications that improve spaceGrodavent Brothers, who submitted a design for a
usage and aesthetic appeal. The Denver Square, inbrick Foursquare house in an 1895 edition of the
particular, is known for its brick construction, leadmagazine "Carpentry and Building". This is one of the
glass windows, and 2 tier fireplaces.earliest designs for a Foursquare house to be noted
Foursquares are usually two stories high. The homein a building publication and is a classic example of
is laid out in a series of quarters - entryway, kitchen,what Denver residents refer to when they say
dining room and living room on the ground floor (with"Denver Square".
a front door offset from the center to allow access