(Photo Credit: cowboysandindians.com)
I haven’t always lived in Texas. I was born and raised in
the suburbs of Denver, accustomed to small, single-family ranches of wood and
brick. Rarely did I see a Spanish roof or adobe, or a house exterior of pure
stone. Once I moved to Texas, I noticed the state’s affinity for these types of
materials. I assumed Texans’ love for stone and rustic design stemmed from its
natural landscape…semi-desert, rock-and-clay, a landscape of many natural
tones. But the truth is, home design and architecture in Texas is attributed to
its many cultural influences, in addition to its natural landscape.
Rustic-Cowboy, Mexico and South America Influence on Homes (1519-1700s):
Vaqueros came from Mexico and South America after the
Spanish established cattle ranches there. The vaqueros migrated throughout the United
States and South America all the way to Argentina. Landowners even taught
Native Americans to cattle ranch on horseback. The practice and profession
spread to the Southwest and was hugely popular by the turn of the 19th
Century. Today, many Texas homes take on a rustic rancher feel, as a throwback
to the archaic American cowboy with lasso in-hand. Cabins, rugged wood, animal
skins and mounted heads paired with Native American rugs and adobe inspiration
is common in many Texas homes.
Spanish-Inspired or Native American-Inspired Homes
(1682-1835):
After all, the first smatterings
of architecture in the state were Spanish Roman-Catholic Missions as Spaniards strategically
placed them throughout the state to bring Christianity to Native Americans. These
missions were responsible for securing Spanish territory in Texas along with
forts and pueblos. They became the signature look of Texas. Today, many homes reflect details of
Spanish-style Missions.
Perhaps Texas homes made out of Adobe and natural stone
slabs can, in part, be attributed to its rich culture of Native Americans. At
least four Native American cultures existed throughout Texas when the first
European settlers laid claim to territories there, including the Coahuiltecan,
Karankawan, Trans-Pecos, Jumanos and the Patarabueyes peoples lived in adobe
and mud-plastered homes in villages or pueblos. In North Texas, another culture
erected structures similar to those seen commonly in New Mexico and Arizona,
layering adobe and slabs of stone.
Greek, Colonial, and Victorian Anglo Influence on Homes:
(1700s-1900s)
As more and more Europeans settled in Texas, more Catholic
and Episcopal churches popped up throughout the state. Tall, angular steeples
and high arches brought a gothic-Greek style into Texas architecture. Anglos began to build public squares and
communities, building structures multiple stories high with many European
touches, such as French doors and brick-and-stone patterns.
And of course, Texans caught the Victorian-era bug after the
civil war until the turn of the 19th century. This explains the many
historical buildings established in many Texas towns. Victorians were very
detailed and opulent in their architectural styles, preferring asymmetry and an
overall balance rather than logic of layout or simplicity. Today, many Texas
cities preserve their historical structures as a valuable part of their
culture.
(Photo
Credit: City-Data.com, Gainesville, TX Victorian Home)
(Photo Credit: Search-Har.com, a Colonial-Style Brick-and-Column
Home in Houston, TX)
(Photo Credit: Exotic Excess, A $6.2-mil Greek Revival Home
in Dallas, TX)
Many homes in Texas are a nod to these influences in its
diverse and rich history. New construction often mimics these gorgeous details,
sometimes finding a unique amalgam of all these styles. So, when you see one of
our homes for sale, look for the hints of cultural influences we’ve just
discussed, and see if you notice! For instance, do you see the tiniest touches
of Spanish-Colonial and Native American influence in this Garden Ridge home?
(Photo Credit: clausteam.com, 24719 Creek Loop, San Antonio,
78266)
And notice the classical Greek and colonial details of this
San Antonio home for sale. The style also combines Spanish and Native American
inspiration, along with complimenting the natural landscape of the land with
the layers of natural white stone in the yard. Beautiful!
(Photo Credit: clausteam.com, 863 Fawnway, San Antonio,
78260)
(Data and dates taken from the Texas Historical
Association, Architecture as well as AmericanCowboy.com)
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