Page 63 - Waxahachie, TX Residential Design Guidelines

Pl annin g a Preservation Project

s p a n i s h c o l o n i a l R e v i v a l ( 1915 –

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Also known as the “Spanish Eclectic” style, these are domestic
buildings of Spanish precedent built before about 1920 and are
generally free adaptations in the Mission style. It was not until the
Panama-California Exposition, held in San Diego in 1915, that
precise imitation of more elaborate Spanish prototypes received
wide attention. The exposition was designed by Bertram Goodhue,
who had previously authored a detailed study of Spanish Colonial
architecture. Goodhue wanted to go beyond the then prevalent
Mission interpretations and emphasize the richness of Spanish
precedents found throughout Latin America. Inspired by the wide
publicity given the exhibition, other fashionable architects soon
begin to look directly to Spain for source material. There they
found a still longer and richer sequence of architectural traditions
which became melded into a style that they continued to call the
Spanish Colonial Revival. The original term, “Spanish Eclectic”
is broader and more inclusive in its roots, but both are used to
reference this architectural style. The style reached its apex during
the 1920s and early 1930s and passed rapidly from favor during
the 1940s.

Spanish Eclectic is most common in the southwestern states,
particularly California, Arizona, Texas and Florida, all regions
where original Spanish Colonial building occurred and continued
into the 19th century.

Identifying features of the Spanish Colonial Revival style include:
1. Low-pitched roof, usually with little or no eave overhang
2. Red tile roof covering
3. Typically with one or more prominent arches placed above
door or principal window, or beneath porch roof
4. Wall surface usually stucco
5. Façade normally asymmetrical

2 1

5

221 North Patrick Street, an
example of Spanish Colonial
Revival architecture.

Waxahac hie Residential design guidelines 55