Best Cities for Italianate Architecture in America

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24/7 Wall St. Insights

• Italianate architecture gained prominence in the mid-19th century.
• There are over 4,000 listings categorized as Italianate in the National Register of Historic Properties.
• Today, 10 of the top 25 cities for Italianate architecture are in Massachusetts.
• Italianate capitals tend to be older, with the populations of 14 of the top 25 cities peaking in the 20th century.
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Italian architectural influence spread to America in the mid-19th century by way of English builders and pattern books. What became known as the Italianate style largely consists of boxlike two- to three-story houses with wide roof eaves supported by large brackets. As cast-iron became more popular in the 1860s, Italianate houses also began to use cast-iron moldings for ornamental tracery in porches, balconies, railings, and fences. Many Italianate houses feature cupolas to serve as observatories or widow's walks in seaside downs.

Today, there are over 4,000 listings categorized as Italianate in the National Register of Historic Properties. And while thousands more Italianate buildings exist throughout the country without formal historic status, a look at NRHP listings by address reveal the best cities for seeing Italianate architecture in America.

To determine the best cities for Italianate architecture, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on historic properties from the National Register of Historic Places of the U.S. National Park Service. Cities, towns, and villages were ranked based on the number of listings in the NRHP that are designated as Italianate architecture style as of October 2024. Supplemental data on median home age is from the 2022 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.

• NRHP listings in Italianate style: 11 properties
• All listings in NRHP: 53 properties
• Median home age: 53 years
• City incorporated: 1837
• Notable Italianate listings: Garrard County Jail, Peacock-Miller House, J. C. Hemphill House, Petrie House, Lancaster Commercial Historic District

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