The Urban Core of Oklahoma City could be seen as a large-scale museum filled with a plethora of Architectural Styles. Builders from 1900 to the 1950’s gave us many different styles to choose from. Thanks to Historic Preservation we will be able to enjoy this abundance of style for decades to come.

10. Italian Renaissance – Italian Renaissance homes have strong classical elements seen in columns, molded cornices, arched entries, and many fine details. The houses are most often symmetrical with low-pitched, hipped tile roofs. The relatively broad boxed-in eaves are accented by brackets. Projecting side wings are often seen on symmetrical houses. Located in Heritage Hills.

9. Bungalow – The Bungalow style has its roots in the native architectural style of Bengal, India. During the late 19th century and the waning days of the British Empire, English officers had small houses built in the “Bangla” style. The houses were one story with tile or thatched roofs and wide, covered verandas. Located in Mesta Park.

8. Ranch – The typical Ranch style home is a single, often rambling, story with either a hipped or gabled roof. At first glance, it may appear bereft of style, but that first impression can be deceptive. Shape ranged from an unadorned box to various L- or U-shaped configurations. Where preceding styles were more cubic, the ranch was long and horizontal with an asymmetrical facade. Located in Belle Isle.

7. Prairie – The building form was long and low with broad, overhanging eaves, and broad covered porches. Moving away from the bungalow style per se, the Prairie style played on Midwest regional influences and incorporated stylized Japanese elements that were very popular at the time. While gabled roof lines were seen, low hipped roofs became a definitive characteristic of this style. Other distinctive elements include strong horizontally-oriented façades and open, flowing interior space instead of many small boxy rooms. Ribbons of windows, often with well-defined vertical detail. Many houses are essentially symmetrical, but with subordinate wings or porches. However, asymmetrical designs are also common. Located in Mesta Park.

6. Tudor – The Tudor style is notable for its steeply pitched, cross-gabled roof. Decorative half-timbering is common in the gable and second story. The windows are relatively tall and slender with multi-pane glazing separated by either wood or lead muntins. Chimneys are very large and commonly decorated with ornate chimney pots. Located in Edgemere.

5. Art Deco – Art Deco was a style of ornamentation using low-relief stylized graphics and applied motifs ranging from florals to geometrics and preceded the Art Moderne style. Buildings were often distinguished by pronounced ascending vertical elements and stepped rooflines. the Between the setback styling of many skyscrapers and generously applied ornamentation, the resulting style was often referred to as “Wedding Cake” style. Located in Crown Heights.

4. Colonial – Colonials typically have a rectangular footprint and may be one, one-and-a-half, or two stories. They may have either a hipped or gabled roof with a medium pitch. The façade is generally symmetrical which gives it formality and balance. Double-hung, multi-paned windows are arranged symmetrically, frequently in pairs. The front door is centered and accentuated with a combination of pediment, pilasters, columns, fanlight, or sidelights. Located in Crown Heights.

3. Mission – The Mission style is quite simple with covered archways and half-rounded windows, smooth stucco walls that mimic the adobe walls of the Spanish missions, and flat or shallow sloped tile roofs. Towers and roof parapets are often found, Extended roofs may form covered arcades with large square pillars or columns—a feature that allows building interiors to remain relatively cool in hot climates. Located in Lincoln Terrace.

2. Craftsman – The Craftsman style is defined by its low-pitched gabled roofs with broad eaves, large front porches, and exposed wooden structural elements. Houses were typically 1-1½ stories and of wood construction. Located in Military Park.

1. Neo-Classical – Popular in America from 1895 to 1950, stately Neoclassical house plans to recall the architectural traditions of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Renaissance period. Usually two or two-and-a-half stories, these dignified homes typically feature a symmetrical shape, a simple side-gabled roof, and a prominent portico or full-width porch supported by classical columns. Neoclassical home plans may be faced in brick, stucco, or siding, and usually, display elaborate pediments over doors and windows as well as dentil molding and balustrades along the roof lines. Located Heritage Hills Neighborhood.

We can’t leave out everyone’s favorite historical home, The Overholser Mansion. Completed in 1903 for one of Oklahoma City’s truly remarkable figures,  a French Chateau style house, was decorated with Brussels lace curtains, English carpets, French stained glass windows and ornate canvas painted walls.