William Ritzman House
Encyclopedia
The William Ritzman House is a historic house just outside the corporate village limits of Orangeville, Illinois
. The house was built around 1847 and is of brick construction in the Greek Revival style. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
, Pennsylvania
. Ritzman was a lieutenant during the Mexican War
and eventually became one of Orangeville's leading citizens. Beginning in 1974 the house underwent a restoration that lasted more than 25 years and returned the house to its original state.
roof, cornice
lines with a wide trim band, and an elaborate door surround with a narrow transom
line and sidelights. The Ritzman House belongs to a class of Greek Revival homes that lack front porch
es, this occurs in about 20 percent of residential Greek Revival architecture.
October 23, 2000.
Orangeville, Illinois
Orangeville is a village in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 793 at the 2010 census, up from 751 at the 2000 census. The area's earliest white settlers arrived in 1833 and the village was platted in 1851 by John Bower, who is considered the village founder. In 1867...
. The house was built around 1847 and is of brick construction in the Greek Revival style. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
History
The William Ritzman House was built in around 1847 by settler William Ritzman, originally from Union CountyUnion County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile . There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Ritzman was a lieutenant during the Mexican War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
and eventually became one of Orangeville's leading citizens. Beginning in 1974 the house underwent a restoration that lasted more than 25 years and returned the house to its original state.
Architecture
The Greek Revival Ritzman House was built by an unknown contractor during a time period when Greek Revival style was becoming popular in the Midwest. The brick Ritzman House incorporates several elements common to Greek Revival structures including: a low-pitch gableGable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
roof, cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
lines with a wide trim band, and an elaborate door surround with a narrow transom
Transom (architectural)
In architecture, a transom is the term given to a transverse beam or bar in a frame, or to the crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it. Transom is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece...
line and sidelights. The Ritzman House belongs to a class of Greek Revival homes that lack front porch
Porch
A porch is external to the walls of the main building proper, but may be enclosed by screen, latticework, broad windows, or other light frame walls extending from the main structure.There are various styles of porches, all of which depend on the architectural tradition of its location...
es, this occurs in about 20 percent of residential Greek Revival architecture.
Historic significance
The Ritzman House is a locally significant example of Greek Revival architecture. It maintains a high degree of architectural integrity despite undergoing many changes through the years. During an architectural survey of area rural Greek Revival houses, the Ritzman house was one of 26 surveyed across ten small towns, and one of four considered "worthy of note". The William Ritzman House was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
October 23, 2000.
External links
- William Ritzman House, Property Information Report, Illinois Historic Preservation AgencyIllinois Historic Preservation AgencyThe Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is tasked with the duty of maintaining most State-owned historic sites within Illinois, and maximizing their educational and recreational value to visitors....
, accessed May 21, 2008.