Architect
George Franklin Barber is typically considered one of the leading architects who established the architectural formula for the American Queen Anne style. He often included towers, turrets, window bays, stained glass, triangular-gabled dormers, lively irregular roof lines and small tucked-away second floor balconies in his designs. He was a self-taught architect, learning the basics of architecture through personal observation and by reading books he ordered through the mail. While he designed many public buildings, including schools and courthouses, theaters and college structures, his primary concern was the custom residential design. Mr. Barber specialized in "catalog architecture", selling his designs in popular magazines. In 1895 he launched a monthly magazine called American Homes which led to a boon for his business. Within 5 years his architectural firm in Knoxville, Tennessee employed over 30 drafstmen to hand-copy his designs. At one time his company was the largest in the south, selling perhaps as many as 20,000 plans to customers across the country and worldwide.
Barber's catalogs were not the first to offer residential designs across the country but they were the first to give customers an opportunity to participate in the custom-design of their homes. In the catalog, Cottage Souvenir No. 2, he says "Write to us concerning any changes wanted in plans, and keep writing till you get what you want. Don't be afraid of writing too often. We are not easily offended." Barber houses were built in every state and overseas. Many of his surviving houses throughout the country are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
George Franklin Barber is typically considered one of the leading architects who established the architectural formula for the American Queen Anne style. He often included towers, turrets, window bays, stained glass, triangular-gabled dormers, lively irregular roof lines and small tucked-away second floor balconies in his designs. He was a self-taught architect, learning the basics of architecture through personal observation and by reading books he ordered through the mail. While he designed many public buildings, including schools and courthouses, theaters and college structures, his primary concern was the custom residential design. Mr. Barber specialized in "catalog architecture", selling his designs in popular magazines. In 1895 he launched a monthly magazine called American Homes which led to a boon for his business. Within 5 years his architectural firm in Knoxville, Tennessee employed over 30 drafstmen to hand-copy his designs. At one time his company was the largest in the south, selling perhaps as many as 20,000 plans to customers across the country and worldwide.
Barber's catalogs were not the first to offer residential designs across the country but they were the first to give customers an opportunity to participate in the custom-design of their homes. In the catalog, Cottage Souvenir No. 2, he says "Write to us concerning any changes wanted in plans, and keep writing till you get what you want. Don't be afraid of writing too often. We are not easily offended." Barber houses were built in every state and overseas. Many of his surviving houses throughout the country are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Architect
George Franklin Barber is typically considered one of the leading architects who established the architectural formula for the American Queen Anne style. He often included towers, turrets, window bays, stained glass, triangular-gabled dormers, lively irregular roof lines and small tucked-away second floor balconies in his designs. He was a self-taught architect, learning the basics of architecture through personal observation and by reading books he ordered through the mail. While he designed many public buildings, including schools and courthouses, theaters and college structures, his primary concern was the custom residential design. Mr. Barber specialized in "catalog architecture", selling his designs in popular magazines. In 1895 he launched a monthly magazine called American Homes which led to a boon for his business. Within 5 years his architectural firm in Knoxville, Tennessee employed over 30 drafstmen to hand-copy his designs. At one time his company was the largest in the south, selling perhaps as many as 20,000 plans to customers across the country and worldwide.
Barber's catalogs were not the first to offer residential designs across the country but they were the first to give customers an opportunity to participate in the custom-design of their homes. In the catalog, Cottage Souvenir No. 2, he says "Write to us concerning any changes wanted in plans, and keep writing till you get what you want. Don't be afraid of writing too often. We are not easily offended." Barber houses were built in every state and overseas. Many of his surviving houses throughout the country are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
George Franklin Barber is typically considered one of the leading architects who established the architectural formula for the American Queen Anne style. He often included towers, turrets, window bays, stained glass, triangular-gabled dormers, lively irregular roof lines and small tucked-away second floor balconies in his designs. He was a self-taught architect, learning the basics of architecture through personal observation and by reading books he ordered through the mail. While he designed many public buildings, including schools and courthouses, theaters and college structures, his primary concern was the custom residential design. Mr. Barber specialized in "catalog architecture", selling his designs in popular magazines. In 1895 he launched a monthly magazine called American Homes which led to a boon for his business. Within 5 years his architectural firm in Knoxville, Tennessee employed over 30 drafstmen to hand-copy his designs. At one time his company was the largest in the south, selling perhaps as many as 20,000 plans to customers across the country and worldwide.
Barber's catalogs were not the first to offer residential designs across the country but they were the first to give customers an opportunity to participate in the custom-design of their homes. In the catalog, Cottage Souvenir No. 2, he says "Write to us concerning any changes wanted in plans, and keep writing till you get what you want. Don't be afraid of writing too often. We are not easily offended." Barber houses were built in every state and overseas. Many of his surviving houses throughout the country are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
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