American Architecture: The Ranch Style

While not a true Ranch house in the traditional definition of the term, my grandpartent's home is none the less a Ranch home. Built long and narrow, it sits with the long elevation facing the road and is only one story. Built in ther 1940's, my grandfather added a patio to the rear of the house, making it L shaped, and more in keeping with the traditional form.

The first modern Ranch home was built in San Diego, California in 1932 by Cliff May (1909-1989). May was a California architect who was taken by the ranchos of the early Mexican Californians. A Ranch home is a one story home that appears to sit low to the ground, due to a low roof and deep set eaves. The Ranch will, more often than not, have large picture windows, which allow the outside to become a part of the home. An attatched garage is often found, but is not necessary to the form.

By the mid-50's, there were so many suburban Ranches being built that the name "Ranch" became synonymous with tract housing - fast built, cookie-cutter homes. However, many of these so-called tract houses are now reaching an age where the landscape around them is maturing and are giving the Ranch home an opportunity to show that the American Ranch deserves to be called one of the important architectural styles of the 20th Century.

Until next time, In Bocca Al Lupo!

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