The Second Empire style (one of various forms of the Victorian style) was popular from circa 1855 to circa 1885. The style derives its name from the reign of France's Napoleon III.
The identifying feature of Second Empire was the mansard roof. The mansard was a double-pitched hip roof, often with dormer windows on the lower, steep pitch. The mansard roof provided the building with a totally useable third floor.
Beneath, and appearing to support the eaves, were nonfunctional but decorative brackets. The style was noted for its corner or end wall bay rooms and decorative cornices.
Second Empire is exemplified by the Victoria House at the northeast corner of the intersection of Richard and Watson Streets in Bedford Borough and also by the house at 109 Baltimore Street in the Newtown section of Schellsburg Borough.
