The American Foursquare style was popular between the 1880s and the 1930s. The style was a response contrary to the ornate and showy elements popular in the various forms of Victorian. The style is named for the four equal-length sides. Houses built in this style are usually two-storeys in height resulting in sides that appear square.
American Foursquare typically is plain and devoid of ornamentation. Each of the four 'sides' of the hip roofs is punctuated by either a single wide dormer, or multiple small dormers that provide useable space in the third floor attic space. Full width porches span across the facade or wrap around two sides and windows are randomly placed.
The American Foursquare style is exemplified by two houses on E. Penn Street 'behind' the Post Office in Bedford Borough and by the brick structure at 3733 Pitt Street in Schellsburg Borough.
In Everett, the Cottage Planing Company, owned and managed by George H. Gibboney, produced prefabricated parts to construct houses in the American Foursquare style. Numerous houses built by the Cottage Planing Company in this style are sometimes known as 'Gibboney' houses. The American Foursquare style is exemplified by the private dwelling along the south side of the road at 252 E. Main Street in Everett Borough.
