Wallingford Bungalows

When we first heard the term “bungalow”, it was Mr. Rourke instructing Tattoo where to take the arriving guests. Four-square was a game you played with a kickball and chalk, and a craftsman was someone who took care with his work. Imagine our confusion when we arrived in Wallingford and found ourselves amidst a sea of bungalows, four-squares and craftsman-style homes.

What actually define bungalows and craftsman homes? Wallingford Walks explain:

The term bungalow probably comes from the Indian word “bengla”, which may have found its way into the English vocabulary from British troops stationed there.  We in Wallingford usually refer to bungalows as the Wallingford bungalow – Seattle’s version of the California bungalow.  This was a very popular house style the first two decades of the 20^th century – just as Wallingford was being built.  It usually refers to a small appearing 1½-story house with a low sloping roof. If greater than 1½ story the term “bungaloid” is sometimes used. Many of our bungalows were built from plan books or ordered from catalogs – arriving pre-cut and crated.

Craftsman style evolved from the Craftsman Movement of about the turn of the century.  Architecturally it included exposed structural components – sometimes exaggerating them.  Front porches with over-sized and oftentimes multiple porch columns, wide eaves, wide verge boards, exposed rafter tails, roof brackets, and multiple paned windows were common.  All intended to express the craftsmanship of the builder.

If you’re like me and still have trouble keeping it all straight, maybe you’ll want to tag along on this Saturday’s Wallingford Walk, where Al Elliot will guide a tour of local bungalows and craftsman homes.

Meet up at Tully’s on Saturday, June 11th at 10:00 am. The walk takes about two hours, rain or shine.

Questions? E-mail Cindy Pulido

(Lego bungalow by The Brickster. The house will not appear on the tour.)