Octagon House, historic house in Massachusetts, United States
The Octagon House is a two-story residential home in Westfield, Massachusetts, featuring a rare eight-sided form and built in the early 1860s. The building has an octagonal cupola, decorative woodwork on the porch, and carved brackets at the roof corners, while a rectangular addition from the 1800s extends from the back.
The house was built around 1861 by Joseph Watson and was one of only three octagon houses constructed in the city. A rectangular addition was added in the 1870s and the porch was built in the 1890s, giving the house its current appearance.
The house takes its name from its eight-sided form, which became popular in the mid-1800s through the ideas of architect Orson Squire Fowler. Visitors can see today how this unusual shape uses space efficiently and makes the building a recognizable feature in the neighborhood.
The house is located on King Street behind the city's Town Hall and can be viewed from the street. Since it is a private residence, entry inside is not possible, but the unusual eight-sided exterior is clearly visible from the street.
Albert Steiger, the founder of a well-known regional retail chain, lived in the house and connected it to the city's economic development. Of the three octagon houses built in Westfield, only this one survives today, making it a notable remnant of this architectural trend.
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