William W. Gray House, Historic Queen Anne residence in Grayville, United States
The William W. Gray House is a Queen Anne-style residence in Grayville featuring a steep hip roof with patterned multicolored shingles and a wraparound porch supported by Tuscan columns. Bracketed gables and a distinctive third-level tower add to its layered facade, creating a prominent corner property on North Court Street.
The house was built in 1885 for William W. Gray Sr., one of Grayville's founders, reflecting his wealth and prominence in the developing town. Its design came from George Franklin Barber, a noted architect who specialized in mail-order house patterns that could be customized for different clients.
The residence reflects residential design preferences of the 1880s, with decorative wooden shingles and a distinctive third-level tower that show how prosperous families expressed status through architecture. These elements became sought-after features in homes throughout the region during that era.
The property sits four blocks from the Wabash River, making it easy to reach on foot within Grayville's downtown area and walkable residential neighborhoods. Since this is a private residence, you can view it from the street, but visiting the interior requires prior arrangement with the current owners.
The west-facing gable features a decorative blind window that actually conceals a chimney opening in the attic rather than revealing a room behind it. This hidden practical solution shows how late 1800s architects balanced function with visual design details.
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