The construction of Ranch-style houses began in the 1920s.This architectural style emerged as a variant of the Bungalow, a single- or one-and-a-half-story house with a verandah. The Ranch seems to be a simplification of the Bungalow, though it was made to be a convenient house. While some Ranches do have front porches, many are just simple, one-story houses with an attached garage.
Ranches have many distinct features, though some may lack certain features that others may possess. The shape of a Ranch-style house can be rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped. The exterior is often constructed in either wood or brick and the only embellishments usually found on the outside are decorative shutters. The low roof of a Ranch is often gabled, though some have hipped roofs. The eaves of the roof project far beyond the walls of the house. The windows below the house are often double-hung, sliding, and picture windows. In the rear of the house, sliding glass doors will lead out to a patio.
The Ranch style became popular in America during the middle of the twentieth century. As its popularity grew, the architectural style began to change and with it emerged new types of Ranches. While many owners of Ranch-style houses have modified them so that they are no longer a simple Ranch, you can still see some original Ranch-style houses on Staten Island. A number of these can be found in the neighborhoods of Dongan Hills, Midland Beach, Richmondtown, and Sunnyside.
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