The original architect, John Richards, first designed the octagon house just before the Civil War. Whether he was in competition with his fellow land owners and town leaders or was merely trying to impress Eliza Forbes, his heiress wife. The impressive structure he left behind still draws fascinated visitors to the elegant eight sided mansion in Watertown, Wisconsin every day.
The original octagon house floor plan, built in 1854, is a fantastic 5 story brick building with 57 rooms. It also contains forerunners of modern conveniences such as running water, central heating and ventilation systems. A 40-foot-high cantilevered staircase also graces the interior.
John Richards was most likely influenced by fellow designer, Orson Fowler, who was a leading spokesperson for the construction of eight sided houses. At that time, the octagon house was touted as being an efficient, economic and beautifully esthetic housing design that dated back to the ancient Roman architects.
There were at least 36 homes constructed from the octagon house floor plan between 1844 and 1905. All of these homes were located in Wisconsin. Octagonal houses continued to be built through the Civil War. After that time period, most octagonal houses were either torn down or remodeled until they lost their original shape.
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