Colonial homes

[Jim Morrison]

Almost every house is built with one of the foundation walls parallel to the road, right? Lately I've been noticing that many homes built during the 18th century seem to be built at a 45 degree angle, particularly if they are on the corner of intersecting streets. Is this common in other regions? Anyone ever hear of a good reason for it?

Illuminate me,

Jimmy

[Bill Kibbel]

Jimmy,

I don't know what the Puritans did up there, but in my region almost every home built before 1830, not in an established city or town, has the facade facing exactly south. My last home, constructed in 1690, was built with the north side into a hill and the more exposed facade facing south. This maximizes the natural light (and some passive solar). The street is on the uphill side or back of the home. It is in an historic village and the lane was there prior to the home being built.