Now you are standing in front of one of the many “Wallingford bungalows”. There are many different kinds of bungalows; they were a cross between the Victorian style and the Queen Anne style homes. They mainly have a gable roof, a narrow front, and a detached garage.
Bungalow? What an interesting word! Mr. Veith, an architect we interviewed, had this to share.
MR. VEITH: 3 different uses of the word bungalow
The inside usually has 2 or 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and usually 1 and a half stories. They are small and easy households to manage. You might find bungalows all over the world. Some have additions on them because the people that live in them wanted to make them bigger and different.
MR. VEITH: (but the American bungalow…they were invented by the Green Brothers…)
Also what’s pretty interesting is that back when bungalows were first being built between 1910 and 1925 they only cost roughly $900 to $3, 500 (depending on size). People without much money usually bought them in their quest for the American Dream.
MR. VEITH: ( that became very popular because inexpensive and a working class community)
In the 70’s they were being sold for around $21, 000. Now they are being sold for $300, 000 to half-a-million. The market price of bungalows reflects how Wallingford has changed over the years, from a working class to an upper middle class neighborhood.
We can see bungalow houses from our classroom window at Hamilton International Middle School. Some have ponds, gardens, and trees. They look neat, clean, well-maintained and individualized.
Dunn Lumber, one of the other sites on our tour, used to supply some of the lumber to build these homes. They have changed their focus as the needs of the community have changed. They now offer expertise in the renovation of houses.
Mr. Veith said the bungalows are becoming popular once again. People want to build new houses that are variations on the old style. These houses are being built in Wallingford and in other neighborhoods.
Many bungalows on main streets in Wallingford have been turned into restaurants, law offices, and retail shops. They’ve added big decks in the front for outdoor dining. The interiors have been gutted to make space for dining rooms and professional kitchens. New fronts have been constructed to make the businesses stand out and to attract more customers.
Wallingford wouldn’t be Wallingford without the bungalows. Warning! Beware! After hearing this piece you won’t be able to go through Wallingford without noticing the bungalows.