I was tempted to simply identify this as a pyramidal farmhouse, as its appearance is defined by its steeply pitched roof and its location on the outskirts of town would suggest it would have had as much an agrarian as domestic purpose. It appears to have been abandoned for a few years but the presence of the wheelchair ramp indicates an older person lived here, perhaps someone who had been here for a long time and knew the history of the place.
Houses of this type are less common than they once were and as they vanish they push me to understand why they were built this way. Did their higher roofs trap more hot air than their lower hip roof cousins? Seems the logical answer. I know they had a central hallway, which in itself was a good conduit of natural air conditioning. They were also built as often in towns as in the country, but more examples today are found in the country.
Also note two chimneys instead of one central one. Sign of a more prosperous owner/builder?
I have seen lots of houses like this in rural SC as well.
“More examples today are found in the country” — maybe because ones in town were lost to fire or torn down to make way for other buildings?
Certainly a possibility, Rafe.
Great visit to Clyo, Brian! Enjoyed this!
African American folk artist Clementine Hunter is pictured in front of one of these buildings, I think it is still preserved. See web site for photo.
https://americanart.si.edu/artist/clementine-hunter-30514
The style of this building can be found in Africa. See “African Pitch Roof Huts.
I have always been curious about this stye house but have never been inside one. Do they usually have high ceilings or are they ever open all or partially to the rafters ? When did they begin to be built ? Going now to read your recommended article . Is it in a journal ?