Kidwell House

The Kidwell House, built for the early Douglas postmaster, Joseph Kidwell, is a conglomerate of architectural elements derivative of the Gothic and Classical styles—both of which were “revived” from their ancient origins during the 18th century. One hallmark of the former, exemplified here, are the twin, steeply-pitched gables that dominate the front facade, with the broad barge boards, complete with ornamental apex pendants, emphasizing their geometry. Small rectangular windows are installed at the top of the gables, where one would normally expect to find air vents, and these admit light into the attic area. The broad, decorative entablature across the porch roof is a Classical element, as are the four supporting columns, which are octagonal in cross-section, and equipped with bases and capitals of similar configuration. And the projecting bay window on the south facade, roughly constituting one-half of a decagon, is similarly derivative of the Classical tradition. The work of assembling and unifying these various elements fell to the early Douglas architect, J. Bevan Phillips, who trained in Europe, served an apprenticeship with the Victorian architect, Alfred Waterhouse, and is credited with the design of several other early Douglas buildings, including the Florence Hardware Company and the Bolln Grocery, both in downtown Douglas; neither, however, exhibits the disparate range of styles manifest in the Kidwell building. Phillips died in early 1912; hence the Kidwell House was almost certainly one of his last designs.