“The leading promoter of eight-sided structures was Orson Squire Fowler.  Fowler was America’s foremost lecturer and writer on phrenology, the pseudo-science of defining an individual’s characteristics by the contours of the head.  In the middle of the 19^th century, Fowler made his mark on American architecture when he touted the advantages of octagonal homes over rectangular and square structures in his widely publicized book, The Octagon House: A Home for All.  According to Fowler, an octagon house was cheaper to build, allowed for additional living space, received more natural light, was easier to heat, and remained cooler in the summer.  This last attribute was an important point when the ruling principles of Victorian air conditioning were, avoid direct sun and pray for a breeze.”

“As a result of Orson Fowler’s authoritative publication, a few thousand octagonal houses were erected – mostly on the East Coast and in the Midwest.  Nationwide, less than 500 of these very rare, romantic, Victorian-era homes are still standing.  Even in their heyday, octagon houses never lined city street and neighborhood blocks.  On the contrary, an eight-sided home seemed to be the choice of the individualists, standing defiant among four-sided neighbors.”

Excerpt from: http://www.romeocomp.com/octagon/history.html Friends of the Octagon House website.

     When we returned to Texas I couldn’t forget the house and decided that one day I would build one.  My husband and I had been talking for a while about purchasing some land close to Medina Lake and decided to start looking.   One month later we had found what we considered the perfect lot!  The sale went on smoothly and only a month later we started to seriously think about designing our house.  I was determined to build an octagon but it took some time and patience to convince my husband and family.  There were no plans available so we had to rely on memories of the Longfellow house and photos of old octagon houses now turned into museums and Bed and Breakfasts.  Little by little the design and floor plan came to life and construction began in March 2003.  The house was finished early July 2004. 

    After being in our house for a few months I can honestly say that this is by far the most comfortable house we have ever lived in!  It consists of seven rooms on the lower level, five rooms upstairs, and a cupola.  All rooms radiate from a central staircase and very little space is wasted.  Most rooms are either triangular or rectangular in shape.  The house is not very large, only about 1,950 square feet, but it feels spacious and cozy at the same time.  It has been decorated in a traditional style with Victorian details such as stenciled ceilings, antique furnishings, and vintage accessories.  The view to the lake is breathtaking!  This is, as far as we know, the only Victorian style octagon house in San Antonio and one of the very few in Texas.