Box-and-Strip Building

The simple box-and-strip construction technique appeared in the Plains and in Texas in the late 1800s after milled lumber became available but was still expensive in some hard-to-reach areas. Requiring a minimum of wood, the building method involved nailing vertical boards to a bottom sill and top plate, then merely covering up the cracks with thin wood strips. The look was similar to board-and-batten siding, but the strips were wider and rougher, and there was no balloon frame for support underneath. Characteristics include brick chimney, boxed eaves, split wood shingles, shed roof, rafter ends, wood pier, paneled door, and four-over-four double-hung sash. ()