Brownstone is a type of sandstone that was popular in construction worldwide in the 19th century, particularly in upper-class regions. Its unique reddish-brown color comes from iron oxides dissolved in the rock. However, it proved to be a soft and crumbly material, leading builders to turn to stronger and more versatile materials. Existing examples of brownstone architecture can still be seen in many places, especially on the East Coast of the United States.
Brownstone is a word used both to refer to a type of building material and to structures built or clad in it. While most closely associated with the Eastern United States, this material was at one point used worldwide in construction, particularly in upper-class regions. A distinctive architectural style using sandstone is very familiar to many residents of industrialized nations. Its popularity as a building material declined as builders began to realize that it held up poorly and that other materials might be better suited.
The building material is a type of sandstone, which was heavily deposited in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey during the Late Triassic. Sandstone deposits have also formed in other parts of the world. The stone’s unique reddish-brown color comes from the iron oxides dissolved in the rock. It proved relatively easy to quarry and carve, and became a popular building material in the 19th century.
New York and Boston both have large numbers of brownstones built in the form of terraces or townhouses with raised entrances. Harlem, Park Slope and Brooklyn all have large numbers of such homes in varying condition. The stone can also be found in structures throughout the United States and Europe, especially in large cities.
The sandstone quarries provided stable employment and income to the towns in which they were located. However, the ease with which the stone could be quarried proved to be an indicator of its overall strength. The sculptures and ornate ornaments that characterize many 19th-century buildings quickly wore away when carved out of sandstone, which is a soft, crumbly material unlike marble or granite. Stone also had a risk of failing when used as a vital component of construction.
As a result, builders have turned to stronger and more versatile materials for construction. A very stone-like reddish-brown granite is now being used to repair old brownstone homes or build new structures designed to mimic them. While no longer popular in new homes, existing examples of the sandstone can be seen in many places. Especially on the East Coast of the United States, homeowners tend to take pride in homes built with this material, ensuring that examples of 19th-century sandstone architecture will be available in the future for people to look at. In some cities, tour guides will take visitors on walking tours of the city to visit neighborhoods filled with these old stately homes.
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