Style Characteristics
By the turn of the century, the Neoclassical style emerged as a dominant force in American architecture. In the Neoclassical style, there was concern for historical correctness of detail but not of overall execution or scale. Neoclassical buildings tend to be meticulously detailed and of massive scale, which sets them quite apart from Greek Revival buildings with casually interpreted classical ornamentation and modest scale.
Key Features
Architectural Neoclassicism prevailed into the 1930s, most notably in large public and commercial buildings and in skyscrapers. Characteristics of the style include the use of classical elements, such as a columned portico, pilasters, keystones, pedimented openings, and dentils along the cornice.
Valparaiso Examples
Most examples of the Neoclassical style are found at
Valparaiso University in some of its older buildings and, of course, at Valparaiso City Hall (shown below).