What year do you think this "shotgun" house was built?

This house was moved onto family land in the 1970's and I'm curious as to when it was actually built. It was moved by my grandmother who has since passed away and she didn't keep any records of its purchase. I contacted local city hall and they have no records prior to the mid-1990's. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around this but I guess everything was completely wiped out by a tornado. Does anyone have any ideas?

Attachments:

shotgunhouse.JPG, 271 KB
window lock.JPG, 164 KB
floor.JPG, 178 KB

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Permalink Reply by Par on January 28, 2013 at 6:40pm

Forgot to add that the siding is not original, I can see smaller plank wood siding underneath in some exposed areas. The room on the very back, the kitchen, looks like an addition.

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Permalink Reply by Annette K Doxsey on January 28, 2013 at 9:39pm

I had the same window latches in my 1898 victorian and in my current transitional home built some where around 1900-1920, but they could have been put in anytime after 1940 I am guessing? Someone correct me if I am wrong, I am no expert but I would guess it is at least close to 100, maybe way off base, there are lots of people w/more experience than I have, be patient, hopefully someone else will comment.

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Permalink Reply by Lair Tienter on January 29, 2013 at 5:38pm

The last time I remember seeig a house like that was when my aunt and uncle rented one in the late 50's. It was an area where there were one of these everywhere with room betweeen them to park a small car. It looked like an old time trailer park. They were built in the 30's and used for Japanese Americans to live in during the war. I was some kind of a camp for them to live together. If it was for their protection or for others but it was a camp until after the war was over then the Gov. sold them off and resold the land they were on. That's just my guess since I don't know what area you live in. Lair

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Permalink Reply by Lindsay Stuber on January 30, 2013 at 11:45am

It's a hard to tell the age of your home by the pictures you have since as someone said above, many of these elements can be added at later dates. Try going to your library and see of they have any Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps on file for your city. These were maps that can go back to 1867 that shows (by address) the footprint of the home along with details like the location of windows and doors,building materials, outbuildings, etc. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Phil on January 30, 2013 at 12:47pm

Sanborn maps are a great idea. The window sash lock is attached with Phillips head screws. I am thinking that those were not widely used before WWII, but I really don't have any actual exact knowledge on that.

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Permalink Reply by caseypratt on February 4, 2013 at 1:17pm

I would think by the photos that it was built between 1930 and 1950's. Can't tell by the pic exactly, but 2 1/4" strip yellow pine flooring was really popular in the 30's. If it's fir, that in my mind would place it post WWII.

I take it this is somewhere in the south since tornadic destruction was referenced.

Casey