Early Nebraska Homes: The "Ell"

The "L", "ell" or "gabled ell" is a type of house style that was very popular for the mid- to late 1800s settlers of the Great Plains.  The "ell" gets its name from the shape of the floor plan when a home has a perpendicular wing, creating an "L".  While some homes were constructed in an "L" shape new, many times the wings were added on to an existing rectangular home, and I've found that it was often done within the first couple years of initial construction, perhaps as finances allowed or as family size necessitated. 



photo by my 3x great uncle Willie Grimm, Nebraska abt. 1908



I think it is important to recognize this style of home because of its historic practicality and efficiency.  Unfortunately these old "L" shaped homes are disappearing rapidly because of obsolescence relative to modern living.  For instance, most of these homes were constructed without electricity, plumbing, ductwork or insulation; plus the stairs were often steep and doorways / ceilings very low, especially at the 2nd floor.

Most ells utilized gable roofs because of their simple design and ease of construction.  The less cutting and nailing required, the less expensive a home was to build.



photo by my 3x great uncle Willie Grimm, Nebraska abt. 1908



One of the neat features of the "ell" is that the nook created at the intersection of the house and wing makes an ideal porch.  Porches were essential on homes at the time because of the lack of air conditioning and plumbing.  They provided a shady place to stay cool and an area to wash off before walking through the door.

I have been watching these old ells disappear from my neighborhood, and there are a few more that will be razed soon.  I think it is important to recognize the importance of these homes as they served to our community and our ancestors very adequately, teaching us that you don't need 10' ceilings, walk in closets, or individual bedrooms for every member of the family to survive comfortably.



This old "ell" in southern Lancaster County Nebraska will
probably be burned or dozed in the next few months.