My 1920's home has 2 front doors, does anyone know why they built them like this?

Question

It has never been remodeled, and there are several in town like it.From first look you would think it was an apartment. Several people have told us that is the was just the way they built them, however the why is driving me nuts!!

they are not double doors, and it has ever been remodeled into apartments. but there is a single door, then about 4 feet down, another. Kind of reminds me of in and out doors. Please help because the WHY is driving me nuts !

Answer 1

I may be wrong, but I always assumed those had been installed so that the room boarder could have their own entrance. Those were bleak days the 20's. Times were hard, people oftened took in boarders to help make ends meet and plenty of people were happy to be the boarders. Money was really tight for most all common people. So every time I've ever looked at those I've always thought about the second entrance as that. For the privacy of the owner to let out a room without the boarder coming and going in the front door.

I've been in the real estate business for a long time, and have never discussed the matter with anyone.

Please let me know what you finally discover. Because certainly there was a practical reason for such a design.

Best of luck,

ADDED INFO FROM WEB SEARCH:
Many houses from the 19th century had two front doors.

According to SearchWarp , “there's a very logical reason for this. One
door leads into the "keeping room", where the family keeps house. The
keeping room contains the large fireplace for cooking, and of course a
table and chairs for the family to relax. This is not the room you
want to introduce your guests into! So a second door would lead into
the living room, which was probably only used for special occasions."

SearchWarp
http://searchwarp.com/swa14581.htm



Older homes with two front doors are quite common in KY and in other states.

“One door normally let into the parlor or living room; the other door
could lead into the family's private area - the bedroom etc. There was
normally a wall between the two doors which could, if necessary, be
converted into 2 separate families living in the same house with their
own privacy.

Old churches always had 2 doors - the men entered in one door and sat on
one side of the church; the women on the other. School houses also were
built with way with one door for the boys and one for the girls; each
sitting on the appropriate sides.”
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/SOUTH-CENTRAL-KENTUCKY/2005-01/1105901974


Houses with Two Front Doors in Louisiana
http://www.oldhousesoflouisiana.com/wm_800a_034.htm

Answer 2

1920 Front Door

Answer 3

I'm assuming your two front doors both lead into the same large front room. The two doors, usually with built with screens and glass panels that are switchable. We're to create greater air circulation for summer time. There were often less windows in early 1920 houses in part because glass was expensive and the two doors helped make up for it in air flow.

Answer 4

I'm not sure why, but just today, I looked at two houses from the same era that had the same set up. My Realtor and I tried to figure out if the house had ever been a duplex, but it really didn't seem like it could have been. I didn't think much of it, but having read your question, it's driving me nuts, too.

Thanks!

Answer 5

It is part of the art deco style popular of that time double doors were supposed to create a grand entrance.

Answer 6

It was the style of the day.