A lightning splitter is an architectural design referring to wood-framed homes with sharply angled multi-story gable roof. The sharply angled gable was believed in local Rhode Island folklore to split or deflect bolts of lightning. Architectural evidence suggests that new constructions and modification of existing homes to the style were predominantly in the mid-19th century. By 1980, the number of surviving lightning splitter homes was believed to be about half a dozen.
Lightning splitters are named from the folklore or superstitious belief that the sharp angle of the gable will deflect or split lightning. The unique style arose in and around Providence, Rhode Island with the greatest prominence in constructions or modifications occurring in the mid-19th century. [1]
Daniel Pearce House (c1781) still stands at 53 Transit Street in Providence, noted by its steep "lightning splitter" roof.
A lightning splitter is an architectural design referring to wood-framed homes with sharply angled multi-story gable roof. The sharply angled gable was believed in local Rhode Island folklore to split or deflect bolts of lightning. Architectural evidence suggests that new constructions and modification of existing homes to the style were predominantly in the mid-19th century. By 1980, the number of surviving lightning splitter homes was believed to be about half a dozen.
Lightning splitters are named from the folklore or superstitious belief that the sharp angle of the gable will deflect or split lightning. The unique style arose in and around Providence, Rhode Island with the greatest prominence in constructions or modifications occurring in the mid-19th century. [1]
Daniel Pearce House (c1781) still stands at 53 Transit Street in Providence, noted by its steep "lightning splitter" roof.