In the middle of the nineteenth century, an architectural phenomenon swept through the United States: the octagon house. Orson S. Fowler, best known for his work as a phrenologist, began this trend with the publication of A Home for All in 1848. Though this house form may seem unusual and even inexplicable today, the octagon house must be regarded in relation to the culture of this period. In this context, an understanding of the significance and embrace of this unique residential architecture can be gained. Although octagon houses were built throughout the United States, the intersection of several unique cultural and historical factors existed in the Midwest in this period, creating a region particularly receptive to this novel house form. The octagon house, though only briefly popular, made a lasting impact on the built environment that represents a tangible link to the culture of the middle of the nineteenth century. / Department of Architecture