In the United States, the term "Queen Anne" encompasses a broad spectrum of picturesque buildings characterized by "free Renaissance" details, serving as an alternative to the more formal French-derived Second Empire and Beaux-Arts styles. This architectural style flourished from 1880 to 1910 and continued to influence designs well into the 1920s.

Distinctive features of American Queen Anne architecture include:

• Asymmetrical façades
• Dominant front-facing gables, often protruding beyond the wall below
• Overhanging eaves
• Towers of various shapes, including round, square, or polygonal
• Shaped and Dutch gables
• Porches that cover part or all of the front façade, often including the main entrance area
• Second-story porches or balconies
• Pedimented porches
• Diverse wall textures, such as patterned wood shingles, terra cotta tiles, or relief panels
• Decorative elements like dentils, classical columns, and spindle work
• Oriel and bay windows
• Horizontal bands of leaded windows
• Grand chimneys
• Painted balustrades
• Wooden or slate roofs

Front gardens often featured wooden fences, adding to the charm and character of Queen Anne-style homes across the country.