Downer Place west of the West Side Historic District provides excellent examples of homes which demonstrate the architectural history of residential styles. They include the ornate Queen Anne style from the Victorian era, the various and disparate styles of the early 20th Century, and the Modern ranch style.

In the early 20th century the Classical, Colonial, and Romantic Revivals based on European precedents occurred simultaneously with the unique indigenous Prairie School style. The Colonial Revival homes were influenced by the rebirth of interest in the early English and Dutch houses, and include the Georgian and Adam styles. The Tudor Revival style was popular through 1940, and featured steeply pitched roofs, stucco, brick or stone walls, often with half timbering and prominent chimneys.

The Prairie style was developed in the Midwest during this period, but its influence subsided in 1920. This style grew from the Arts and Crafts Movement which emphasized individuality and incorporating the indigenous features of an area into the architecture. Thus in the Midwest, the prairie was predominant and used for inspiration, including a horizontal emphasis achieved in architecture with low-pitched roofs and wide overhanging eaves. Native prairie elements were also featured as details in the building. The modern homes were greatly influenced by the principles developed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie style.