Second Empire is an architectural style, most popular between 1865 and 1880, and so named for the architectural elements in vogue during the era of the Second French Empire. As the Second Empire style evolved from its 17th century Renaissance foundations, it acquired an eclectic mix of earlier European styles, most notably the Baroque often combined with mansard roofs and low, square based domes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Empire_architecture)
The style imitated French building fashions during the years of Louis Napoleon's Second Empire. The defining feature for the style is the Mansard roof, a dual-pitched hipped roof with dormer windows on the steep lower slope. The ornamentation of the Second Empire style is typically lavish, with ornate molded cornices, decorative brackets and embellished window and door surrounds. (http://www.historicnewalbany.com/default.asp?q_printview=1&q_areaprimaryid=9)
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