What is the fundamental definition of a boarding house as described in the text?

A boarding house is a type of dwelling, often a family home, where individuals rent one or more rooms on a nightly or extended basis (weeks, months, or years). The proprietor maintains common areas and may offer services like laundry and cleaning, typically providing both accommodation and some meals, known as "room and board."

What legal right does a lodger obtain in a boarding house, and what does this imply for the landlord?

Lodgers legally obtain a license to use their rooms, rather than exclusive possession. This means the landlord retains the right to access the rooms.

How have the facilities within boarding houses evolved over time, according to the text?

Historically, boarders often shared washing, breakfast, and dining facilities. More recently, it has become common for individual rooms to have their own washing and toilet facilities.

What does the phrase "boardinghouse reach" refer to, and what was its origin?

The phrase "boardinghouse reach" describes a diner reaching far across a dining table. It originated from the practice in boarding houses where food was served family-style, and everyone would scramble for the best dishes, with those having a long, fast reach eating best.

What different meal arrangements can boarders typically make in a boarding house?

Boarders can usually arrange for bed-and-breakfast (only breakfast), half-board (bed, breakfast, and dinner), or full-board (bed, breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

During what period were boarding houses particularly common in most US cities?

Boarding houses were common in most US cities throughout the 19th century and continued to be prevalent until the 1950s.

What proportion of Boston's population lived in boarding houses in the 1830s?

In the 1830s, when landlords and boarders were included, between one-third and one-half of Boston's entire population resided in boarding houses.

Beyond purpose-built structures, what other forms did boarding houses take historically?

Boarding houses also existed as large houses converted for the purpose, often when wealthy families moved to more fashionable areas. Additionally, "genteel ladies" might rent out a room or two to earn extra income.

Who typically resided in 19th-century boarding houses?

The boarders in the 19th century represented a wide range of people, including well-off businessmen, poor laborers, single individuals, and even families.

What percentage of urban dwellers in the 19th century were involved with boarding houses, either as renters or boarders?

In the 19th century, between one-third and one-half of urban dwellers either rented rooms to boarders or were boarders themselves.

What was the approximate cost of living in a New York City boarding house in 1869?

In 1869, the cost of living in a New York City boarding house ranged from $2.50 to $40 per week.

How did boarding houses facilitate social changes related to migration?

Boarding houses made it feasible for people to move to large cities and live independently, away from their families.

What were the dual social effects of people moving away from relatives to live in boarding houses?

The distance from relatives brought social anxieties and led to complaints that boarding house residents were not respectable. However, boarding also provided opportunities to meet new people, thus promoting social mixing and the exchange of ideas and stories.

What specific challenges or risks did women face regarding boarding houses?

Women had limited options. Co-ed boarding houses could expose them to objectionable men, while all-female boarding houses might be, or be suspected of being, brothels.

How did a Protestant minister, Walter Krumwilde, describe the boarding house system in 1916?

In 1916, Walter Krumwilde viewed the rooming or boarding house system as "spreading its web like a spider, stretching out its arms like an octopus to catch the unwary soul."

How did attempts to reduce boarding houses affect women?

Such attempts had a gendered impact because boarding houses were typically operated or managed by women ("matrons"). Closing these establishments reduced opportunities for women to earn a living.

Which organization provided heavily supervised boarding houses for young women?

The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) provided heavily supervised boarding houses for young women.

What metaphorical description was used for boarding houses that housed young unmarried women?

Boarding houses were sometimes viewed as "brick-and-mortar chastity belts" for young unmarried women, intended to protect them from the perceived vices of the city.

What were the key objectives of urban reformers regarding city modernization after the 1880s, and how did this affect housing for single people?

Urban reformers aimed for uniformity within areas, less social class mixture, maximum privacy for families, lower density, buildings set back from the street, and a permanent built order. These goals led to the reduction or elimination of housing for single people, including boarding houses.

How did the FHA Property Standards in 1936 define a dwelling, and what did this exclude?

In 1936, the FHA Property Standards defined a dwelling as any structure used principally for residential purposes. Commercial rooming houses and tourist homes, sanitariums, tourist cabins, clubs, or fraternities were not considered dwellings because they lacked the private kitchen and private bath that reformers deemed essential for a "proper home."

Besides urban reforms, what other factor contributed to the decline of boarding houses?

Improved mass transit options made it feasible for more city residents to live in the suburbs and commute to work in the city, reducing the need for urban boarding houses.

How did the typical occupants of boarding houses change from the 1930s/40s to the 1950s?

In the 1930s and 1940s, boarding houses were seen as respectable places for students, single workers, immigrants, and newlyweds. By the 1950s, with increased affordability of private homes and apartments, boarding houses began to be used more by postsecondary students, the working poor, or the unemployed.

How does a common lodging-house or flophouse typically differ from a boarding house?

A common lodging-house or flophouse usually offers only a space to sleep with minimal other services, whereas a boarding house typically provides accommodation along with meals and other services.

What is a key difference between a lodging house (or rooming house in the US) and a boarding house?

A lodging house, also known as a rooming house in the US, may or may not offer meals, whereas a boarding house typically includes "room and board," meaning both accommodation and some meals.

What are the defining characteristics of Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings?

SRO buildings rent individual rooms to residents and typically feature shared bathrooms. Some SROs also provide shared kitchen spaces for residents to prepare their own meals.

In what ways are microapartments similar to boarding houses?

Microapartments, rented as one or two rooms with access to shared common spaces in the building, are very similar to boarding houses in their setup.

How does a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation differ from a typical boarding house?

B&B accommodation is a specialized form of boarding house where guests usually stay only on a bed-and-breakfast basis, and long-term residence is rare.

What issue can arise with B&B accommodations provided by local authorities for housing the homeless?

Some B&Bs used for housing the homeless may exploit vulnerable individuals by allowing overcrowded rooms or offering unsatisfactory conditions for extended periods, ceasing to be attractive to short-term lodgers.

What is the Japanese equivalent of a boarding house, and what is the typical arrangement?

The Japanese equivalent is called *minshuku*. The normal arrangement is typically the equivalent of the English half-board, meaning bed, breakfast, and dinner.

What term is used for boarders in the Indian subcontinent, and what do the rates typically include?

Boarders in the Indian subcontinent are known as "paying guests." Monthly charges usually include food, bed, table, and a cupboard, with rates being nominal.

How have zoning laws been used in the United States concerning boarding houses?

In the United States, zoning has been employed by neighborhoods to limit or completely ban boarding houses.

Where did Sherlock Holmes reside, and who provided domestic service?

Sherlock Holmes lived at 221B Baker Street, and his landlady, Mrs. Hudson, provided some domestic service.

How is Thomas Wolfe connected to boarding houses in his literature?

Thomas Wolfe richly chronicled his life growing up in his mother's boarding house, "Dixieland," in Asheville, North Carolina, in his novel *Look Homeward, Angel*.

Name some American Girl characters whose stories involve living in boarding houses.

Addy Walker, Claudie Wells, and Kit Kittredge's family (who turned their home into one) are American Girl characters whose stories feature boarding houses.

What notable work did Mary Roberts Rinehart write that is set in a boarding house?

Mary Roberts Rinehart wrote the boarding-house mystery, *The Case of Jennie Brice*, in 1913.

Which novel by H.G. Wells satirized Edwardian-era boarding houses?

H.G. Wells satirized Edwardian-era boarding houses in his novel *The Dream* (1924).

Where did E. Phillips Oppenheim set his espionage novel *The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent*?

E. Phillips Oppenheim set his espionage novel *The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent* (1934) in a London boarding house.

Where does the climax of Patrick Hamilton's 1941 novel *Hangover Square* take place?

The climax of Patrick Hamilton's 1941 novel *Hangover Square* occurs in a dingy Maidenhead boarding house.

What is the setting for Lynne Reid Banks' 1960 novel *The L-Shaped Room*?

Lynne Reid Banks' 1960 novel *The L-Shaped Room* is set in a run-down boarding house.

Which Stephen King novel features a character staying at Eva Miller's boarding house?

The 1975 horror novel *Salem's Lot* by Stephen King features the main character, Ben Mears, staying at Eva Miller's boarding house.

What is the name of the boarding house where Mattie Ross stays in *True Grit*, and what happens there?

In *True Grit*, the protagonist Mattie Ross stays at the Monarch Boarding House, where she is forced to share a bed with a long-term resident and experiences a robust communal meal.

What role do boarding houses play in Horatio Alger's rags-to-riches tales?

In Horatio Alger's 19th-century tales, the young heroes often experience life in boarding houses, encountering both unscrupulous and kindly proprietors as they navigate their upward or downward journeys.

What is the name of the lodging house where William de Worde lives in Terry Pratchett's *The Truth*?

In Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel *The Truth*, the protagonist William de Worde lives in Mrs. Arcanum's Lodging House for Respectable Working Men.

What is the setting for the 1927 film *The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog*?

The 1927 film *The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog* has a boarding house as its setting.

What type of establishment serves as the setting for the 1937 film *Stage Door*?

The 1937 film *Stage Door* is set in a boarding house.

How are Charles Foster Kane's parents connected to a boarding house in the film *Citizen Kane*?

In the film *Citizen Kane*, Charles Foster Kane's parents own a boarding house.

Who owns a boarding house in the alternate universe of Pottersville in *It's a Wonderful Life*?

In the alternate universe of Pottersville in *It's a Wonderful Life*, Mrs. Bailey owns a boarding house.

Where does much of the plot of the 1951 film *The Day the Earth Stood Still* take place?

Much of the plot of the 1951 film *The Day the Earth Stood Still* takes place in a Washington, D.C. boarding house.

Which character in *The Ghost and Mr. Chicken* lives in a boarding house?

In the 1966 film *The Ghost and Mr. Chicken*, the main character and aspiring reporter, Luther Heggs, lives in a boarding house.

Where does the protagonist, Eilis Lacey, stay in the film *Brooklyn*?

In the film *Brooklyn*, the main protagonist, Eilis Lacey, stays at a boarding house.

Who runs the boarding house in the animated film *From Up On Poppy Hill*?

In the animated film *From Up On Poppy Hill*, the main character, Umi, lives with and helps her grandmother run a boarding house.

Boarding House Wiki: The Boarding House: A Historical and Sociological Perspective on Transient Lodging

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What is a Boarding House?

A Home for Lodgers

A boarding house is fundamentally a dwelling, often a family home, where individuals, known as lodgers, rent one or more rooms. This arrangement typically occurs on a nightly basis but can extend to weeks, months, or even years. The proprietor maintains the common areas of the house and may offer services such as laundry and cleaning. Crucially, it provides "room and board," encompassing both accommodation and some meals.

Legal Framework

From a legal standpoint, lodgers acquire a license to use their rooms rather than exclusive possession. This distinction is significant, as it means the landlord retains the right of access to the rented spaces. This legal nuance shapes the relationship between the proprietor and the resident.

The Essence of "Room and Board"

The core offering of a boarding house is "room and board." This implies not only a place to sleep but also the provision of meals. While the extent of meals can vary, it traditionally includes breakfast and dinner, distinguishing it from simple room rentals.

Arrangements & Services

Evolving Amenities

Historically, boarders often shared communal facilities for washing, breakfast, and dining. However, contemporary boarding houses frequently provide private washing and toilet facilities within each room. This shift reflects changing expectations regarding privacy and convenience in lodging.

Strategic Locations

Boarding houses historically flourished in specific types of locations. They were commonly found in English seaside towns, catering to tourists, and in college towns, providing accommodation for students. They also served as a means for elderly residents to earn supplementary income by renting out rooms.

Boarding Options

Lodgers could typically arrange various levels of service:

Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B): Accommodation and breakfast only.
Half-Board: Accommodation, breakfast, and dinner.
Full-Board: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For families, particularly on holiday, full-board boarding offered a more economical alternative compared to many hotels.

"Boardinghouse Reach"

The idiom "boardinghouse reach" originates from the practice of serving meals family-style. Food was placed on the table, and residents would reach for the best dishes. Those with a long or quick reach often secured the most desirable portions, highlighting a competitive, albeit informal, aspect of communal dining.

Historical Context

19th Century Urban Hubs

Boarding houses were ubiquitous in American cities throughout the 19th century and remained prevalent until the mid-20th century. In cities like Boston during the 1830s, a significant portion of the population—between one-third and one-half—lived in boarding houses, either as proprietors or lodgers. This included a wide demographic, from affluent businessmen to laborers, and even families. Large homes were often converted into boarding houses as affluent families relocated.

Social Dynamics and Mobility

The boarding house system facilitated social change by enabling individuals to move to cities and live independently from their families. This mobility fostered social mixing, exposing residents to new ideas and diverse individuals. However, it also introduced social anxieties, with concerns about the respectability of boarders and the potential for encountering disreputable individuals. For women, options were often limited, with co-ed houses posing risks and all-female houses sometimes facing suspicion.

Decline and Transformation

Several factors contributed to the decline of boarding houses in the 20th century. Urban reformers advocated for more private, single-family dwellings, influencing zoning codes and housing standards (e.g., FHA Property Standards) that favored homes with private kitchens and baths. Improved mass transit made suburban living feasible, and a post-war housing boom allowed more middle-class individuals to afford private homes or apartments. Consequently, boarding houses became less common and often housed students, the working poor, or the unemployed, leading to deterioration in some areas.

Related Lodging Concepts

Differentiating Lodging Types

Boarding houses share characteristics with several other forms of accommodation:

Common Lodging-House/Flophouse: Typically offered minimal services, often just a place to sleep, sometimes for a single night.
Rooming House: Similar to a boarding house but may not include meals.
Single-Room Occupancy (SRO): Rents individual rooms with shared bathrooms and sometimes kitchens, often for long-term residents.
Dormitory: Student accommodations that resemble boarding houses when including dining facilities.
Microapartments: Modern, compact living spaces with shared common areas, echoing the boarding house model.

Global Equivalents

The concept of boarding houses extends globally:

Minshuku (Japan): A near-equivalent, typically offering half-board arrangements.
Paying Guests (Indian Subcontinent): Residents live in a home, sharing rooms and facilities, often including meals, with rates varying based on amenities.
Bed and Breakfast (B&B): While often associated with short-term stays, B&Bs in some regions (like the UK) are used by local authorities for long-term housing of vulnerable populations, sometimes leading to overcrowded or unsatisfactory conditions.

Legal and Zoning Considerations

Zoning Laws and Restrictions

In the United States, zoning regulations have historically been employed by communities to limit or outright ban boarding houses. These measures often reflect a desire for neighborhood uniformity, increased privacy, and reduced density, aligning with broader urban reform movements that favored single-family residences over multi-occupant dwellings.

Boarding Houses in Popular Culture

Literary Depictions

Boarding houses have served as significant settings and thematic elements in literature, reflecting societal norms, personal journeys, and the transient nature of urban life.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Jo March resides in a New York boarding house while pursuing her writing career, encountering various lodgers and forming a relationship with Professor Bhaer.
Sherlock Holmes: The famous detective resided at 221B Baker Street, a boarding house managed by his landlady, Mrs. Hudson.
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe: The novel vividly chronicles the author's upbringing in his mother's boarding house, "Dixieland," in early 20th-century Asheville.
American Girl Series: Characters like Addy Walker and Claudie Wells live in boarding houses, illustrating historical contexts in Philadelphia and Harlem, respectively. Kit Kittredge's family also turns their home into a boarding house during the Great Depression.
The Case of Jennie Brice by Mary Roberts Rinehart: A classic boarding-house mystery from 1913.
The Dream by H. G. Wells: Satirizes Edwardian-era boarding houses.
The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent by E. Phillips Oppenheim: An espionage novel set in a London boarding house.
Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton: The climax of this 1941 novel occurs in a boarding house.
The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks: Set in a run-down boarding house.
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King: Protagonist Ben Mears stays at Eva Miller's boarding house.
True Grit by Charles Portis: Mattie Ross stays at the Monarch Boarding House, experiencing communal meals and shared accommodations.
Horatio Alger Tales: Characters often experience life in boarding houses, encountering proprietors who influence their upward or downward mobility.
Discworld Series: William de Worde lives in Mrs. Arcanum's Lodging House in Terry Pratchett's The Truth.

Cinematic and Television Portrayals

Boarding houses have frequently appeared in films and television shows, serving as settings for drama, mystery, and comedy.

Films: Numerous films, including The Star Boarder (1914), The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927), Stage Door (1937), Citizen Kane (1941), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), Demon Knight (1995), and Brooklyn (2015), feature boarding houses as central or significant settings.
Television: Shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("The Landlady"), Hey Arnold! (Sunset Arms boarding house), The Vampire Diaries (Salvatore Boarding House), and the South Korean series Reply 1994 are set in or prominently feature boarding houses.

Other Media

The boarding house concept also appears in other media formats.

Podcasts: The podcast Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery features a struggling boarding house.
Comics: Strips like Bloom County (based on Linsay House) and Our Boarding House (1921–1984) are set in boarding houses.
Board Games: The game Arkham Horror includes encounters at "Ma's Boarding house."

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The Boarding House: A Haven in Transition

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is a Boarding House? ℹ️

🏠 A Home for Lodgers

⚖️ Legal Framework

🍽️ The Essence of "Room and Board"

Arrangements & Services 🍽️

🛋️ Evolving Amenities

📍 Strategic Locations

⭐ Boarding Options

↔️ "Boardinghouse Reach"

Historical Context 🕰️

🏙️ 19th Century Urban Hubs

👥 Social Dynamics and Mobility

📜 Decline and Transformation

Related Lodging Concepts 🏘️

🛏️ Differentiating Lodging Types

🌍 Global Equivalents

Legal and Zoning Considerations ⚖️

📜 Zoning Laws and Restrictions

Boarding Houses in Popular Culture 🎭

📚 Literary Depictions

🎬 Cinematic and Television Portrayals

🎙️ Other Media

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is a Boarding House?

A Home for Lodgers

Legal Framework

The Essence of "Room and Board"

Arrangements & Services

Evolving Amenities

Strategic Locations

Boarding Options

"Boardinghouse Reach"

Historical Context

19th Century Urban Hubs

Social Dynamics and Mobility

Decline and Transformation

Related Lodging Concepts

Differentiating Lodging Types

Global Equivalents

Legal and Zoning Considerations

Zoning Laws and Restrictions

Boarding Houses in Popular Culture

Literary Depictions

Cinematic and Television Portrayals

Other Media

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice