Ever Seen Stars on a New York House? Here’s What They Mean

Driving by houses quickly can make them all look the same... but take a closer look and there are a staggering number of details that make each one different. Some of them, however, are more mysterious than others.

Sometimes a house's uniqueness is thanks to the creativity of their owners (have you heard what colored lightbulbs on front porches mean?), other times it's a necessary part of the home's design.

What Does It Mean to Have a Star on Your House?

Stars on the sides of houses are not uncommon, but it also depends on the type of star. Seeing a solitary star, for instance, is usually a design choice, with the color potentially signifying different meanings. But what about the smaller, older stars?

Small Metal Stars on New York State Homes

Small, metal stars (usually in a line on the side of a house), are something different all together and a very necessary element of the home's construction. The first hint is in the material with which these houses are built.

Why Do Some Historic New York Homes Have Metal Stars?

Homes with this "feature" are old (18th or 19th century) masonry builds made with brick or stone. While they can be any shape (like the diamond above), the purpose for them is all the same... and it's much easier to figure it out once you learn their name: anchor plates.

What Are "Anchor Plates" on Historic New York Buildings?

Anchor plates on brick houses do exactly what their name implies by quite literally helping to hold (or anchor) the house together. The plates on opposing walls are connected with a metal rod that runs through the house, helping to keep the walls from bowing outwards.

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Seeing anchor plates is rare because they only exist on very old structures. Luckily, all the history in New York means that there are still plenty of buildings from that time period still standing. So the next time you're walking through a historic town, keep an eye out for a special star or two... can you spot the anchors on the house for sale below?