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History of Gazebos
Introduction to Gazebos
Although the etymology of the word gazebo is shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear, gazebos have been fixtures in gardens for centuries. Their popularity and presence have become more widespread with every generation, and they have emerged as the most prevalent outdoor garden structure in the world. Originally called summerhouses, screen houses, kiosks, pavilions, pergolas, arbors, grottos, or pagodas, the existence of gazebos has been traced to the earliest gardens (except the Garden of Eden, of course).

Gazebos actually started out as towers or lanterns on the roofs of houses, and were built specifically to afford advantageous views of the surrounding areas. It wasn’t until years later that the structures were built on the ground as summerhouses.
 
Gazebos from the Beginning of Time
These structures were common in Egyptian gardens 5,000 years ago. As you might imagine, members of royalty were the first to have them. In fact, many considered their gardens to be earthly paradises, and believed they could take them to the afterlife. When one wished to do so, it was customary to have the plans for their dwellings and a complete layout of the garden depicted in a mural in one’s tomb. Such murals – gazebos included – have been found in tombs dating to 1400 B.C.

The structures were also popular in ancient Rome and Pompeii. As the population of Rome increased, the affluent and aristocratic began building summerhouses along the Mediterranean, complete with gazebos.

Also flourishing in the East, gazebos in tenth-century Persian gardens were anything from colorful tents with mats on the floors, to ornate, two-story structures with cupolas, marble columns, and golden seats. Some were even constructed across pools or streams so that the cold water running beneath their marble floors would help to cool them. Others were actually used as tombs for their owners.

China’s gazebos were also quite elaborate, while those in Japan (often called teahouses) were used in conjunction with the revered Tea Ceremonies, and were the places to rest, get in touch with one’s spiritual side, and absorb the beauty of the garden.

During the Renaissance, gazebos became popular in the gardens of monasteries as shrines and places of meditation.		 Old, stone gazebo
 
Middle Age Gazebos
Old, wooden gazebo
In the 14th century, France had four gazebos built at the Louvre. The French style influenced those in many other countries, including England, where they surged in popularity in the 15th century. In Elizabethan gardens, where they were commonly designed after the main house, they were used for entertaining.

During the late 1700’s, England and other parts of Europe got caught up in a craze for Chinese-style summerhouses, which began popping up in gardens everywhere.

Actually, it was this very fad that eventually led to the word gazebo. Virtually unknown before the mid-eighteenth century, it entered the vocabulary in a 1752 book, entitled, ‘New Designs for Chinese Temples’, by William Halfpenny (nom de plume for Michael Hoare), a prolific architectural writer, and his son, John. Nobody is sure of the origin of the word. Some etymologists have speculated that William Halfpenny playfully added the Latin ending –ebo, as in videbo (meaning ‘to see’ – also the origin of the word ‘video’) to the word ‘gaze’ to get the humorous meaning ‘I will look,’ as the structure has always been used primarily as a point of observation.
 
Early American Gazebos
Gazebos were not the foremost construction projects on the colonists’ minds in early America because, well… you know. Gazebos did not gain popularity here until the mid-1800’s with the prosperity of the new middle class. Although they fell slightly out of favor again around the turn of the century, as houses were being built with grand porches, they made a return to popularity around 1930. Apparently, there was no denying the advantage of having a quiet place to retreat to from the household chaos, not to mention the fact that they were status symbols nearly as coveted as automobiles.

In the 40’s, patios came into fashion and edged out gazebos for a while, but sometime during the 80’s, the gazebo came back with a vengeance.		 Early American gazebo
 
Gazebos of Today
Modern gazebos
20' Vinyl Double Roof Dodecagon Gazebo
10 Sided, White Vinyl, Bench Sections, Additional Entrance Space
Today, gazebos are springing up in homes and gardens across the country. Adaptable to the whims of the designer, they can be round, square, octagonal, or rectangular, small or large, ornate or plain, elegant or rustic, made of wood, metal, or even vinyl plastic, and include nearly any other customization that one can dream up.

Both national and city parks across the world harbor traditional gazebos or comfortable pavilions, zoos and amusement parks often cover their walkways with pergolas and hanging vines to provide some decorative shade, and they are still a prominent status-symbol for home owners. Fortunately, these structures are much easier to obtain today than they were just a couple generations ago. This civilized connection to nature is here to stay, and we would love the opportunity to help you create your own relaxing space of appreciation for the beautiful outdoors.
 


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