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 structures 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.
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Gazebos 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 thought of their gardens as 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.
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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. Stymied etymologists have speculated that William Halfpenny playfully added the Latin ending –ebo, as in videbo (‘I shall see’) 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. Although no one can prove it, believe it or not, that’s the best educated guess!
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Whatever the case, in early America, gazebos were not foremost on the colonists’ minds, 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 around 1930. Apparently, there was no denying the advantage of having a quiet place to retreat to from the household chaos. Gazebos were also status symbols.
In the 40’s, patios came into fashion and edged out gazebos for awhile, but some time during the 80’s, the gazebo came back with a vengeance.
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Today, they’re springing up in homes and gardens all 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, and anything else that one can dream up.
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…Our gazebos weathered Hurricane Katrina just fine…
N.W. Mobile, AL
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Arrived in a timely fashion, nothing was missing, instructions were easy to follow. I would do business with them again and have recommended them to others.
T.D. - Watsonville, CA
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We are very pleased with how the gazebo turned out and I would be happy to be a reference for your company.
S.F. – Warrington, PA
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…We love it. I had my first nap in [the gazebo] today.
S.E. – Stoughton, WI
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Prompt shipping; good, friendly customer service when I called to ask an assembly question
J.S.B. - Brevard, NC
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Outstanding service
R.W. - Collegeville, PA
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