A visit to Helen reveals a multitude of architectural styles, mostly German ones. One of the most... Black Forest Houses provid

It's easily recognized by the additional roof pulled part way down the front and rear of the house, like the brim of a hat. The purpose of a four-sided roof was, of course, protection from harsh weather. Its steep pitch avoids the build-up of heavy snow loads.

Actually, the Black Forest region of Southern Germany bears a remarkable resemblance to Georgia's Blue Ridge. Its highest elevation is 4,898 feet at the Feldberg Mountain. This compares to Brasstown Bald, which reaches 4,784 feet.

The climate is similar to North Georgia and the mountainous parts of North Carolina, although slightly cooler and cloudier on average. This means long stretches of humid weather, summer and winter. Plentiful rain alternates with snow in the cold season.

The challenges imposed by the weather and the steep hilly landscape was what produced the concept of the Black Forest House several centuries ago.

The ground floor featured the main entrance and led into a cozy sitting room (the "Bauernstube" with its huge wood-burning heater) connected to the kitchen. The well-to-do also had a more formal living room, which wasn't used very often.

During the 17th and 18th century, the smoke room for meat and sausage was on this level or below, and no chimneys were used at first. Smoke penetrating all rooms and levels of the house put a natural varnish on the wood, preserving it from moisture damage (a dire necessity) and insects.

The houses still standing today in Germany have wooden walls that feel tough as rock. Natural convection ensured that the smoke would rise from the lowest level into the attic.

Due to the frequent rains in the Black Forest, hay was usually wet or at least humid when brought in for storage. There again, the penetrating smoke dried and disinfected this only source of winter feed.

At the beginning of the 20th century, introduction of chimneys led to the need for wood preservatives and aeration of the hay. At the very bottom level of the house, usually with a separate entrance, were the stables.

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