Discover the Hidden Purpose of These Intriguing Symbols on Old Buildings

by: Nina Ross
October 2, 2024

Anchor plates, also known as wall washers or floor plates, are essential components in masonry buildings, designed to reinforce structures against lateral bowing. These plates, often cast or wrought iron, are connected to tie rods or bolts that run through the building, securing the exterior walls. Commonly found in older buildings across Europe and in cities with extensive 18th- and 19th-century construction, such as New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston, these plates help maintain the structural integrity of aging masonry.

Like spacers, anchor plates are mainly utilised to ensure that walls do not widen but they can be in a variety of ornamental designs. The star anchor is probably one of the most familiar shapes; It is a star pattern, consisting of five rays and can be easily noticed branded on the fronts of a variety of historic brick structures. Contemporary other designs feature triangular washers, S-irons, T-heads; although these appear geometrically distinct from the flat round-head, they represent an additional type of bolts. While they are called “pattress plates” in the United Kingdom, circular restraints are known as such, and rectangular ones – as “tie bars”.

These are flat plates normally constructed of cast iron, wrought iron or steel; they are a flemish innovation intended for use as masonry supports. Subsequently, they transformed from mere structural appendages into ornamental features and were carved into numbers on the_columns corresponding to the year of construction or the letter on the_name of the building’s owner. In addition to being structural members, anchor plates act as structural parts primarily responsible for providing support to the building and are also considered to be ornamentally historic and part of the beauty of many an ancient city, town or village.

For this reason, the form and functionality which define these plates still make them significant assets today and the preservation of architectural value cannot be underestimated. Regardless whether they are stars, letters or just geometric shapes at the base, anchor plates remain to keep walls and history together.

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