This house represents a type especially characteristic of late-nineteenth-century Victoria: the vernacular I-house, with a wing projecting forward from the front of the house to disrupt the symmetry associated with the I-house type. The Townsend House is notable for the huge two-over-two-pane sash windows inside its double gallery, which open from floor-level sills, although smaller two-over-two windows prevail on unsheltered first-floor openings and conservative six-over-six windows occupy second-floor openings. The house is also notable for being the residence (and in some cases the office) of three African American physicians: Dr. Townsend, who built it and lived here until 1904; Dr. John H. Wilkens, who succeeded to Townsend's practice; and Dr. Wilkens's son, Dr. George Wilkens.