<P> A saltbox house is a traditional New England style of house with a long, pitched roof that slopes down to the back, generally a wooden frame house . A saltbox has just one story in the back and two stories in the front . The flat front and central chimney are recognizable features, but the asymmetry of the unequal sides and the long, low rear roof line are the most distinctive features of a saltbox, which takes its name from its resemblance to a wooden lidded box in which salt was once kept . </P> <P> The saltbox originated in New England, and is an example of American colonial architecture . Folklore holds that the saltbox form was popularized by Queen Anne's taxation of houses greater than one story . Since the rear of the roof descended to the height of a single - story building, the structure was exempt from the tax . Actually, the saltbox shape evolved organically from the need for additional space for growing families; adding a lean - to was an economical way to enlarge the house . All but two of the examples below predate Queen Anne . </P>

Why is a saltbox house called a saltbox
find me the text answering this question