Many century homes built between 1900 and 1920 skipped fireplaces because steam and hot-water radiator heating systems were cutting-edge technology then. These homes used coal furnaces to distribute heat efficiently, eliminating the need for fireplaces. Lack of a hearth wasn’t a flaw but reflected a modern approach to home heating that offered cleaner walls, fewer drafts, and more usable space. This innovation helped shape some early 20th-century designs in many regions.