Architectural Patrimony

Historical Reference

Bywater is an urban area of approximately 120 squares (blocks) with a mixed residential and commercial character. It began in the early nineteenth century as a Creole, downriver, suburb of the original City of New Orleans. Settlers included Creoles, "free persons of color", Germans, Irish, and later on Italian immigrants. These settlers gave Bywater a distinctively Creole look that contrasts with the American settled areas of uptown. Most buildings are set directly on the street and are very close together similar to those in the Vieux Carre. Front yards and off street parking is the exception. Vistas within the district are fairly channeled because of the urban density and building height. Most of the buildings are single story, but are raised well above grade and have high cornice lines because of high ceilings.3

The historical period of Bywater is defined as 1807 through 1935 with most houses dating from the mid-nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. Approximately 87% of all Bywater buildings date from this period.3

Houses

The major house types in Bywater include Creole cottages, shotgun houses, camelback houses, side hall plan houses, and commercial buildings. We will describe and illustrate theses building types below and on the following pages.

Creole Cottage

There are approximately 178 Creole Cottages in Bywater which is 8% of the building stock.

Shotgun House

There are about 1249 Shotgun Houses in Bywater which is 61% of the building stock.

Camelback House

67 Bywater buildings are Camelback Houses, or 3%.

Side Hall Plan House

121, or 6% of Bywater buildings are the Side Hall plan.

Raised Centerhall Cottage

There are a very small number of Center Hall cottages in Bywater.

Louisiana Plantation House

Dependencies

Commercial Buildings

Ecclesiastical Architecture

These pages are still under construction. Please check back for updates.

References:
1. "French Quarter Manual", Malcolm Heard, Tulane School of Architecture, 1997
2. "Recommendations for National Register Districts in Community Development Areas", Koch and Wilson/Urban, December 1979
3. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form for Bywater Historic District", Robert B. DeBlieux, State Historic Preservation Officer, 1985