Welcome to nolacottage.com, a blog following the renovation of an shotgun single cottage and other adventures of life in New Orleans.
What will you find on nolacottage.com? You will find progress on the cottage, renovation talk, cottage lifestyle and philosophy, and musings on adventures in New Orleans living, with a little general Louisiana information thrown in for lagniappe, as well as resources and history of all these topics.
Renovation is a labor of love. Renovation of an early 20th century shotgun cottage is a labor of love mixed with a special brand of insanity. It is a leap wrapped in hope and faith and vision.
The majority of shotguns in New Orleans were built in the 19th century, although they came to the area as early as the late 1700s. The one I am renovating is less common. As far as we can tell, it was built in the early 20th century. It is actually closer to the original shotgun house before the pretty Victorian details were added by Europeans. It does not have the gingerbread details, but is rather utilitarian and has a more country cottage, simplistic feel. This shotgun is also wider then the traditional shotgun, which is only 12-13 feet wide. this one is 15 feet wide by approx. 63 feet long, although the original building comes in at approximately 55 before the last room was added.
What is a Shotgun House?
According to the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center,
“a shotgun house typically has one room leading into the next without hallways. This style of house is particularly well suited for hot climates because one can open the front and back doors, and the breeze will flow through the entire house, and the porch provides shade for outdoor visiting.”
Scholars on the origins of the shotgun house believe that the house type may have first come to New Orleans as early as 1791-1803 by slave revolts from West Africa via Haiti. They continued to be built until the early 20th century, around the 1930s.
Contrary to folklore and much misinformation out there on numerous web sites, shotguns are not named such because you can fire a shotgun from one door through the house and out the back door. Like many terms used in New Orleans and South Louisiana, the term is considered most likely originated from an African word for house, “togon” or perhaps even ‘blessed’ house, “shogon”.
It is true that building and living in a shotgun could benefit citizens of New Orleans, and other cities, because taxes prior to vehicles, were often based on street frontage of a building, so having a 12 foot wide house was beneficial.
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/black-architecture-still-standing-shotgun-house
http://www.gnocdc.org/tertiary/shotgun.html
This blog outlines the architectural details of the shotgun really well.
Saving and Reviving the Shotgun House
With the many decaying shotgun homes after Hurricane Katrina up for demolition, and so many people coming into the city renovating homes with no regard for historical significance, the shotgun house and the unique architectural character of our area in general are definitely in peril. The character and details of these homes should be preserved whenever possible. When it isn’t possible, do to modern demands, at least the spirit should be maintained, not only to honor the unique style and history of these homes, but also to retain the unique quality and character.
Recently the shotgun as made a revival with people coming into town who are interested in renovating and saving this historic house. Groups such as the Preservation Resource Center http://www.prcno.org have worked to preserve and provide incentives for renovation.
Shotguns have some great inherent benefits, which I will share in posts to come.
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