Louisiana is full of beautiful architecture, but have you ever seen it from the past? Seeing it through the eyes of photographers from the 1930s opened my eyes to this time in history. It is so interesting to see the homes and the ways that they vary, knowing that they are nearly 100 years younger in these pictures than they are now. What’s most amazing? The number of homes in these photographs that are probably still standing! Take a look for yourself.

1. A sharecropper’s house in Plaquemines Parish, LA
Photographer: Arthur Rothstein
Taken September 1935, I love the laundry on the line.
2. Balcony and veranda of old plantation house
Photographer: Russell Lee
Near New Orleans, LA, September 1938. Do you know which house this is?
3. Back kitchen, backyard of home in Norco, Louisiana
Photographer: Russell Lee
Taken in October 1938
4. A mansion on Rampart St. in New Orleans, December 1935
Photographer: Walker Evans
An example of New Orleans Classic Revival architecture
5. Victorian style New Orleans Mansion, January 1936
Photographer: Walker Evans
Known as the degenerate period of early twentieth-century New Orleans architecture.
6. Cast iron grillwork house near Lee Circle, New Orleans
Photographer: Walker Evans
Near St. Charles Ave., January 1936.

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7. Building above Norco, Louisiana, October 1938
Photographer: Russell Lee
The beautiful architecture isn’t just in New Orleans!
8. Ormond plantation, upriver from New Orleans, 1935
Photographer: Walker Evans
I bet that oak tree is much bigger now!
9. Country home in Point Coupee, Louisiana, October 1938
Photographer: Russell Lee
10. Another Garden District Mansion, New Orleans January 1936
Photographer: Walker Evans
Nineteenth-century Greek Revival home, 1749 Coliseum St.
11. A bar pilot’s house, Pilottown, Louisiana September 1938
Photographer: Russell Lee
Who knows what a bar pilot is?
12. The original house built on the "Yucca Plantation" by Augustin Metoyier in 1824, and later, after big house was built, it was used as a slave hospital.
Photographer: Marion Post Wolcott
In Melrose, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, June 1940

Weren’t those some interesting homes? Which one was your favorite? Also, can y’all help me out…What’s a bar pilot? Let us know in the comments below!

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