Parlange in Mix, Louisiana was built c.1754 and is an early example of French Colonial architecture in the United States.

French Colonial was one of four domestic architectural styles that developed during the colonial period in what would become the United States. The other styles were Colonial Georgian, Dutch Colonial, and Spanish Colonial. French Colonial developed in the settlements of the Illinois Country and French Louisiana. It is believed to have been primarily influenced by the building styles of French Canada and the Caribbean.^[1] It had its beginnings in 1699 with the establishment of French Louisiana but continued to be built after Spain assumed control of the colonial territory in 1763. Styles of building that evolved during the French colonial period include the Creole cottage, Creole townhouse, and French Creole plantation house.^[2]

[edit] Characteristics

Most buildings constructed during the French colonial period utilized a heavy timber frame of logs installed vertically on a sill (poteaux-sur-solle) or into the earth (poteaux-en-terre). An infill of lime mortar or clay mixed with small stones (pierrotage) or a mixture of mud, moss and animal hair (bousillage) was used to pack between the logs. Many times this infill would later be replaced with brick. This method of construction was used in the Illinois Country as well as Louisiana.

General characteristics of a French Colonial dwelling included a raised basement which would support the floor of the home's primary living quarters. Exterior stairs were another common element; the stairs would often climb up to a distinctive, full-length porch, on a home's front facade. The porch roof was normally part of the overall roof. French Colonial roofs were either steep hipped roofs with a dormer or dormers or a side-gabled roof. Porches were often accessed via French doors. French Colonial homes in the American South commonly had stuccoed exterior walls.^[3]

[edit] Examples of French Colonial architecture

Ursuline Convent in New Orleans, Louisiana, built c.1752. It is the oldest surviving building from the French colonial period in New Orleans. It is an example of stuccoed brick construction.	Gabriel Peyreaux House in New Orleans, built c.1780 It is an example of poteaux-sur-solle construction.	Lorriens Plantation in New Orleans, built c. 1784	Destrehan Plantation near Destrehan, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, built c.1787, portions were altered in 1840 to reflect the Greek Revival style.
Madame John's Legacy in New Orleans, built c.1788	Bequette-Ribault House in Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, built 1778. It is an example of poteaux-en-terre construction.	Maison Bolduc, in Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, built c.1785	Amoureaux House in Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, built c. 1792

[edit] References