There Are No Houses In The World Like These Two In Louisiana

As you follow the Mississippi River towards the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans---past the French Quarter, past the Marigny and even past the Bywater and on into the Holy Cross neighborhood---you’ll come across two twin houses that will simply take your breath away.

Known as the steamboat houses, they were built in the early 20th-century by the Doullut family. Riverboat pilot Captain Milton P. Doullut built the first in 1905, and then built the second for his son in 1913.

The inspiration for the architecture came from two places. One, the steamboats that Captain Doullut saw as he traveled down the Mississippi River, and second by the Japanese exhibit at the 1904 World’s Fair which featured the pagoda-style roofing that is featured on the homes.

In 1977, both homes received National historic landmark designation. And if you’re curious how two homes on the wrong side of the industrial canal survived Katrina—the answer is just fine! They were both specially built to withstand flooding, as the entire ground floor of both homes is covered from top to bottom in coated ceramic tile. When water comes in, the ground floor merely needs to be hosed down and then it is completely fine!

Don't forget to make a visit to these homes next time you're in New Orleans!