French Creole architecture is one of the most prominent building styles of the Old South. This stately form is recognizable on homes of all sizes, and immediately evokes the South’s vibrant past. Although it is called “French” Creole, the style draws from a mix of other cultures, including Spanish, African, and Native American.
The French Creole style is most easily distinguished by generous front porch galleries which usually span the length of the house, fronted by light wooden colonettes. What usually makes a French Creole porch stand out is the fact that the building’s roof extends all the way across the porch, instead of stopping at the edge of the house and then changing its angle slightly to cover the porch. Most French Creole homes are also built up to avoid seasonal river floodwaters and hurricanes – the main rooms in these homes are placed well above grade, while ground level rooms are used for a variety of non-essential purposes – for this reason, French Creole homes are also known as “tidewater” homes. A broad staircase connects upper floor galleries with the ground level, and acts an extension of the main...