Field research of the buildings of Ouachita Parish has revealed that
there are three distinct characteristic types of architecture. In the
western hilly region of the parish is the small farm type, and in the
eastern river delta region the rural plantation type prevailed. Both of
these have been previously described. The third category of architecture
is the urban type, found within the environs of Monroe and West Monroe.
Whereas the rural architecture, with the exception of the plantation
owner’s house, tended to be utilitarian and unconcerned with stylistic
trends, the urban architecture very often was reflective of the
currently popular national architectural styles. The styles most evident
in extant residences in Monroe and West Monroe include Greek Revival,
Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and California Bungalow.
Styles found in ecclesiastical, civic and commercial buildings include
Victorian Gothic and the Classic Revivals of the twentieth century.
Following is a sampling of the various folk and styled architecture
found within the city limits of Monroe and West Monroe.