The Greek Revival house pictured in figure 38 was built circa 1835 as
the residence of the overseer for Lower Pargoud Plantation. A companion
residence was constructed on the Upper Pargoud Plantation and exists at
the end of Island Drive in Monroe.
[Illustration: _Fig. 38. The Lower Pargoud Plantation overseer’s
house (Bldg. 143)._]
Layton Castle, figure 39, was begun before 1820 as the residence of
Judge Henry Bry. John James Audubon was a guest in the home during his
visits to the wilderness of North Louisiana. In 1910 the house was
renovated to resemble a European chateau.
[Illustration: _Fig. 39. Layton Castle, begun before 1820,
remodelled 1910 (Bldg. 144)._]
The 1882 Cox house depicted in figure 40 was approached through an oak
alley facing the road, which later became South Grand Street. In the
rear was a flower garden leading to the river.
[Illustration: _Fig. 40. The 1882 Cox House on South Grand, Monroe
(Bldg. 122)._]
These examples of 19th century houses were originally constructed in
rural farming areas which have subsequently been incorporated into the
city of Monroe.
“TURN OF THE CENTURY” QUEEN ANNE HOUSES
The popular circa 1890 through 1910 house style, Queen Anne, had
numerous identifying features. A steeply pitched roof of irregular shape
often had a dominant front facing gable. Patterned shingles, cutaway bay
windows and various other elements were used to avoid a smooth-walled
appearance. The facade was asymmetrical, and often it had a partial or
full width porch along a side wall as well as on the front.
Queen Anne dwellings were also noted for their decorative detailing.
Delicately turned porch columns and decorative spandrels with knob-like
beads were common. Spindle work was used on railings, at porch ceilings,
and under the roof overhangs at cutaway bays.
The house in figure 41 was constructed with forward gables, a partial
porch on the front and a cutaway bay. Decorative elements include the
ornamented gables and a spindlework frieze between the porch posts at
the ceiling.
[Illustration: _Fig. 41. Queen Anne detailing on a circa 1890 house.
(Bldg. 145)._]
Miss Julia Wossman’s house, figure 42, was moved from downtown to St.
John Drive in the 1950’s. Note the forward gables, turned porch columns,
the wrap-around porch, and spindlework at the cutaway front and side bay
windows. The porch also has spindlework, brackets and knob-like beads in
the frieze. Gables contain fish scale patterned shingles.
[Illustration: _Fig. 42. Miss Julia Wossman’s house, circa 1890
(Bldg. 146)._]
The houses described represent only a sampling of the full range of
extant Queen Anne houses in the urban area of the Twin Cities.