It has been previously illustrated that the urban residential,
ecclesiastical and educational buildings were constructed to reflect
current stylistic trends more than their rural counterparts; a similar
observation might be made about commercial urban and rural buildings.
The urban commercial buildings depicted on these two pages represent
some of the stylistic expressions of the Twin Cities from the time of
early settlement, the 1840’s, to the period of the oil boom, the 1930’s.
As such, they might be viewed as a summary of commercial architecture in
the Twin Cities.
The Isaiah Garrett law office, figure 65, was constructed in the 1840’s.
Its configuration is similar to that of the small residence of the
period, a two room core with rear wing, chimneys on end elevations, and
an attached front gallery. This building is now the Colonial Dames
Museum.
[Illustration: _Fig. 65. Isaiah Garrett law office, 1840’s (Bldg.
163)._]
The two story commercial building shown in figure 66 was built in the
1890’s on North Grand Street. It contains large glass areas for display
and interior light, and the second floor contains arched windows on the
street facade but flat lintel windows overlooking the river.
[Illustration: _Fig. 66. 1890’s commercial building on North Grand,
Monroe (Bldg. 164)._]
T. M. Parker built a two story commercial building on DeSiard Street in
1908, figure 67. This building was used as a hotel for a long period.
There is a similarity in the manner in which the roof lines of the
buildings in figures 67 and 68 were constructed, since both parapets
have shaped and raised center sections and projecting cornices.
[Illustration: _Fig. 67. The T. M. Parker Building on DeSiard Street
(Bldg. 165)._]
The West Monroe 1909 two story building depicted in figure 68 was built
with similar characteristics as those previously described, a large
glass area on ground floors and a masonry upper facade. But this
building contains other individualistic features. The second floor opens
onto a balcony which overlooks the Ouachita River, and a very elaborate
cast stone lady’s head is incorporated into the pilaster on the left
side of the front elevation. A companion sculpture on the right pilaster
no longer exists. One might wonder if it were a male or female likeness.
[Illustration: _Fig. 68. A West Monroe commercial building, 1909
(Bldg. 166)._]
Civic architecture is represented by the 1925 Ouachita Parish
Courthouse, figure 69. Neoclassicism was used to represent monumentality
through the application of engaged Ionic columns on the major facades.
Broad entry terraces and steps heightened the drama of entry into the
main floor. The roofline contains a balustrade as an expression of
uniting the building with the skyline.
[Illustration: _Fig. 69. The neoclassical Ouachita Parish Courthouse
1925 (Bldg. 167)._]
The Frances Hotel, figure 70, was constructed in 1930 and named for Mrs.
Frances McHenry, wife of a founder of Delta Airlines. Its Art Deco style
has a pronounced verticality and linear quality. This early Monroe
skyscraper has elaborate window and facade treatment on the first three
floors with minimal facade decoration on the hotel room floors above.
The building is crowned with elaboration on the facades of the top
floor. This floor once contained a ballroom which overlooked the city
and the river. Arched windows with elaborate projections above broke the
skyline. And above the roof was an enormous red beacon which was visible
for miles at night. The beacon no longer is lighted.
[Illustration: _Fig. 70. Frances Hotel, Monroe, a 1930 Art Deco
building (Bldg. 168)._]
The buildings pictured on these and the four preceding pages are
examples of the manner in which the designers attempted to create
aesthetically pleasing architecture for both the distant and the near-by
viewer. Several have interesting rooflines which integrate the built
environment with the skyline. They also contain elements which may be
viewed from a closer position as a person enters the building; such
elements include steps, entry details, and intricate window trim.