Patricia Preston is an
award-winning Southern author who writes historical and contemporary romance as
well as humorous Southern fiction. Learn more about Patricia and her books at
her website. Today Patricia stops by to share her love of the French Quarters
in New Orleans.
Exploring the French Quarters: The Creole Townhouse
One of the most unique
features of the French Quarters in New Orleans is the Creole townhouse. These
lovely homes, with lacy ironwork balconies and courtyards, have come to
symbolize the Quarters. On my trip to New Orleans in the fall, I was thrilled
to get to see them and even tour one.
The townhouses dominate the
narrow streets of the French Quarters. In the early 1800’s, the residents of
the French Quarters were of French and Spanish descent and were known as
Creoles. France had colonized Louisiana and founded New Orleans. Later, Spain
governed the city until it went back under French rule. Most of the lacy
ironwork comes from the Spanish period. The earlier French houses in the 1700’s
had wooden railings.
There are no front yards in
the Quarters. What you see facing the street is the rear of the house. The
front of the house faces a courtyard behind the house. The enclosed courtyards
were the center of social activity for the Creoles. To access the courtyard
from the street, houses had a carriageway, which was a brick tunnel that ran
the width of the house.
At the end of the carriageway, there was a covered staircase leading to the second and third floors. There were no staircases inside the house and no hallways. One room led to another room. The kitchen was in a building behind the townhouse, usually in a wing that joined the main house.
I am including some pictures
I took of townhouses while in the French Quarters. It is a great place to
visit. The food and music are always terrific! As you are reading this, I will
be (if nothing happens) en route to New Orleans. I am going on a weekend
research trip and I will be staying in the Bourbon Orleans hotel, which has a
great history as a former ballroom and a convent as well. It’s considered
haunted, too. Maybe Lois will have me back again and I can let y’all know if I
saw any ghosts!
I appreciate your comments, but
it may be a day or so before I can respond because I will be on the road, but I
will get back to you!
Almost an Outlaw
Rancher Austin Cade rides into Liberty looking for his old
comrades, the James-Younger gang. He needs their help tracking down the horse
thief who's stolen his prized mare. In town, the former gunfighter is reunited
with Darcy, the first girl he ever kissed—and never forgot.
Young widow Darcy Branson owns a shop full of fashionable ladies'
attire, but continues to wear mourning black so she won't forget her role in
her husband's death. Austin stirs a passion inside her that has long been
dormant, but can Darcy learn to believe in Austin—and love—enough to let go of
her tragic past?
Time is rapidly running out... As a cousin to Jesse James, Darcy
has attracted unwanted attention, thanks to her rumored association with the
gang. Soon Austin and Darcy are faced with confronting not only their growing
desire, but danger in the form of a deadly bounty hunter...
