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SHREVEPORT'S
VICTORIAN ERA ARCHITECTURE
Text and Photos by Gerald Massey |
| Holy
Trinity Catholic Church |
| Marker Text:
"Established in 1856, Holy Trinity was moved to this site in 1858. Five of
its priests lost their lives treating the victoms of the Yellow Fever Epidemic
of 1873. The present church, in Romanesque Revival style, was built in 1896." |
In
my hobby of photography, I lean toward architectural subjects. My hometown of
Shreveport, Louisiana, has many architecture themes, not the least of which
is Victorian homes. Victorian was a Period, not a Style from about 1840 to 1900
with many styles. The term “Victorian” commonly refers to the period of
Queen Victoria of England’s long reign (1837–1901), an era whose architecture
was characterized by increasing elaboration and complexity made possible by advances
in industry. The era encompassed a number of architectural styles, including the
Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, Italianate, French Second Empire, Stick,
Shingle, and Gothic Revival. These are the styles that are most readily associated
with “Victorian” in the public consciousness. The most familiar is the Queen Anne
style whose cottages are better known as the “Ginger Bread Houses.”
There
are about 23 of these beautiful houses remaining in Shreveport. Many of them are
designated Louisiana Historic sites. They are located in only three areas
of old Shreveport: Austin Place, Fairfield Avenue and within the
Highland Historic District.
Included in my sampling are two examples
of Victorian eccesiastical architecture. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church
and the Antioch Baptist Church are both located near old downtown Shreveport
and both are of the handsome Richardsonian Romanesque style. The Marby House
is unique that it is now a restaurant. The Logan Mansion is open for tours
and has a documented history of being a “haunted house.” It is one not to miss.
The story behind the haunting and some of the activities is most interesting.
I have taken the tour and most definitely recommend it. It is located on Austin
Place, a short street that has several other historic houses and Victorian
houses on it. |
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Antioch
Baptist Church
1057 Texas Avenue |
Antioch
Baptist Church marker & neon sign
1057 Texas Avenue |
| Antioch Baptist Church
is the oldest Black church in Shreveport and dates from 1866. It sits on Texas
Avenue, which is also US Highway 80. This street in early and pioneer days was
known as the “Texas Road” as it was the route that followed the high ground from
the Red River west into Texas that transmigrating Southerners took into Texas.
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| Historic
Site Logan Mansion |
| Marker Text:
"Built 1897 by L. R. Logan, beer and ice manufecturer. Designed by architect
Nathaniel Sykes Allen. One of finest remaining Queen Anne Victorian houses in
city." |
| Historic
Site Mabry House |
| Marker Text:
"Built 1902 by William A. Mabry of Goldstein & Mabry Grocery Co. Mr.
Mabry was later an attorney in private practice, district attorney and district
court judge. Although later divided into apartments and then various uses, including
a law firm and the present Mabry Houst Restaurant, the house is extremely well
preserved with most original interior details still intact. |
| Historic
Site Lewis House |
| Marker Text:
"Built 1898. One of the few remaining large Victorian houses in Highland.
Named for early owner Thomas C. Lewis, a pioneer druggist. |
I have lived in Shreveport
all of my life, about 72-years now, and I never noticed or paid attention to these
handsome places. But, once I was introduced to them in the pursuit of my hobby,
I appreciate them, really appreciate them, not only in my hometown, but all the
other places where I have found them. - Gerald
Massey, 2009
Copyright
Gerald Massey
Related Topic:
Texas Victorian Architecture
See
Texas
Architecture | Texas Images
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