Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April of 2017 and has been updated with the most recent information.
The shotgun home is as synonymous to New Orleans as Mardi Gras is to the city. What makes the shotgun is not the architectural structure, but its unique use of space. Its very narrow facade—almost always no more than 12 feet for a single—gives the illusion of smallness despite its depth, which can be 100 feet or more.
Richard Campanella, a geographer and senior professor at Tulane School of Architecture, theorizes the design style was not only cost effective, but inspired by sociable residents who enjoyed the passing by of company throughout the rooms of the home. He suggests that the style likely developed from the mixture of West African, Haitian, and Southern United States culture.
As with the development and constant evolution of any city, the shotgun design evolved. Some shotguns have historic creole roots that are centered around efficiency. Others are space oriented with the addition of camel back stories, elaborate front porches, and side halls.
To pay homage to this distinct and celebrated architectural style, here is a curated collection of the best single and double shotgun homes for sale in New Orleans.
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