Architectural Styles
129 Railroad AvenueMore than any other city on the Gulf Coast, Bay Saint Louis was influenced by New Orleans houses in design, materials and use because the majority of citizens were summer residents from New Orleans. They built most of the familiar styles of houses found in New Orleans: shotguns, Greek revival, Queen Anne, bungalows and Creole cottages.
Hancock County also had the largest sawmill in the world until June 1930 when it closed because all the lumber accessible to the mill had been harvested. Subsequently, all but two early homes in the city were built of heart pine, most had clapboard siding, porches, overhangs, and were raised on piers. Traditionally they were painted white and were trimmed in dark green or black.
534 Main StreetA few mission architecture houses were built in the 1930s and 1940s which were painted pastel colors, usually so light that the variants of color and style never caught the viewer's attention, but rather left a harmonious impression of the row of beachfront mansions. Beachfront houses traditionally had broad front porches and tall windows, both designed to take advantage of the evening breezes not available in New Orleans.
For a description and some examples of the styles that are prevalent in this area, click on the links below.