Each month WWNO talks to Tulane School of Architecture Professor of Geography Richard Campanella abouthis "Cityscapes" column for Nola.com | The Times-Picayune. He's been chronologically exploring the architectural styles that have swept the city. In the early 1900s New Orleans - like much of the nation - turned its eye toward California.
Many people moved to the Golden State or visited for the first time, and combined with influences of the Auto Age and Hollywood, it made for some California dreams back home.
Two styles were major imports from California. First, the bungalow home. A style made popular by architects Greene and Greene, it featured a low-slung looks with lots of windows and doors, and natural wood and stone, a departure from the more "fussy" Victorian looks.
Its influences came from Japan and notably India, the word bungalow being derived from "Bengali." This adaptable, car-friendly style popped up in newly built residential areas of the city, like Broadmoor and Gentilly Terrace, which earned the nickname "Little California."
Then, as California looked to define itself as unique from the East Coast, it turned toward celebrating its own Spanish heritage, specifically the Franciscan missions. Spanish Revival styles, with tiled roofs, whitewashed stucco walls, round arches, courtyards, and heavy iron work began to pop up around the city.
The influence was largely seen in individual businesses, like the Circle Foods store on North Claiborne Avenue. Palm Terrace, just off St. Charles Avenue, however, is an entire residential streetscape built in Spanish Revival style.