The Many Fences of Ste. Genevieve

NORTH MAIN STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

One of the things that got my attention the first time we visited Ste. Genevieve  and saw the historic homes and buildings were the wrought iron gates and fences, for it brought back so many great memories of another time and city. Here I have a confession to make. In my younger years, I fell in love with New Orleans and went down quite often, especially on weekends. I could leave work early and be on Bourbon Street that night. Although I enjoyed the night life, the things that made me go back over and over again were the food and the architecture, the wrought ironwork in particular and the distinctive look it gives to the French Quarter.

NEW ORLEANS, LA

NEW ORLEANS--Oak and Acorn Pattern

CORNSTALK FENCE AT THE CORNSTALK HOTEL-NEW ORLEANS--My favorite place to stay

I didn't know until recently that much of the New Orleans ironwork we see today is from Spanish influence. Because I was in the FRENCH Quarter, I always assumed it was French--and the French did influence the use of some wrought iron before the Great Fire of 1788 which consumed all major buildings of the city (now the French Quarter). The Spanish had possession of Louisiana Territory at the time. As a result of the fire, Governor Miro declared that colonial officials were to replace the wooden buildings with masonary structures which had courtyards, thick brick walls, arcades, and wrought iron balconies. Decorative ironwork, derived from Spanish architecture, mimicked another famous Spanish product: lace, and offered an ornate visual contrast to otherwise sober, handsome fronts. The more ornate work is often floral or leafy, adorned with French fleur-de-lis and coquilles, or shells.

NORTH MAIN STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

Another interesting piece of history is that although undoubtedly inspired by the aesthetic of the French and Spanish colonizers of the 17th and 18th century, historian Marcus Christian traced most of the city’s early ironwork back to the enslaved people from West Africa, when men first apprenticed under French blacksmiths in the early 18th century, then under Spaniards and Americans as the colony changed hands. Some were even able to buy their freedom, according to Christian, continuing the trade as free men.

So you can see why I got so excited when I discovered a town carrying on the same French and Spanish influenced ironwork. Of course, much of New Orleans history is entwined here since both were under the French then Spanish flags and New Orleans was the site of the government.

A lot of the ironwork in New Orleans today was added during the Victorian era. That may be true of Ste. Genevieve also, but even so, its roots of France and Spain are displayed all over town.

In the early French colonial days of Ste. Genevieve, most fences were simpler. The house and grounds were surrounded by stockade fences, not necessarily to keep people and wild animals out, but to keep their stock in. Each home was like a small settlement of outhouses and barns, chickens and cows, vegetable and flower gardens.

THE BOLDUC STOCKADE FENCE- NORTH MAIN STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

Of course it was probably the Americans settling here in the late 18th century who greatly influenced the use of wooden fences. Many came from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. If you have ever traveled those states and visited historic sites, most all will have wooden fences of some sort. Many of the fancy picket fences in Ste. Genevieve came from the Victorian era but the American influence was here long before. 

JEFFERSON STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

There are some charming ones. . .

SECOND STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

SOUTH MAIN STREET--STE. GENEVIEVE

With this little bit of fence history, I'll let you scroll through these images and enjoy a mini tour. . .These are no means all of the fences but a good representation of the many throughout town.

SECOND STREET

THIRD STREET

THIRD STREET

THIRD STREET

MERCHANT STREET

THE WINERY, MERCHANT STREET

MARKET STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

NORTH MAIN STREET

SOUTH MAIN STREET

SOUTH MAIN STREET

SOUTH MAIN STREET