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Nov 10, 1982
Mary Louise Kennedy Genella House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Genella House is locally significant in the area of architecture as an unusually interesting piece of builder architecture. It is a two-story, side hall plan, double house, not unlike many others which were speculatively built in New Orleans in the late-nineteenth century, though it is larger than most. What makes it special is the way in which manufactured brackets were used to create an arcaded facade on what would otherwise have been an ordinary galleried house. The brackets give the facade an almost Italian Gothic appearance, which has more richness than is normally expected of a pair of builders designed row houses. It is therefore a landmark in uptown New Orleans, an area which is largely characterized by repetitive and less distinguished builder architecture. Property History: The Genella House was dated by the applicant using conveyance and real estate assessment records. According to an act passed before a notary public on March 13, 1889, the land upon which the building stands was sold to Mary Louise Kennedy, wife of Charles Genella, for the sum of $1,705. According to assessment records, Mrs. Genella was assessed $1,500 in 1889, the year she acquired the property. The assessed value of the property rose in 1890 to $1,700. The record book for 1890-91 notes the value as $1,700, with a notation in pencil "not finished cost, about $4,500 for house." Such a reference is typical for this period and indicates new construction on the site. This supposition is confirmed in the records for 1892 when Mrs. Genella is noted as having a residence on the property, with the assessed value rising to $6,000. In addition, the Soars City Directory of 1892 lists Charles J. Genella at this location. As the directories and the assessor's books were prepared early in the year, one must assume that the present structure was constructed in 1891 and occupied by early 1892. Photo by Carlos de Salazar
Mary Louise Kennedy Genella House - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Genella House is locally significant in the area of architecture as an unusually interesting piece of builder architecture. It is a two-story, side hall plan, double house, not unlike many others which were speculatively built in New Orleans in the late-nineteenth century, though it is larger than most. What makes it special is the way in which manufactured brackets were used to create an arcaded facade on what would otherwise have been an ordinary galleried house. The brackets give the facade an almost Italian Gothic appearance, which has more richness than is normally expected of a pair of builders designed row houses. It is therefore a landmark in uptown New Orleans, an area which is largely characterized by repetitive and less distinguished builder architecture. Property History: The Genella House was dated by the applicant using conveyance and real estate assessment records. According to an act passed before a notary public on March 13, 1889, the land upon which the building stands was sold to Mary Louise Kennedy, wife of Charles Genella, for the sum of $1,705. According to assessment records, Mrs. Genella was assessed $1,500 in 1889, the year she acquired the property. The assessed value of the property rose in 1890 to $1,700. The record book for 1890-91 notes the value as $1,700, with a notation in pencil "not finished cost, about $4,500 for house." Such a reference is typical for this period and indicates new construction on the site. This supposition is confirmed in the records for 1892 when Mrs. Genella is noted as having a residence on the property, with the assessed value rising to $6,000. In addition, the Soars City Directory of 1892 lists Charles J. Genella at this location. As the directories and the assessor's books were prepared early in the year, one must assume that the present structure was constructed in 1891 and occupied by early 1892. Photo by Carlos de Salazar
Nov 10, 1982
Posted Date
Mar 23, 2022
Historical Record Date
Nov 10, 1982
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
