What Is a Shotgun House?
A shotgun house is a narrow, single-story dwelling with rooms arranged in a straight line from front to back. Typically only one room wide—often around 12 feet—these homes sit on long, narrow urban lots and feature a distinctive linear floor plan with no interior hallway.
The shotgun house design became a practical solution for densely populated neighborhoods, especially in the American South during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its compact footprint allowed multiple homes to fit on tight lots while still providing adequate living space.
Key Identifying Features
Several characteristics make shotgun houses immediately recognizable. First, they’re exceptionally narrow, usually measuring between 10 and 15 feet in width. This allows them to occupy slim parcels of land efficiently.
Second, rooms connect directly to one another in a single-file arrangement, typically without a hallway. Doors between rooms often align, creating a clear sightline from the front entrance straight through to the back door.
Additionally, shotgun houses usually feature a front-facing gabled roof and a porch that spans the full width of the façade. Windows and doors are typically aligned to promote cross-ventilation, which was essential before air conditioning.
Typical Shotgun House Floor Plan
The classic shotgun house layout follows a predictable sequence. From front to back, you’ll typically find a front room or parlor, which serves as the main living space and entry point.
Moving deeper into the home, the next room is often a bedroom or second living area. Following that, another bedroom or multipurpose room occupies the middle section.
Finally, the kitchen sits at the rear of the house, usually with direct access to the back door and yard. In many cases, a small bathroom was added later—often tucked alongside the kitchen or in a rear addition, since many original shotgun houses predated indoor plumbing.
Common Types of Shotgun Houses
While the basic shotgun house follows a standard template, several variations emerged to meet different needs and preferences.
Double-Barrel Shotgun House (Double Shotgun)
A double-barrel shotgun house is essentially a duplex version of the traditional design. Two narrow units sit side by side, sharing a central dividing wall, with each unit maintaining the characteristic linear layout.
Each side typically has its own front door, and the layouts often mirror one another. This configuration allowed property owners to maximize rental income on a single lot while maintaining the efficient footprint of the shotgun house design.
Camelback Shotgun House
A camelback shotgun house adds a partial second story toward the rear of the structure. This addition sits above the back rooms—usually the kitchen and bathroom—while the front remains single-story.
The design preserves the modest street appearance of a traditional shotgun house while providing extra bedrooms or living space upstairs. This variation became popular as families needed more room but wanted to maintain the shotgun house aesthetic.
Where Shotgun Houses Are Found and How the Style Developed
Shotgun houses are most strongly associated with New Orleans, where they became an iconic feature of the urban landscape. However, they’re found throughout the American South, particularly in cities like Houston, Louisville, and Memphis.
The style likely developed through a combination of influences. West African and Haitian architectural traditions played a significant role, brought to Louisiana through the slave trade and later by Haitian immigrants in the early 19th century. These traditions emphasized narrow, linear structures suited to hot climates.
Furthermore, economic factors drove the shotgun house’s popularity. Narrow lots were cheaper to purchase, and property taxes were sometimes calculated based on street frontage. The linear design also promoted natural ventilation, making homes more comfortable in the hot, humid Southern climate without mechanical cooling.
The style flourished from the 1860s through the 1920s, when rapid urbanization and limited space made compact housing essential. As automobile suburbs expanded in the mid-20th century, shotgun house construction largely ceased.
Living in a Shotgun House Today (Pros, Cons, and Renovation Notes)
Today, shotgun houses attract homeowners who appreciate historic architecture and efficient use of space. Many appreciate the character of these homes, including original hardwood floors, high ceilings, and decorative millwork.
The narrow footprint can be surprisingly livable, and the linear layout often creates good natural light at both ends of the house. Additionally, shotgun houses are often located in established, walkable neighborhoods close to urban centers.
However, there are challenges to consider. Privacy can be limited since occupants must walk through one room to reach another. Middle rooms often lack windows, making them darker and poorly ventilated compared to the front and back.
Storage space is typically minimal, and the narrow width can make furniture arrangement difficult. Climate control can also be inefficient, as original designs relied on cross-ventilation rather than modern HVAC systems.
When renovating a shotgun house, many owners face restrictions if the home is located in a historic district. Common modernization strategies include adding a side or rear addition to create hallway access, installing bathrooms and modern kitchens, and improving insulation and climate control systems while preserving the exterior character.
FAQ
Why is it called a shotgun house?
Most commonly, it refers to the folklore that a “shotgun blast” could travel straight from the front door out the back because the rooms line up. Some sources also cite an alternative origin from the Yoruba term togun.
Where are shotgun houses most common?
They’re strongly associated with New Orleans and the broader American South, especially in older urban neighborhoods developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
What are the defining features of a shotgun house?
A very narrow footprint (often about 12 feet wide), rooms arranged in a straight line front-to-back, and typically no hallway—often with aligned doors/windows for airflow.
What is a double shotgun (double-barrel) house?
A duplex version of a shotgun house: two narrow units share a central wall, often with matching layouts and separate front doors.
What is a camelback shotgun house?
A shotgun house with a partial second story added toward the rear, preserving the single-story look from the street while adding extra space.
How is a shotgun house different from a railroad apartment?
Both can have rooms in a line, but “railroad” layouts are often associated with apartments and may include a hallway or different circulation; classic shotgun layouts typically connect rooms directly without a hall.
Are shotgun houses good to live in today?
They can be—many people value their character and efficient footprint. Common challenges include privacy, limited storage, and darker middle rooms; renovations may be constrained by historic-district rules.
