Bywater is an urban area of approximately 120 squares (blocks) with a mixed residential and commercial character. It began in the early nineteenth century as a Creole, downriver, suburb of the original City of New Orleans. Settlers included Creoles, "free persons of color", Germans, Irish, and later on Italian immigrants. These settlers gave Bywater a distinctively Creole look that contrasts with the American settled areas of uptown. Most buildings are set directly on the street and are very close together similar to those in the Vieux Carre. Front yards and off street parking is the exception. Vistas within the district are fairly channeled because of the urban density and building height. Most of the buildings are single story, but are raised well above grade and have high cornice lines because of high ceilings.

The historical period of Bywater is defined as 1807 through 1935 with most houses dating from the mid-nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. Approximately 87% of all Bywater buildings date from this period.

The major house types in Bywater include Creole cottages, shotgun houses, camelback houses, side hall plan houses, and commercial buildings. Click on the illustrations to see more information about that type of house.

Camelback House
67 Bywater buildings are Camelback Houses, or 3%.

Creole Cottage
There are approximately 178 Creole Cottages in Bywater which is 8% of the building stock.

Side Hall Plan House
121, or 6% of Bywater buildings are the Side Hall plan.

Raised Centerhall Cottage
There are a very small number of Center Hall cottages in Bywater.

Shotgun House
There are about 1249 in Bywater which is 61% of the building stock.