James Freret facts for kids
James Freret (born 1838, died 1897) was a talented American architect. He designed many buildings, especially homes, in and around New Orleans, Louisiana.
About James Freret
James Freret was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family included his cousin, William Alfred Freret, who was also an architect. William A. Freret helped redesign the Old Louisiana State Capitol after the American Civil War. He also led the Office of the Supervising Architect in Washington, D.C..
James Freret started his architecture studies with George Purves in New Orleans. Later, in the early 1860s, he studied at the famous École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. He learned from a teacher named Charles-Auguste Questel.
He came back to the U.S. because of the Civil War. He joined the Confederate Army's engineering team. He was hurt during a battle called the Siege of Port Hudson. After the war, in 1865, he went back to New Orleans and started his own architecture business.
Notable Buildings by Freret
James Freret designed many important buildings. Here are some of his well-known projects:
- Moresque Building, New Orleans: He designed this building with his cousin, William A. Freret. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1897.
- Board of Trade building, New Orleans: This was another one of his designs in New Orleans.
- Lemann Store, Donaldsonville, Louisiana: This building is located at 314 Mississippi Street. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), meaning it's an important historical site.
- Administration Building of the Spring Hill College Quadrangle, Mobile, Alabama: This building is part of a college campus. It is also NRHP-listed.
- Upper Central Business District (Boundary Increase II), New Orleans: Freret designed one or more works in this area. It includes parts of O'Keefe, Poydras, and Howard Avenue. This area is also NRHP-listed.
- Bradish Johnson House, New Orleans: This grand house was built in 1872. It was designed for a rich sugar planter. The style shows the influence of the French Ecole des Beaux Arts, where Freret studied. Since 1929, this building has been the Louise S. McGehee School.
- Little Sisters of the Poor, Convent of St. Mary (1886), New Orleans: This convent is located at the corner of Prytania and Foucher Streets.
- Gothic Revival Masonic Hall (1867-1871), New Orleans: This building was designed for Tivoli Circle. However, it was never actually built.
- Jewish Widows and Orphans Home (1868), New Orleans: This home was another one of Freret's designs in New Orleans.
