TeamSugar member RowD recently shared photos of two Steamboat Houses which she encountered during a post-Katrina trip to New Orleans. Since they're such fascinating houses, and historical landmarks at that, I figured I'd give you a bit of a background. The two remarkable houses in question, at 400 and 453 Egania St., were built between 1905 and 1913 by Milton P. Doullot, a steamboat captain, for his daughter and son. In 1977, the twin houses were designated historical landmarks by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission.

In the 100 years since they were built, the houses underwent some changes, due to hurricanes and normal aging, so they are no longer identical. The original house (400 Egania) was also originally closer to the river, but moved back when the levee was moved. Doullot's great grandson still owns the house, and the other was auctioned out of the family.

For details on these houses' unusual architectural influences, tune in over the weekend for the second half of the story.

400 Egania Street:

503 Egania Street: