When settling in South Florida in the late 1800s, the Bahamian immigrants brought with them many influences from their homeland including the shotgun-style of their residential houses. Simple yet sturdy structures, these houses usually had three specific elements: doors at both ends, a front porch, and are one room wide and three rooms deep (Placensia pg.9). They were often constructed on piers, had a front facing gabled roof over the porch, overhanging eaves, and horizontal weatherboard wood siding. There was a wide range of variations on the style. The typical shotgun house did not have hallways. Doors were aligned in the walls that connected each space, from the front to the back. The shotgun-style was desirable in warmer climates because if the front and back doors are open, a breeze could pass through the whole structure (Britannica.com). The shotgun-style houses were believed to have originated in West Africa, duplicated in the Caribbean, and then brought to the southern United States.   

 

There are two commonly referenced beliefs regarding the origin of the word shotgun. In the Coconut Grove Designation Report, Novoas states, “the name shotgun was given because of the typical alignment of the house’s doors; supposedly a bullet fired at the front door would pass straight through the house and out the back door.'' According to many historians, as well as Britannica.com, the other derivation of the name shotgun is related to the African word togun, which means “house” or “gathering place.” 

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As a pertinent architectural feature of shotgun-style houses, the front porch was found throughout West Coconut Grove and the Bahamas. The porch design was an inviting and accessible space, lending itself to gatherings which fostered human relationships and strengthened the community. The construction of some of the original Bahamian shotgun house porches highlighted here draws attention to the details of their wooden floors, decorative columns, ceilings and railings. Regardless of their level of decoration, the appeal of the front porch as a strong component of a close community is evident (Mouzon pg.126). 

 

As a pertinent architectural feature of shotgun-style houses, the front porch is found throughout the West Grove and the Bahamas. The porch design lends itself to gatherings which fosters human relationships resulting in a strong community. The porch design works because people in the community see the porch space as inviting and accessible. The West Grove houses were very close to one another on small lots with no setback from the street (Novoas pg.12). The construction of some of the original Bahamian shotgun houses highlighted here draws attention to the details of the porches' wooden floors, and decorative columns, ceiling and railings. Whatever their level of decoration, the appeal of the front porch as a strong component of a close community is undeniable (Mouzon pg.126).

Typically, these coastal shotgun-style homes were elevated two to three feet above the ground, on piers or columns, to resist damage due to flooding and heavy winds. Ideally, the piers or columns were made from concrete blocks, poured concrete, or wood, for strength and longevity (Mouzon pg. 128). Often, for aesthetic purposes, the openings between piers were covered with a lighter material, to conceal the space under the home (Mouzon pg. 130). The Coconut Grove houses, as well as those in the Bahamas, often had horizontal weatherboard siding for affordability and durability. In Coconut Grove, the siding was made from local pine trees, which were termite resistant, a problem prevalent in South Florida (Novoas pg.10). Another common feature of the shotgun-style house was the front-facing gabled roof. This roof was also made from local materials and was constructed from the junction of two sloped roofs which form the front triangular shape (Mouzon pg.162).