George Washington Cable House, New Orleans

Nestled on the whimsical west side of the Garden District, this charming abode was built by George Washington Cable in 1874, during a time when Cable's star was rising to national prominence, thanks to the publication of his short story, "Sieur George". Technically, it's a two-story abode, even though it began its life as a single-story structure with a full-height basement and columns that include an arcade.

George W. Cable, the man of the hour, had quite the backstory himself. Born in New Orleans in 1844, he was the scion of a prosperous plantation owner. However, fortune's wheel took a nosedive after his father's passing, and he found himself in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. In an ironic twist of fate, a two-year tussle with malaria turned him into a wordsmith extraordinaire. You see, during those feverish days, Cable picked up writing as a hobby. Fast forward to 1870, and he joined the staff of the New Orleans Picayune.

The literary world soon witnessed Cable's talents blossom like a bayou flower. In 1873, he birthed his first story, and guess what? New Orleans' multicultural tapestry became a recurring theme in his narratives. But Cable was no ordinary scribe; he championed the cause of racial equality, much to the chagrin of many of his contemporaries. This made him the talk of the town, and not always in a good way.

Faced with a barrage of hostile vibes, Cable decided it was time to bid adieu to the South in 1885 and sought refuge in Massachusetts. He lived on for forty more years, but his legacy endures. Rumor has it that he was chums with none other than the illustrious Mark Twain, who allegedly graced this very house with his presence. Imagine the tales those walls could tell!