The Chattel Houses of Barbados
A remnant of the past still exists on the island of Barbados
The Chattel House was designed by the early African plantation workers, and best be described as the first mobile home.
Since the workers did not own land, and disputes between land owners often occurred, the chattel houses were built on cement blocks, and could easily be dismantled and moved from one plantation to another.
Chattel houses were ideal for the plantation workers because there was no mortgage.
The design of the house offered workers the opportunity to add on to the house as their income improved.
The roofs are steep and made of corrugated iron.
The wood to build the houses was imported from the United States and pre-cut in length.
This is why most of the Chattel Houses have exactly the same dimensions, and are perfectly symmetrical.
Many of the Chattel Houses of today are used as craft shops.
A perfect example of this can be sent at the Chattel House Village in the St Lawrence Gap, and in the Holetown shopping area on the West coast.
Some of the houses are still on blocks, but many are on permanent foundations, with additional rooms being built onto the original structure.
Many current day Bajans still occupy Chattel Houses, and have added on to the houses over the years making comfortable little bungalows.