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State Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums need your help.Places Earth recently encountered closed state parks in Arizona and California is threatening to close all state parks. The story is similar throughout the country. Places Earth urges everyone to support these vital and important public resources any way you can. Please find a worthy local or distant historic site or museum that is in financial danger and donate your treasure, time, and talent. Write to your governor and other elected officials telling them to find a way to keep these parks open. It will be your loss. Public Service Announcement |
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French Quarter
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2010 - 2010.|
While some may think that the French Quarter is New Orleans, it is actually only the historic
heart of the city. The French Quarter is not a static historic site but rather a community of
residents mixed in with commercial establishment, historic sites, and museums and it is the
oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. The Quarter, as locals call it,
occupies the same six by thirteen block area laid out in 1722 and it is the only intact French
Colonial and Spanish settlement remaining in the United States. The Mississippi River borders
the southeast side with Rampart Street on the northwest, with Canal Street and Esplanade
Avenue making the other boundaries. French Quarter architecture is actually a mix of Spanish
and French influences with a little Creole and American thrown in. Many of the buildings are
still painted in the pastel hues that were fashionable in the Spanish times and elaborate decorative
ironwork balconies and galleries grace the facades of many of the buildings from both the 18th
century and 19th centuries. At an elevation of 3 feet above sea level, it occupies some of the
highest ground in New Orleans and was spared most of the damage from Hurricane Katrina. History La Nouvelle Orléans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The city was centered on Vieux Carré (French for "Old Square"), what we now call the French Quarter. The district as a whole is a National Historic Landmark, containing numerous individual historic buildings within it boundaries. Most of the original French architecture was lost to two fires, the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 and another in 1794. At that time, Spain controlled the region and it was the Spanish who rebuilt the city in a new style and with adherence to strict fire codes. The new fire codes mandated that all structures be physically adjacent and close to the curb to create a firewall. Where the French built peaked roofs, the Spanish built flat tiled roofs, and stucco replaced wood siding. Most of the current buildings in the Quarter date back to this time, but some buildings from the late 19th century and early 20th century have been added. What is now Canal Street became a neutral meeting place between the Creole and the Anglos as the Anglos settled upriver after the Louisiana Purchase. The two cultures could interact in this "neutral ground" between. Baroness Pontalba built two fashionable row houses on either side of Jackson Square about 1850. These buildings included ornate metal grill work and other ornamentation. Soon cast iron balconies were added to many masonry buildings in the quarter. Today this excess of ornamentation is one of the factors making the French Quarter unique and popular with visitors. In the late 19th century, the Quarter became less fashionable as immigrants from southern Italy and Ireland began moving in. In the early part of the 20th century, a bohemian and artistic community developed. It wasn't until the early 1920s that the creole descendants of French and Spanish colonists began to drift away. In the early 1960, the planned Vieux Carré Riverfront Expressway brought attention to the need for preservation of the Quarter. On December 21, 1965, the "Vieux Carre Historic District" was designated a National Historic Landmark. Many long-term Quarter residents left in the 1980s, driven away by rising rents as property values rose in anticipation of the 1984 World's Fair nearby. This is when the Quarter turned to tourism as a reason to be with more emphasis on commercial development. The historic buildings have been protected by law since the 1920s. These buildings are protected from demolition, and renovations and new construction is regulated to preserve the historic fabric of the Quarter. Geography If the French Quarter is the center of the city, Jackson Square is the center of the French Quarter. Formerly named Place d'Armes, it was renamed after general Andrew Jackson following the Battle of New Orleans. In the center of the square is a statue of General Andrew Jackson who was instrumental in saving the city in the Battle of New Orleans. The block size square was originally designed by architect and landscaper Louis H. Pilié. The original view of the Mississippi River across Decatur Street was blocked by a larger levee in the 19th century. The square has long been a gathering place for artists, musicians, and entertainers. To the northwest of Jackson Square is St. Louis Cathedral the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States. The Cathedral was designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI. To the left of the Cathedral is The Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase and former City Hall, now Louisiana State Museum Cabildo with exhibits on Louisiana History. To the right of the Cathedral is The Presbytére which matches the Cabildo. Originally built as a residence for the priests, it served as courthouse early in the 19th century and it is now Louisiana State Museum Presbytere, dedicated to exhibits on Marti Gras and Festival. Opposite, between the Square and the river is Artillery Park -- formerly Founders Park. Between Artillery Park and the river is the Moon Walk. The Moonwalk, named for former Mayor Moon Landrieu, extends beside the Mississippi River in both directions. Upriver is Waldenberg Park, Canal Place, The Jackson Brewery Mall (once the largest independent brewery in the south), and New Orleans Riverwalk Marketplace. This is also the loading for a river boat cruise on the Natchez steam boat. On either side of the square are Baroness Pontalba's townhouses mentioned above. These four-story buildings contain shops and restaurants on the ground floor and the upper floors are apartments that are the oldest continuously rented apartments in the United States. One of the townhouse units has been preserved as Louisiana State Museums 1850 House. A little northeast of the square and parallel to the river is the French Market on Decatur Street. Once a farmer's market dating to 1791, the oldest in the country, it is now a mix of farmers market and flea market open 24-hours a day . On Decatur Street, near the entrance to the French Market, is an exact copy of the 1880 Emmanuel Fremiet equestrian statue of Joan of Arc which is located at Place des Pyramides, Paris. The bronze statue of the "Maid of Orleans" celebrates the French peasant girl who, guided by heavenly beings, led an army to break the siege of Orleans. This helped end The 100 Years' War and she became a national heroine of France, then was burned at the stake as a witch. This Joan of Arc statue was presented to the City of New Orleans as a gift from the people of France by President Charles de Gaulle during a state visit in 1959. Continuing northeast is the Old Mint, now a museum of contemporary art along with exhibits on minting coins. Bourbon Street (between the square and Rampart) is one of the great streets of America. Sometimes called a party street, it is lined with bars, jazz clubs, hotels, restaurants, gentlemen's clubs, and boutiques. The festivities sometimes spill out onto the street which is closed to vehicle traffic in the evening. Rue Bourbon, or Bourbon Street, is named after the former royal family of France. Other streets are lined with restaurants serving great Cajun food, such as Café Maspero and Gumbo Shop. Closer to Rampart Street and toward the two ends, the buildings tend to be less ornate but the narrow streets and more subtle ornamentation still hold the flavor of the Quarter. |
 Statue of Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square. |
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| Looking across Jackson Square toward Saint Louis Cathedral from Artillery Park. | |
Artillery Park
| The canon on display in Artillery Park is a model of one used in the Civil War. |
Bourbon Street
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Bourbon_Street is famous for Jazz and may be the number one party street in America. The most famous of the French Quarter Streets, Bourbon street is famous for its drinking establishments. New Orleans and its French Quarter are among the few places in the United States where possession and consumption of alcohol in open containers is allowed on the street. Most of the bars frequented by tourists are relatively new, but the Quarter also has a number of bars with long histories. One of the oldest buildings is Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Philip Street. The tavern's building was built sometime before 1772 and has been called the oldest continually occupied bar in the United States. |
 Bourbon Street at night. |
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| Cats Meow. | |
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| Looking southwest early Sunday morning. | |
 Sign Bourbon Street and Saint Peter Street. |
 Needs repair. |
 Bourbon Street |
Burgundy Street
| Burgundy Street is more residential and closer to Rampart Street. |
 Building early morning. |
 Corner of Burgundy Street and Saint Louis Street. |
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| More residential buildings along Burgundy Street. | |
Facades
| In southeast Louisiana, a distinction is made between "balconies" and "galleries". Balconies are self supporting structures that are attached to the side of the building. Galleries are supported from the ground by poles or columns. |
Chartres Street
 Chartres Street. |
 Corner of Saint Peter Street and Chartres Street, near Jackson Square. |
Dauphine Street
 Looking southwest along Dauphine Street. |
 Sign at Dauphine and Saint Ann. |
 Building with balconies. |
 Lamp post. |
Decatur Street
 Decatur Street Sign. |
 Balconies. |
 Buildings along Decatur Street. |
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| Buildings along Decatur Street. | |
 Decatur Street and Barracks Street. |
 Barracks Street. |
Dumaine Street
 This street was named Calle del Maine during Spanish times. These plaques throughout the Quarter remind us of the historic past. |
 Modern day street signs help us get around today. |
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| Balconies and galleries along Dumaine Street. | |
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| Balconies and hanging plants. | |
 Corner. |
 Voodoo Museum. |
 Shutter detail on Dumaine Street. |
 Door detail on Dumaine Street. |
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| Needs work. | |
 This street was named Calle del Maine in Spanish times. |
 Madame John's Legacy is part of Louisiana State Museum. It is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the best 18th century building complexes in Louisiana. It excaped the 1795 fire that destroyed most of the Quarter and was built on the ashes of the 1788 fire. Located at 632 Dumaine St., New Orleans, LA 70116 |
Orleans Street
 In Spanish days. |
 In modern days. |
Pirate Alley
 Pirates Alley . |
 Pirate Alley Caf&eacite; and Old Absenth House. |
Royal Street
 Beads are everywhere as part of the celebrations. |
Saint Ann Street
 Saint Ann Street sign. |
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| Colorful buildings along Saint Ann Street. | |
 Shutters. |
 Anti-climbing fence guard. |
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| Anti-climbing fence guards protecting the side yards. | |
 Balcony. |
 Balcony. |
 Gallery. |
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| Roof line in Saint Ann Street. | |
 Some of the balconies need a little help. If these posts were permanent, it would be a gallery. |
 Hitching post along St. Ann Street. |
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| Looking down Saint Ann Street. | |
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| Galleries along Saint Ann Street. | |
 Looking northwest along Saint Ann Street, toward Armstrong Park. |
 Balcony at the corner of St. Ann Street and Rampart. |
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| The northeast row house of the pair built for Baroness Pontalba about 1850. The use of ornate metal grill work and other ornamentation set a style that was soon copied throughout the Quarter. | |
Saint Louis Street
 Gallery on Saint Louis Street. |
 Street sign. |
Saint Peter Street
 Saint Peter Street sign. |
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| Metal grill work along Saint Peter Street. | |
 French Quarter Pralines. Pralines are another of the 'must have' foods when visitng Louisiana. |
 The southwest row house built for Baroness Pontalba. |
 Less ornate section of Saint Peter Street closer to Rampart Street. |
 Even the less ornate section has ornate iron work. |
 Door detail. |
 Anti-climbing gate guard and corbal detail. |
North Perets Street
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| The French Market is to the left. | |
French Market
 The market is hiding behind these trees. |
 Small statue with market beyond. |
 These canons face away from the Joan of Arc statue. |
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| Joan of Arc statue beside the French Market. | ||
 Jean-Paul Plaza. |
 Margaritaville is a popular stop, named after the song. |
Moon Walk
 Kansas City Southern train crossing the board walk between Armory Park and Moon Walk. |
 Mississippi River and ship. Moon Walk runs along the river. |
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| Mississippi River and ship. Moon Walk runs along the river. | |
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| Mississippi River and ships. | |
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| River tours on the steamboat Natchez. | |
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A man with a past arms reach empty-handed, God to a city of Love with water. Robert Schoen Artist 1991 (inscription) |
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| Freighter sailing upriver along the Mississippi. | |
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| Freighter sailing upriver along the Mississippi. | |
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| Trolly runs a short distance along the river, through the French Quarter. | |
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| Orleans Parish Main Page |
This page last updated: Sunday, 21-Feb-2010 20:17:03 CST
| Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice. |
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This web site started because of my love for Architecture and interest in History. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. My wife sells Gold Canyon products at www.valleygirlcandles.com and I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ... | ||
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This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2004 - 2010, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website. |
| This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com. |
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