New Orleans, Louisiana, conjures up visions of romance, mystery, tragedy, and a culture that is unique to the city. New Orleans was originally named Nouvelle-Orléans in honor of His Highness, the Prince Regent of France, Louis Philippe, duc d’Orléans. The Vieux Carré, which literally means “Old Square,” is where the city initially planted its roots. According to the author, “The purpose of this book is to present as accurate and as true a record of places and traditions in the Vieux Carré as has been possible to compile from painstaking research, and is designed for whoever may be as interested in the origin of facts as in the facts themselves.” After a brief history of New Orleans and its colorful Mardi Gras tradition, readers are treated to a very detailed journey through the streets of the city: Royal Street, the Esplanade, Charles Street, Bourbon Street, and Dauphine Street. This guided tour includes a brief historical sketch of each building encountered along the way. Special attention is given to Jackson Square, Saint Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytére, and the Pontalba buildings. A wealth of illustrations by a variety of artists, several vintage photographs, and maps breathe life into the narrative. This intriguing portrait of New Orleans was “compiled chiefly from ancient notarial acts, in every case the history of each old home has been searched through these conveyance records to establish original ownership and the year of actual building.” The book concludes with a brief index to names, places, and subjects.
Stanley Arthur
(1936), 2007, 5½x8½, paper, index, 264 pp.
ISBN: 9780788427220
101-A2722
