Garden District, New Orleans
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| Garden District | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark District) | |
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| Location: | Bounded by Carondelet, Josephine, and Magazine Sts., and Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Built/Founded: | 1835 |
| Architect: | Multiple |
| Architectural style(s): | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late Victorian |
| Designated as NHL: | May 30, 1974[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | June 21, 1971[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 71000358 |
| Governing body: | Local |
The Garden District is a residential area of New Orleans, Louisiana developed between 1832 to 1900. Its borders are St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street and from Louisiana Avenue to Jackson Avenue. (Garden District, 2001) It may be one of the best preserved collection of historic southern mansions in the United States. The 19th century origins of the Garden District illustrate wealthy newcomers building opulent structures based upon the prosperity of New Orleans in that era. (National Trust, 2006)
This whole area was once a number of plantations. It was sold off in parcels to mainly wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter with the Creoles. The district was laid out by New Orleans architect, planner and surveyor Barthelemy Lafon.
Originally the area was developed with only a couple of houses per block, each surrounded by a large garden, giving the district its name. In the late 19th century some of these large lots were subdivided as Uptown New Orleans became more urban. This has produced a pattern for much of the neighborhood of any given block having a couple of early 19th century mansions surrounded by "gingerbread" decorated late Victorian houses. Thus the "Garden District" is known for its architecture more than gardens per se.
The district was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974.[1][3]
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[edit] Residents and landmarks
Well known inhabitants have included Archie Manning, Anne Rice, John Goodman and Trent Reznor.
The George Washington Cable House, at 1313 8th St., is a National Historic Landmark.
Commander's Palace is one of the city's most famous restaurants.
Other neighborhood landmarks include numerous antebellum mansions, historic Lafayette Cemetery, and "The Rink", a 19th century skating rink building that has been converted into a small shopping mall.
[edit] Hydrology and storms
The flooding potential in New Orleans has been noted since at least the 1820s. (Bernhard, 1828) Although experiencing wind damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this area on old high ground escaped the extensive flooding of much of the rest of the city (see: Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans). Although wind damage from Katrina was the most noticeable impact, the rate of return of residents is almost 100 percent. (National Trust, 2006) Part of the area nearest St. Charles Avenue was surveyed to be only four feet above mean sea level, compared to a Mississippi River height of 14 feet above sea level; (Hogan, 1990) nevertheless, the entire Garden District fared well with respect to Katrina flooding effects.
[edit] Education
The Garden District is zoned to schools in the New Orleans Public Schools.
In addition, several charter and private schools are available, such as Trinity School of New Orleans and The Louise S. McGehee School.
[edit] Selected photos
 Houses on Prytania Street |
 Antebellum mansion |
 Late 19th century residential architecture |
 Entrance to Buckner Mansion/former Soule College building |
[edit] Reference notes
- ^ a b Garden District. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ Paul Goeldner (January 17, 1974), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: The Garden District of New OrleansPDF (330 KiB), National Park Service and Accompanying 13 photos, exteriors, from 1973 and undated.PDF (2.17 MiB)
- Garden District of New Orleans, La. Map (2001)
- Starr, S. Frederick, Southern Comfort: The Garden District Of New Orleans, Princeton Architectural Press (2005)
- Hogan, C. Michael and Marc Papineau, Earth Metrics Incorporated, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the Pontchartrain Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, Report Number 10456, March 19, 1990
- Bernhard, Travels Through North America, During the Years 1825 and 1826, p 53, G. & C. Carvill, New York (1828)
- Staggs, Sam, When Blanche Met Brando: The Scandalous Story of "A Streetcar Named Desire", p 13, St Martins Press, New York, (2005)
- National Trust for Historic Preservation, An Update from the Preservation Resource Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, August 24, 2006
[edit] External links
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