Sally Asher - Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by Sally Asher

All rights reserved

Images courtesy of author unless otherwise noted.

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62584.509.2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Asher, Sally.

Hope and New Orleans : a history of Crescent City street names / Sally Asher.

pages cm -- (Landmarks)

Summary: Discover the history behind some of the most fascinating street names in New Orleans--Provided by publisher.

print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-053-5 (paperback)

1. Street names--Louisiana--New Orleans--History. 2. New Orleans (La.)--History. 3. Names, Geographical--Louisiana--New Orleans. 4. New Orleans (La.)--Guidebooks. I. Title.

F379.N575A22 2014

917.63350014--dc23

2014001899

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

New Orleans. March 21, 1876

DEAR ROUNDABOUT

Uncle Charles is so absurdhe will not pronounce the names of the streets correctlyto show you: For Melpomene. I sayMel-po-mean. He saysMel-pom-any.

For Calliope. I sayCal-e-ope. He saysCali-i-o-p.

For Coliseum. I sayCol-isee-eum. He saysCall-isee em.

For Terpsichore. I sayTerp-se-core. He saysTerp-sick-hooray.

For Penelope. I sayPen-e-lope. He saysP-nell o-p.

For Tchoupitoulas. I sayShop-e-too-la. He saysChop-i-too-lass.

Who is right? Please answer.

Lucy

Permit us to say, dear Lucy, that your uncle Charley is a very well informed person whose advice you may safely take in the matter of pronouncing classical street names.

New Orleans Times, March 26, 1876

CONTENTS

PREFACE

First off, my sincerest apologies if I did not include your favorite street. With more than two thousand streets in New Orleans, it was difficult to choose between them. Many streets deserve their own chapters, and some their own books, but I strove to strike a balance between well-known streets and those that might be less so, as well as give a glimpse into some of the stories and individuals for whom the streets are named.

My research, like some of the streets in this book, was sometimes complicated by misspellings and contradictory dates and data. I utilized the Citys Master Street List; the Alphabetical Index of Changes in Street Names, Old and New Period 1852 to Current Date, Dec. 1st 1938, compiled in 1938 by Gary B. Amos as a Works Progress Administrationsponsored project; city ordinances; and antique maps to discover and locate exact dates and names of streets. Unfortunately, these did not always match up with contemporary primary sources. I often found streets listed in advertisements or news articles years before they were officially streets, but I tried to be as consistent as possible and noted when there was a conflict between sources.

I am grateful for the New Orleans Architecture series compiled by the Friends of the Cabildo, which was indispensable. I am also appreciative of the invaluable scholarship of Richard Campanella, John Chase, Mary Louise Christovich, Charles Dufour, Leonard Huber, Bernard Lemann, Lawrence Powell, Betsy Swanson, S. Frederick Starr, Roulhac Toledano and Samuel Wilson.

One of my main resources was newspapersmany dating back almost two hundred years. The Times-Picayune, founded in 1837, underwent many changes, seeing different names, owners and mergers, but for claritys sake, I refer to it in my endnotes as simply the Times-Picayune. Often, city ordinances did not provide the why as to the naming of streets, but it could sometimes be found in newspapersoften with colorful commentary.

Second, you know the old saying it takes a village? Well, in my case, it took a city. Many people contributed to this book, and while I wish I could write a soliloquy for each one, please know that these few words represent boundless appreciation.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people for their generosity of spirit and depth and breadth of ability and assistancebe it historical or moral support.

Christen Thompson, my commissioning editor, for discovering me and for her unwavering support, patience, humor and good advice. Ryan Finn, my copyeditor, for all his hard work and assistance.

Zack Weaver, my boss, who treats me as an artist and as a professional. I am sincerely grateful.

Lee Miller, Sean Benjamin and Ann Case from Tulanes Louisiana Research Collection, who are always so helpful and patient with all of my requestsno matter how odd.

Barry Ahearneven after I left your class, you have always been available for counsel and a good ear-bending.

Joel Dinerstein, who first encouraged my foray into nonfiction and who takes great joy in New Orleans culture.

Richard Campanella, who is one of the most erudite individuals on New Orleans history and is always charitable with his knowledge. Richard not only gave me the idea to divide my book into themes, but he also contributed a special map. Youre the Bono Godfather!

Irene Wainwright from the New Orleans Public LibraryI cannot imagine a researcher in New Orleans who is not indebted to and appreciative of you.

Matt Farah and Jennifer Navarre from the Historic New Orleans Collections Williams Research Center, for being ever capable and helpful with maps and names.

David Johnson from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, for his support of my research and for his infectious love of New Orleans.

Greg Lambousy from the Louisiana State Museum, who took a leap of faith with me and continues to back me on various projects.

Ruth Laney from Country Roads, who first interviewed me about my research.

Susan Larson, Peggy LaBorde and Chris Wiltz, for being such amazing mentors and inspirations.

Shane and Lisa Thomas, for your friendship and encouragement.

Sherri Montz, who is always willing to help and always does more than just show up.

Steve Himelfarb from the New Orleans Cake Caf & Bakery, for supporting my career and for your fantastic culinary creations.

Veronica Russell, Andrew Ward and Trixie Minx, who have lent their amazing talents to many of my productions and continually keep me in awe. Yall always bring itin more ways than one.

The Big Easy Rollergirls and the Krewe of the Rollin Elvi.

Mom, thank you for your alternative views, creativity, unparalleled generosity, concern for others and phonetically creative e-mails. Dad, thank you for your wisdom and your lessons and for being one of my favorite storytellers. Thank you both for always encouraging my love of reading; I love you both so much.

Bill (who fortunately for me and unfortunately for him became a graphic designer), for fielding my innumerable random requests.

Wendy, who is beautiful inside and out.

To all my fantastic nieces and nephews: Erin, Marsa, Spencer, Alex, William, Josephine, Saquoiah, Ryleigh, Dravis, Swayze, Matea, Juliana, Jacob, Whitney, Rachel and Justin. I love you.

David and Anita Cain, for your support and love through good times and bad.

Jay and Judy Chase, for your unconditional love over the years.