New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French colonists. During the first half of the 19th century, the city was among the wealthiest city due to its geographical location and port. At the dawn of 20th century, the economy was booming the city was industrializing. River steamboats were replaced with railroads and streetcars were electrified. Wood pump systems were installed that drained vast tracts of swamp and marshland and expand into low-lying areas. A new form of music called jazz began and emerged in clubs and dance halls.
The outbreak of Yellow Fever in 1905, followed by hurricanes disrupted the rapid growth. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 also affected the city with waters almost topping the levees while heavy rain still flooded parts of the city. In 1923 the Industrial Canal opened, providing a direct shipping link between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. During World War II, New Orleans was the site of the development and construction of Higgins boats which aided in the allied victory. After the War, the city was reshaped entirely with the development of New Orleans centre city suburbs.
These fascinating historic photos of old New Orleans from the 1900s will take you back.
Although it seems so long ago, this is very close to the New Orleans that my grandmother grew up in (and she’s still alive).
Anybody know why the Masonic Temple and Canal Terminal were torn down?
I can’t not get upset every time I see evidence of our deleted streetcar and passenger rail system. Unimaginable that people thought sitting in traffic, in your own automobile, was progress.
Street cars and passenger rail aren’t profitable. Having every single individual buy a car and all the maintenance and accessories and insurance associated with it is profitable. Thats why the street car systems and public rail is gone.
Clearly the most profitable enterprise back then was selling hats 🎩. I can’t find a single human without one in all those photos.
I was expecting the same old photos that get regurgitated on this sub every so often, nice to see some I haven’t seen before.
Notwithstanding the often brutal realities of life a century ago, the city looked gorgeous before the advent of cheap construction and soulless office towers. Ramshackle, but gorgeous.
The relentless “blanding” of our cities is visible everywhere in the US, of course. New Orleans did a better job than most at preserving its historic architecture.