in Places & People

Fascinating Historical Photos Show New Orleans From Early 20th Century

4.3k Views 16 Comments

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.

#1 Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans circa 1905

Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans circa 1905

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

#3 Haunted House (Warrington House), Royal and Hospital Streets, New Orleans circa 1906

Haunted House (Warrington House), Royal and Hospital Streets, New Orleans circa 1906

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#4 Chess, Checkers and Whist Club, Canal and Baronne streets, New Orleans circa 1903

Chess, Checkers and Whist Club, Canal and Baronne streets, New Orleans circa 1903

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#8 New Hotel Denechaud, Poydras Street, Now it’s Le Pavillon. New Orleans1908

New Hotel Denechaud, Poydras Street, Now it’s Le Pavillon. New Orleans1908

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#9 The City from Algiers, At left, the centerwheeler ferry Thomas Pickles, New Orleans circa 1900

The City from Algiers, At left, the centerwheeler ferry Thomas Pickles, New Orleans circa 1900

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#10 Roller coaster and pier at West End, Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans circa 1901

Roller coaster and pier at West End, Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans circa 1901

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#11 The French Market, Decatur and Peters Streets, New Orleans circa 1900

The French Market, Decatur and Peters Streets, New Orleans circa 1900

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#12 Gayarre Place monument, Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans circa 1910

Gayarre Place monument, Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans circa 1910

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#16 Old Absinthe House and the bar, New Orleans circa 1906

Old Absinthe House and the bar, New Orleans circa 1906

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#17 Steamer loading grain from floating elevator, New Orleans waterfront circa 1906.

Steamer loading grain from floating elevator, New Orleans waterfront circa 1906.

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#19 Terminal Station, Canal Street,New Orleans circa 1910. Demolished in 1956

Terminal Station, Canal Street,New Orleans circa 1910. Demolished in 1956

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#21 Henry Clay Monument, Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1900

Henry Clay Monument, Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1900

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#22 General Lee monument, Tivoli Circle, St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans circa 1900

General Lee monument, Tivoli Circle, St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans circa 1900

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#23 Foot of Canal Street and Riverboat at the levee, New Orleans circa 1900

Foot of Canal Street and Riverboat at the levee, New Orleans circa 1900

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#24 Washington Artillery Hall, St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, 1910

Washington Artillery Hall, St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, 1910

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#25 City Hall, Lafayette Square, New Orleans circa 1910

City Hall, Lafayette Square, New Orleans circa 1910

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#27 Mardi Gras, New Orleans, The Mississippi River circa 1900

Mardi Gras, New Orleans, The Mississippi River circa 1900

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#30 Mardi Gras procession on Canal Street, New Orleans, 1900

Mardi Gras procession on Canal Street, New Orleans, 1900

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#31 New Orleans and the Mississippi River from Grunewald, 1910

New Orleans and the Mississippi River from Grunewald, 1910

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#35 Smallest news & post card stand in New Orleans, 103 Royal Street

Smallest news & post card stand in New Orleans, 103 Royal Street

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#36 Italian headquarters, Madison Street, New Orleans circa 1906

Italian headquarters, Madison Street, New Orleans circa 1906

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#39 St. Charles Hotel, St. Charles Street, New Orleans, 1900

St. Charles Hotel, St. Charles Street, New Orleans, 1900

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#40 Loading steamer Chalmette during high water, March 23, 1903, New Orleans

Loading steamer Chalmette during high water, March 23, 1903, New Orleans

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#41 Maison Blanche, Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1910

Maison Blanche, Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1910

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#42 Cotton on the Mississippi River levee, New Orleans circa 1903

Cotton on the Mississippi River levee, New Orleans circa 1903

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#45 Southern Pacific R.R. transfer boat Carrier at New Orleans, 1910

Southern Pacific R.R. transfer boat Carrier at New Orleans, 1910

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#46 Old Absinthe House and Bourbon Street, New Orleans circa 1903

Old Absinthe House and Bourbon Street, New Orleans circa 1903

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#47 Visiting the torpedo boats, The Porter and the Dupont, New Orleans circa 1906

Visiting the torpedo boats, The Porter and the Dupont, New Orleans circa 1906

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#48 S.S. Proteus and High water at New Orleans levee, 1903

S.S. Proteus and High water at New Orleans levee, 1903

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#52 Oyster luggers at New Orleans, along the Mississippi, 1906

Oyster luggers at New Orleans, along the Mississippi, 1906

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#53 New Orleans and Mississippi River from Hotel Grunewald, 1910

New Orleans and Mississippi River from Hotel Grunewald, 1910

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#54 Oyster and charcoal luggers in the old basin, New Orleans circa 1908

Oyster and charcoal luggers in the old basin, New Orleans circa 1908

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#56 St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1910

St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1910

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#57 The French Market, New Orleans, The Crescent City circa 1906

The French Market, New Orleans, The Crescent City circa 1906

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#60 Mule teams on the levee, New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1903

Mule teams on the levee, New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1903

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#61 Royal Street from Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1906

Royal Street from Canal Street, New Orleans circa 1906

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#62 Old French courtyard on Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1906

Old French courtyard on Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1906

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#64 Napoleon House, Chartres Street, New Orleans circa 1905

Napoleon House, Chartres Street, New Orleans circa 1905

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#68 Stuyvesant elevators, docks, R.R. terminal at New Orleans, 1900

Stuyvesant elevators, docks, R.R. terminal at New Orleans, 1900

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#74 Maison Blanche, Canal Street, New Orleans in 1910

Maison Blanche, Canal Street, New Orleans in 1910

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#75 Charcoal lugger in the Old Basin, New Orleans circa 1906

Charcoal lugger in the Old Basin, New Orleans circa 1906

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#77 A close-up of the H.A. Testard Bicycles & Automobiles storefront from the previous post, New Orleans circa 1910

A close-up of the H.A. Testard Bicycles & Automobiles storefront from the previous post, New Orleans circa 1910

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

#78 A New Orleans milk cart with a one-horsepower motor, 1903

A New Orleans milk cart with a one-horsepower motor, 1903

0 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

16 Comments

Load more comments