Beautiful Crescent: A History of New Orleans (35 page)

A Short History of Hurricanes in
New Orleans

In 1718, Bienville selected the site for the city of New Orleans, “at that beautiful crescent in the river, a spot half-way between Natchez [Ft. Rosalie] and Mobile [Ft. St. Louis] where the river almost touches the lake at Bayou St. John, a spot safe from Hurricanes and Tidal Waves.”

1915
September 29.
A severe tropical hurricane causes serious damage to the city.

1947
September 16-19.
A hurricane kills hundreds in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida

1965
September 10.
Hurricane Betsy, a Category Three hurricane, hits New Orleans with severe damage to the city and flooding in low-lying areas.

1969
August 17.
Hurricane Camille, a Category Five hurricane, hits the Mississippi Gulf Coast near New Orleans.

2005
August 29.
Hurricane Katrina, a strong Category Three on landfall, wipes out the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans, and poorly built levees flood the city.

Statues and Monuments in New Orleans

Andrew Jackson.
1856. Figured on his horse. Hero of the Battle of New Orleans (1814). By Clark Mills, sculptor. At Jackson Square.

Battle of New Orleans.
One hundred feet high. At Chalmette National Park.

Benjamin Franklin.
1956. At Lafayette Square.

Bernardo de Galvez.
1977. Spanish governor of Louisiana. Gift from Spain to New Orleans commemorating our bicentennial. Spanish Plaza.

Bienville Monument.
Bienville, priest, and Indian. At 400 Decatur Street.

Bust of George Washington.
1960. Appears dressed as a Mason. Given to the city by the Freemasons. At the Civic Center.

Celtic Cross.
Commemorating the Irish who died of Yellow Fever (1832-33). At New Basin Canal Park, between West End Boulevard and Canal Boulevard.

Confederate Heroes.
1957. Features Colonel Dreux, first Confederate soldier from Louisiana to be killed in the Civil War (July 5, 1861); General Albert Pike; and Father A. J. Ryan, poet-chaplain of the South. At Jefferson Davis Parkway and Canal Street.

deLesseps S. Morrison.
1965. Past mayor of New Orleans. At the Civic Center.

Edward Douglas White.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Louisiana native. At the Supreme Court building.

General P. G. T. Beauregard.
Fired first shot at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, commencing the Civil War. At the City Park entrance at the end of Esplanade Avenue.

General Robert E. Lee.
1884. On top of 60-foot Doric column, stands 16
1
⁄
2
feet high. At Lee Circle.

Henry Clay.
American Statesman. Stood at Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue from 1806-1901. At Lafayette Square since 1901.

Jefferson Davis.
1911. President of the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis Parkway at Canal Street.

John McDonogh.
Benefactor of public school. At the Civic Center.

Krewe of Poydras.
1982. Twenty-foot welded steel structure by Ida Kohlmeyer. Painted in enamel. At 1515 Poydras Street.

Latin American Heroes.
Features Simon Bolivar, liberator of South America (gift from Venezuela, 1957); Benito Juarez, hero of Mexico (gift from Mexico, 1965); and General Francisco Morazon, Central American idol (gift from Honduras, 1966). At Basin Street.

Liberty Monument.
Granite shaft erected by Crescent White League to commemorate the battle against the carpetbag Metropolitan Police. At Woldenberg Park.

Louis Armstrong.
Father of New Orleans Jazz. At Armstrong Park at Rampart Street.

Margaret Gaffney Haughery.
1884. Benefactor of orphans. White marble statue engraved “Margaret.” At the intersection of Camp, Prytania, and Clio Streets.

Molly Marine.
1943. Monument inscribed “Free a Marine to Fight.” At Elk Place and Canal Street.

Monument to the Tile Makers.
1884. Honors Terracotta tile. Dedicated to historian Charles Gayarré. First shown at the Cotton Exposition. At the intersection of Bayou Road, Tonti Street, and Esplanade Aven
ue
.

Monument to Vietnamese and American Veterans of the Vietnam War.
1988. At the intersection of Basin Street and Iberville Street.

Mother Elizabeth Seton.
First Native American saint. At Tulane Avenue.

Ocean Song.
1989. Sixteen-foot kinetic steel sculpture by John Scott. At Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

Piazza d’Italia.
Italian Plaza. Reminder of the contributions of Italians to New Orleans. At the intersection of Poydras Street and Tchoupitoulas Street.

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil Rights leader. At Martin Luther King Boulevard and South Claiborne Avenue.

Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini.
First American Saint. At Harrison Avenue and Canal Boulevard.

Saint Joan of Arc.
Maid of Orleans. Gift of France to New Orleans. Originally at Rivergate, then at the foot of Canal Street when Rivergate was demolished. Now at Chartres Street.

Sophie B. Wright.
1988. Sculpture by Enrique Alferez. At Sophie B. Wright Place and Magazine Street.

Spanish-American War Veterans.
Honoring the Louisiana armed forces from 1898 to 1902. At Poydras Street and Loyola Avenue.

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall.
At the four corners of Jackson Square.

Vietnam War Memorial.
1987. At the Mercedez-Benz Superdome at Poydras Street.

Wading Pool Sculptures.
By Enrique Alferez. At City Park.

Winston Churchill.
At the Hilton Hotel.

Noted Personalities

Ambrose, Stephen (1936-2002).
Author and historian who spent decades researching and writing about the war, Eisenhower, and D-Day. Founder of the D-Day Museum, renamed the National World War II Museum in 2003.

Almonester y Roxas, Don Andrès (1725-98).
Spanish grandee who provided funds for rebuilding St. Louis Cathedral after the great fire of 1788 and who built the Cabildo. Father of Baroness de Pontalba.

Armstrong, Louis “Satchmo” (1900-71).
One of the most famous personalities in the history of jazz. To his credit are more than 1,500 recordings, several movies, and TV performances. Known as an unofficial Goodwill Ambassador for the United States.

Audubon, Jean-Jacques Fougère (John James) (1785-1851).
Ornithologist and artist whose
Birds of America and Ornithological Biography
are still highly regarded.

Barelli, I. T. (1800-58).
Planner of the tomb of the Italian Mutual Benefit Society in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. He and the builder were the first two to be buried therein. It was afterwards known as the “Hex Tomb.”

Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant (1818-93).
Creole Confederate general at whose command the first shot of the Civil War was fired at Fort Sumter, April 12, 1862.

Beluche, Renato (1780-1860).
Served as a privateer under Jean Lafitte and gunner alongside Dominique You on Battery Three during the Battle of New Orleans. Served as an admiral under Simon Bolivar in the Independence of Gran Colombia. Died in Puerto Cabello, Venezeula, and buried in Caracas in the Pantheon of Heroes of Venezuelan Independence.

Benjamin, Judah P. (1811-80).
Confederate Secretary of War and State,
who, after having been exiled, lived in England and gained international fame as a lawyer.

Boggs, Corrine C. “Lindy” (1916- ).
Congresswoman from Louisiana since 1973, after the disappearance of her husband, Congressman Hale Boggs, in a plane over Alaska in October 1973. A descendant of Louisiana’s first governor, William. C. C. Claiborne, she is one of New Orleans’s outstanding citizens and leaders.

Bolden, Charles “Buddy” (1877-1931).
One of the creators of New Orleans Jazz. Attributed with the creation of “Big Four” rhythm.

Cable, George Washington (1844-1925).
Gained international recognition as a novelist and short story writer though works based on Loui
siana. His uncomplimentary characterizations aroused the bitter animosity of Louisiana Creoles.

Calvé, Julie (1846-98).
French native and star of New Orleans French Opera production of
Les Huguenots
. Married Charles Boudousquié. Listed in 1882 City Directory as music teacher at Holy Angels.

Capote, Truman (1924-86).
Bestselling author. Wrote
In Cold Blood.
Recipient of many literary awards.

Carrollton, William (1788-1844).
General in the War of 1812. Had camp on the site of the McCarty Plantation.

Chase, John Churchill (1905-86).
Noted cartoonist, historian, and author. Designer of many logos. Well known for his book,
Frenchmen, Desire, Good
Children. . . .

Claiborne, William Charles Cole (1775-1817).
Led Louisiana through a hectic decade as its first American governor.

Clark, Daniel (1766-1813).
Irish-American merchant and landowner who assisted Thomas Jefferson in negotiations leading to the Louisiana Purchase and who later wounded Governor Claiborne in a duel brought about by charges of his implication in the Aaron Burr conspiracy.

Danna, Joseph Anthony, Dr. (1877-1954).
Graduated from Tulane Medical School in 1901 and was both intern and resident at Hotel Dieu (1908). Later became senior surgeon at Charity Hospital and Hotel Dieu. Left money to Loyola for Danna Student Center, dedicated in 1964. Knighted by the king of Italy. Appointed by the Pope to the Knights of St. Gregory.

de Boré, Jean-Étienne (1741-1820).
Gave impetus to sugar industry by granulating sugar on a commercial scale. First mayor of New Orleans.

de Galvez y Madrid, Bernardo de (1746-86).
Spanish Governor of Louisiana who distinguished himself by wresting East and West Florida from the British (1780-83). Later became Viceroy of Mexico.

Delgado, Isaac (1839-1912).
Philanthropist to whom New Orleans owes its
art museum and former boy’s trade school (current community college).

de Pauger, Adrien (1670-1726).
Designed the city of New Orleans (at that time, the Vieux Carré). Suggested the construction of jetties to deepen channel at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

de Rigaud, Pierre François, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, (1698-1778).
Referred to as the Grand Marquis. Governor of Louisiana from 1743 to 1753. Made New Orleans a center of culture and gaiety.

de Sedella, Antonio, “Père Antoine” (1730-1829).
Expelled from the colony of Louisiana for attempting to set up office of the Spanish Inquisition. He later returned as a loving pastor who endeared himself to the people.

Dibert, Eve Butterworth (1864-1938).
Philanthropist who made gifts to Dibert Tubercu
losis Hospital, residence of Sisters of Charity, and John Dibert School, among others, in memory of her husband.

Dix, Dorothy (Mrs. Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer) (1861-1951).
Crime reporter and columnist specializing in “advice to the lovelorn.” Supporter of women’s suffrage and working women.

Dixon, Dave (1923-2010).
Conceived and originated plan to build the Superdome. Organized the US Football League.

Deutsche, Hermann B. (1889-1970).
One of the deans of New Orleans journalism. Served on newspapers operated by the Times-Picayune Publishing Company for forty-seven years.

Dufour, Charles L. “Pie” (1903-96).
Newspaperman for forty years. Known for his column “A La Mode” in the
States-Item.
One of the unofficial historians of New Orleans. Author of
Ten Flags of the Wind.

Du Pratz, Antoine-Simon Le Page (1695-1775).
Born in Holland and came to Dauphin Island in 1718. His three-volume work,
Histoire de la Louisiane,
tells of plantation life on Bayou St. John and in Natchez.

Fitzmorris, James Edward “Jimmy” (1921- ).
Lt. Governor of Louisiana from 1972-80. Assistant for Economic Development to Governor Dave Treen.

Fortier, Alcée (1856-1951).
Teacher and historian noted for his Creole studies and historical works.

Francis, Norman C. (1931- ).
First layman and black man to be president of Xavier University, elected in 1968.

Gaines, Myra Clark (1805-85).
Principal and ultimate victor of a sensational fifty-year lawsuit against the city of New Orleans for the estate of her wealthy father, Daniel Clark.

Gallier, James, Jr. (1827-68).
Continued his father’s architectural work in New Arenas. Designer of the French Opera House.

Gallier, James, Sr. (1798-1866).
Architect who designed City Hall and many Garden District homes in New Orleans. Exponent of Greek Revival style of architecture.

Gandolfo, Henri A. (1897-1990).
Author of
Metairie Cemetery: An Historical Memoir.
Connected with Metairie Cemetery for sixty-five years, a student of memorial architecture, and a repository of history and lore on the statesmen and rogues buried there.

Gayarré, Charles Étienne (1805-95).
Dabbled in politics while writing several histories of Louisiana and two novels. Led Creoles in bitter controversy against George Washington Cable.

Gottschalk, Louis Moreau (1829-69).
Considered leading pianist-composer of his day; gave concerts throughout the world.
La Morte
and
Tremole Étude
are his best-known works.

Grau, Shirley Ann (Mrs. James Kern Fiebleman) (1929- ).
Author of
The Keepers of the House,
which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction
in 1965.

Hannan, Archbishop Philip Matthew (1913-2011).
Born in Washington, DC. Held administrative offices in many national organizations. Served in the United States Army Air Forces as Chaplain from 1942-46 and was known as the Parachute Priest. Presided over the funeral of President John F. Kennedy at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC. Archbishop of New Orleans from 1965-89.

Hellman, Lillian (1907-84).
Scenario writer, editor, and award-winning and bestselling author. Her outstanding works include
The Little Foxes
and
Watch on the Rhine,
among others. Political activist.

Herman, Peter Gulotta “Pete” (1896-1973).
Held the bantamweight title from 1917-20, regained it in 1921. Retired in 1922 with seventy-one career wins. He was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1960.

Higgins, Andrew (1886-1952).
Founded Higgins Industries, a company based in New Orleans. Manufactured the Higgins boat (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) for use in World War II, which allowed soldiers to land on open beach.

Huber, Leonard V. (1903-84).
Civic worker, collector, traveler, lecturer, and writer. Works include
New Orleans, A Pictorial History
and
Louisiana: A Pictorial History.

Jackson, Andrew (1765-1845).
Called the Savior of New Orleans during the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. A popular Louisiana hero.

Jackson, Mahalia (1911-72).
Queen of Gospel singers, Civil Rights spokeswoman, and recording star. Her name and legacy are honored today at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts in New Orleans.

Kane, Harnett T. (1910-84).
Reporter, bestselling author, lecturer, and historian. Author of
Louisiana Hayride.

Kenner, Duncan Farrar (1813-87).
Active supporter of Confederate cause. After the war, he was instrumental in ridding the state of carpetbaggers and scalawags.

Keyes, Frances Parkinson (Mrs. Henry Wilder Keyes) (1885-1970).
Author of numerous novels and short stories, many of which are set in New Orleans. World-traveler and owner and restorer of the Beauregard
House at 1113 Chartres Street, which was the birthplace of Paul Morphy
and the home of P. G. T. Beauregard after the Civil War.

King, Grace Elizabeth (1851-1932).
Student of Creole life and manners. Author of
New Orleans: the Place, the People
and
Creole Families of New Orleans,
which have enriched Louisiana literature. Student of Charles Gayarré.

Lafitte, Jean (1780-1825).
Famous smuggler and pirate who was pardoned because of his participation on behalf of the United States at the Battle of New Orleans.

Lafon, Thomy (1810-93).
Black philanthropist and businessman, whose donations to charities in New Orleans won him the distinction of having a public school named after him.

Laveau, Marie (1783-1881).
Mulattress and Voodoo Queen. Dealer in charms, remedies, and advice.

Le Moyne, Jean Baptiste, Sieur de Bienville (1680-1768).
French Canadian
explorer, three-time governor of Louisiana under French domination, founder of New Orleans, and promulgator in Louisiana of celebrated
Code Noir.

Livingston, Edward (1764-1836).
Represented both New York and Louisiana in Congress. Served as Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson and later as Minister to France.

Long, Huey Pierce (1893-1935).
Creator of the Share Our Wealth program. Assumed a prominent place in national affairs as US Senator and Presidential aspirant. He was assassinated at the height of his career.

Longstreet, James (1821-1904).
Brigadier General in the Confederate Army who, after the war, became a republican. A resident of New Orleans, he became unpopular with the people of his state for his role in politics of the Reconstruction period. He was appointed Minister to Turkey by President Ulysses S. Grant.

Maestri, Robert (1889-1974).
Mayor of New Orleans from 1936-46. Reorganized fiscal policies of the city and improved municipal facilities.

Matas, Rudolph, Dr. (1860-1957).
Pioneer in the field of vascular surgery and recipient of medical decorations from many European and Latin American counties. A giant of medicine.

Mayo, Sara T., Dr. (1869-1930).
Founded a hospital for women that bears her name.

McDonogh, John (1779-1850).
Wealthy merchant whose bequest formed the foundation for the New Orleans public school system.

McMain, Eleanor Laura (1868-1934).
Progressive reformer on social issues, including child labor legislation, and was a leader in the establishment of a School of Social Work through Newcomb College. A secondary school is named in her honor.