GARDEN DISTRICT, NEW ORLEANS

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. Even though people think the "Garden District" is known more for its architecture than for gardens, it really is known for both.
Well known inhabitants have included Anne Rice, John Goodman and Trent Reznor.

Contents

Hydrology and storms

Education

Reference notes

External links

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 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.

Education

The Garden District is zoned to schools in the New Orleans Public Schools.
For the 2006-2007 school year, parents have a choice between the following NOPS operated schools:

★ Benjamin Franklin Elementary School (K-8)

★ Bethune Elementary School (K-8)

★ McMain High School

★ McDonogh 35 High School
In addition, several charter and private schools are available, such as Trinity School of New Orleans and The Louise S. McGehee School.

Reference notes

★ 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

External links

★ Garden District Association

★ Garden District Security District