Garden District, New Orleans
Encyclopedia
The Garden District is a neighborhood
of the city of New Orleans
. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St. Charles Avenue
to the north, 1st Street to the east, Magazine Street
to the south and Toledano Street to the west. The National Historic Landmark
district extends a little further. The area was originally developed between 1832 to 1900. It may be one of the best preserved collection of historic southern mansion
s 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)
, the district has a total area of 0.21 square mile (0.5438975031 km²). 0.21 square mile (0.5438975031 km²) of which is land and 0 square mile (0 km²) (0.0%) of which is water.
and Toledano Street.
The Garden District Association defines the boundaries as both sides of Carondelet Street, Josephine Street, both sides of Louisiana Avenue, and Magazine Street.
of 2000, there were 1,970 people, 1,117 households, and 446 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
was 9,381 /mi² (3,940 /km²).
s, including the Livaudais Plantation. It was sold off in parcels to mainly wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter
with the Creole
s. It became a part of the city of Lafayette in 1833, and was annexed by New Orleans in 1852. 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. Thus the "Garden District" is now known for its architecture
more than gardens per se.
A slightly larger district (one block further west to Louisiana, one block farther north to Carondelet and three blocks farther east to Josephine) was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1974.
, at 1313 8th St., is a National Historic Landmark
.
Commander's Palace
is one of the city's most famous restaurants.
Other neighborhood landmarks include the historic Anshe Sfard
synagogue, numerous antebellum mansions, historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, and "The Rink", a 19th century skating rink building that has been converted into a small shopping mall.
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 St. Charles Avenue was surveyed to be only four feet above mean sea level, compared to a Mississippi River
height of 14 feet (4.3 m) above sea level; (Hogan, 1990) nevertheless, the entire Garden District fared well with respect to Katrina flooding effects.
.
provides public transportation. The streetcar is easily accessible from St. Charles Avenue. Streetcar fare is $1.25.
. Public elementary schools in the vicinity include Mary MacLeod Bethune Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Laurel Elementary School. Public high schools in the vicinity include McMain High School and McDonogh 35 High School.
The McGehee School
, a private school, is within the boundaries of the Garden District Association. In addition the Trinity School of New Orleans is in the area.
New Orleans neighborhoods
In 1980 the New Orleans City Planning Commission divided the city into 13 planning districts and 72 distinct neighborhoods.While most of these assigned boundaries match with traditional local designations, some others differ from common traditional use...
of the city of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St. Charles Avenue
St. Charles Avenue
St. Charles Avenue is a thoroughfare in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. and the home of the St. Charles Streetcar Line. It is also famous for the hundreds of mansions that adorn the tree-lined boulevard for much of the Uptown section of the route. The southern live oak trees, particularly found in...
to the north, 1st Street to the east, Magazine Street
Magazine Street
Magazine Street is a major thoroughfare in New Orleans, Louisiana. Like Tchoupitoulas Street, St. Charles Avenue, and Claiborne Avenue, it reflects the curving course of the Mississippi River...
to the south and Toledano Street to the west. The National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
district extends a little further. The area was originally developed between 1832 to 1900. It may be one of the best preserved collection of historic southern mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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)
Geography
The Garden District is located at 29°55′40"N 90°05′05"W and has an elevation of 3 foot (0.9144 m). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the district has a total area of 0.21 square mile (0.5438975031 km²). 0.21 square mile (0.5438975031 km²) of which is land and 0 square mile (0 km²) (0.0%) of which is water.
Adjacent Neighborhoods
- Central CityCentral City, New OrleansCentral City is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. It is located at the lower end of Uptown, just above the New Orleans Central Business District, on the "lakeside" of St. Charles Avenue...
(north) - Lower Garden DistrictLower Garden District, New OrleansLower Garden District is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St...
(east) - Irish ChannelIrish Channel, New OrleansIrish Channel is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Magazine Street to the north, 1st Street to the east, the Mississippi River to the south and Toledano to the...
(south) - TouroTouro, New OrleansTouro is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Central City/Garden District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St. Charles Avenue to the north, Toledano Street to the east, Magazine Street to the south and Napoleon Avenue to the...
(west)
Boundaries
The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of the Garden District as these streets: St. Charles Avenue, 1st Street, Magazine StreetMagazine Street
Magazine Street is a major thoroughfare in New Orleans, Louisiana. Like Tchoupitoulas Street, St. Charles Avenue, and Claiborne Avenue, it reflects the curving course of the Mississippi River...
and Toledano Street.
The Garden District Association defines the boundaries as both sides of Carondelet Street, Josephine Street, both sides of Louisiana Avenue, and Magazine Street.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,970 people, 1,117 households, and 446 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 9,381 /mi² (3,940 /km²).
History
This whole area was once a number of plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s, including the Livaudais Plantation. It was sold off in parcels to mainly wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter
French Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. When New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city was originally centered on the French Quarter, or the Vieux Carré as it was known then...
with the Creole
Louisiana Creole people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World...
s. It became a part of the city of Lafayette in 1833, and was annexed by New Orleans in 1852. The district was laid out by New Orleans architect, planner and surveyor Barthelemy Lafon
Barthelemy Lafon
Barthelemy Lafon was a notable architect, engineer, city planner and surveyor in New Orleans, Louisiana. In later life, he turned away from architecture and engaged in piracy and smuggling....
.
Originally the area was developed with only a couple of houses per block, each surrounded by a large garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
, giving the district its name. In the late 19th century some of these large lots were subdivided as Uptown New Orleans
Uptown New Orleans
Uptown is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and the Jefferson Parish line. It remains an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th century architecture...
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
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
houses. Thus the "Garden District" is now known for its architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
more than gardens per se.
A slightly larger district (one block further west to Louisiana, one block farther north to Carondelet and three blocks farther east to Josephine) was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1974.
Landmarks
The George Washington Cable HouseGeorge Washington Cable House
George Washington Cable House is a cottage at 1313 8th Street in the Garden District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the home of George Washington Cable , an American novelist who wrote of Creole life, during the period in which he rose to national prominence.He lived in this home during...
, at 1313 8th St., is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Commander's Palace
Commander's Palace
-History:It was built in 1880. It is located in the Garden District of Uptown New Orleans , and is owned by the Brennan family. It has long been one of the best regarded upscale restaurants in the city. Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse are two of its most famous alumni who have worked in its...
is one of the city's most famous restaurants.
Other neighborhood landmarks include the historic Anshe Sfard
Anshe Sfard
Anshe Sfard is a synagogue in the Garden District neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana.The congregation was founded by Hasidic Jews from Lithuania. The congregation today is Modern Orthodox. It is located in the historic building at 2230 Carondelet Street...
synagogue, numerous antebellum mansions, historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, and "The Rink", a 19th century skating rink building that has been converted into a small shopping mall.
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 KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
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
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans
The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans have been long-lasting. As the center of Katrina passed South-east of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, winds downtown were in the Category 3 range with frequent intense gusts and tidal surge. Hurricane force winds were experienced throughout the...
). 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 St. Charles Avenue was surveyed to be only four feet above mean sea level, compared to a Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
height of 14 feet (4.3 m) above sea level; (Hogan, 1990) nevertheless, the entire Garden District fared well with respect to Katrina flooding effects.
Government and infrastructure
The Garden District is within the 6th District of the New Orleans Police DepartmentNew Orleans Police Department
The New Orleans Police Department has primary responsibility for law enforcement in New Orleans, Louisiana. The department's jurisdiction covers all of Orleans Parish, while the city is divided into eight police districts....
.
Transportation
The New Orleans Regional Transit AuthorityNew Orleans Regional Transit Authority
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a body established by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1979; since 1983 it has controlled bus and streetcar service in the City of New Orleans....
provides public transportation. The streetcar is easily accessible from St. Charles Avenue. Streetcar fare is $1.25.
Education
The Garden District is zoned to schools in the New Orleans Public SchoolsNew Orleans Public Schools
New Orleans Public Schools is a public school system that serves all of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Schools within the system are governed by a multitude of entities, including the Orleans Parish School Board , which directly administers 4 schools and has granted charters to another 12,...
. Public elementary schools in the vicinity include Mary MacLeod Bethune Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Laurel Elementary School. Public high schools in the vicinity include McMain High School and McDonogh 35 High School.
The McGehee School
McGehee School
The Louise S. McGehee School is an all-girls secular private school in the Garden District in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The McGehee campus, which is one city block, has nine buildings and over of space.-External links:*...
, a private school, is within the boundaries of the Garden District Association. In addition the Trinity School of New Orleans is in the area.
Notable residents
Julia Reed and Jon Pearce- Drew BreesDrew BreesDrew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Sandra BullockSandra BullockSandra Annette Bullock is an Academy Award winning American actress and producer who rose to fame in the 1990s after roles in successful films such as Demolition Man, Speed, The Net, A Time to Kill, and While You Were Sleeping. She continued with films such as Miss Congeniality, The Lake House,...
- Nicolas CageNicolas CageNicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
- John GoodmanJohn GoodmanJohn Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993, and for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with prominent roles in Raising...
- Archie ManningArchie ManningElisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, then for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings...
- Eli ManningEli ManningEli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
- Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
- Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
- Trent ReznorTrent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
- Anne RiceAnne RiceAnne Rice is a best-selling Southern American author of metaphysical gothic fiction, Christian literature and erotica from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies, making her one of the most widely read authors in modern history...
- Christopher RiceChristopher RiceChristopher Travis Rice is an American author. Rice has written five best-selling novels: A Density of Souls, The Snow Garden, Light Before Day, Blind Fall, and his latest book, The Moonlit Earth, which was published in April 2010 by Scribner.-Biography:Christopher Rice comes from a family of...
- Stan RiceStan RiceStan Rice was an American poet and artist. He was the husband of author Anne Rice.-Biography:Stan Rice was born in Dallas, Texas 1942. He met his future wife in a high school journalism class in Richardson, Texas, and they married in Denton, Texas on October 14, 1961...