St. Louis Cathedral recently finished their own historical archaeological dig, finding among other things, a flower market and toys. Now, a storied name in French Quarter history has his own dig discoveries: Vincent Marcello wanted a pool in his backyard on Rampart and has found some older “residents” back there, probably from the time the area was St. Peter Cemetery in the 1700s.. Let’s hope he doesn’t want back rent…
Category Archives: old New Orleans
St. Anthony’s Garden’s archaeological dig and garden
The high winds of Hurricane Katrina managed to displace two large oak trees in St. Anthony’s Garden behind the Cathedral, dislodging 30 feet (9.1 m) of ornamental gate, while the nearby marble statue of Jesus Christ lost a forefinger and a thumb.
Restoration of St. Anthony's Garden at St. Louis Cathedral..
The garden restoration is finally underway….This video link tells its fascinating history (albeit a bit hokey with the fuzzy recreations) and about 14 minutes in, tells about the dig that started the restoration. Nice to know it was a flower market at one point, and how many toys they found in the excavation…And that the earliest structure in the French Quarter ever found in a dig was uncovered. And that fruit trees and native plants are being used.
<http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=5507649944314471148&hl=en&fs=true
Beauregard Square? who knew?
Turns out the space that has been known since the 1800s as Congo Square is actually called Beauregard Square for a Confed general who also has a statue at the entrance of City Park and a house tour in the Quarter. Seems the name change in favor of the general came in 1893 which seems about right, knowing the revisionist history that went on in the South around that time and that it was the year of his death. From the T-P article: “According to widely accepted historical tradition, African-American slaves were allowed to gather on Sunday afternoons in an open field just outside the city, at a spot known by various names including Place Congo. The slaves and free people of color used this space to market goods, to socialize and to sing, make music and dance, maintaining their cultural heritage as well as social cohesion. White New Orleanians and visitors to the city would go there to witness African-American music and dance.”
Congo Square is within Louis Armstrong Park at the “end” of Saint Ann if you are leaving the Quarter. The park’s current condition is deplorable and maybe the name change for this most important history will spark some action for this public space to be a jewel rather than an locked up eyesore. (Can I suggest a tearing down of the fence to begin?)
Author of “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans” Freddi Evans is appearing at Octavia Books and I am sure more signings to come to showcase her definitive history. I saw her speak at the TWLF this year and she is a delightful, gentle speaker with a firm grasp of her subject. Do yourself a favor and go hear her speak.
To order book
She will be at Octavia Tuesday at 6 pm.
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Spring Fiesta Senors and Senoritas!
“hey, do you want a beer?”
I would.
“where have you been all day?”
I was at the Spring Fiesta.
“What is that? Some type of Latino festival?”
Umm no. Its a 75-year-old French Quarter tradition that celebrates the culture of New Orleans by offering $25 house tours of 5 homes each day.
‘I never heard of it.”
Well, they have a website. But I think you are just supposed to know, since it’s been going on so long.
“I guess I am not getting this. What do they do, this group? Offer tours?”
Oh, they have a parade too. They give flowers out while wearing period dress.
“Like crinolines or some of that shit? on carriages?”
Of course on carriages. How could it be old New Orleans without carriages?
“Well, so what is the point anyway?”
Well there is a Spring Fiesta Queen and a court.
“OH, NOW I get it. Why didn’t you say that to begin with?”
Well, the houses are really nice too.
Give me another beer, wouldya?
French Quarter block by block 
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