The Garden District
New Orleans, LA
We downloaded a walking tour of the Garden District from:
www.freetoursbyfoot.com
We started on First near Prytania and wandered between St. Charles and Chestnut, and First and Washington
Archie Manning's House. 1420 First St.
Childhood home of Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning
Pretty cool corner marker. Not too many of them exist today in this condition. These tiles were replaced when the new concrete was poured. most of the tiles we saw were cracked and chipped or missing.
You can't stop Mother Nature. The roots on this tree fascinated me.
The Brevard-Rice House 1239 First St. Originally designed as a Greek Revival home, now has additions such as an Italianate Bay.
Recently owned by Anne Rice, but was sold after her husband passed away in 2003
Another amazing tree
The Rosegate fence is said to be one of the first chain link fences in the world. The rosebuds are often referred to as cow skulls
Payne Strachan House 1134 First St.
Jefferson Davis died here in 1889
The porch ceiling is painted a sky blue. The color is believed to keep winged insects from nesting here and to ward off evil spirits.
Morris-Israel House 1331 First St
Built by bricklayer, Samuel Jamison and completed in 1869. While doing repairs, a skull and bones were discovered under some floor boards.
This is the home of John Goodman. He moved here over thirty years ago. We just missed him driving out of his driveway. A fellow tourist said he saw someone that looked just like John Goodman, he didn't know that was his house.
The "Pink House" was built in 1853 for Michel Musson, one of the only Creoles living in the District before the Civil War. He was the uncle of the artist, Edgar Degas.
Robinson House 1415 Third St.
This house was built for tobacco merchant Walter Robinson and took 6 years to build(1859-1865). The flat roof collected water for the indoor plumbing and drinking water. It's one of the largest homes in the District at 12,000 sq. ft.
Eustis/Sandra Bullock Residence 2627 Coliseum St.
This Swiss Germanic Chalet was built 1867. Sandra Bullock bought it in 2009. She is rarely there, but allows other celebrities stay there. We didn't see anyone.
This stop sign is wrapped in colorful beads.
This place was built 1883 for Emile Commander to be a restaurant. It is now owned by the Brennans and is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the US.
Lafayette Cemetery
Established in 1833, it is the 3rd oldest cemetery still standing. There are over 27 different nationalities buried here. Here are some interesting tombstones.
Colonel Short House 1448 Forth St.
Built in 1859 for Kentucky Colonel Robert Short. The story goes that Short's wife complained of missing the cornfields in her native Iowa, so he bought her the cornstalk fence. Some say it was the most expensive choice in the fence catalog, and that's why she chose it.
Briggs Staub House 2605 Prytania
The Briggs home is the only true example of Gothic Revival architecture in the entirety of the Garden District. It was erected in 1854. Because this style reminded the Protestant Americans of the Catholicism of their Creole antagonists, it was not popular. Original owner Charles Briggs did not hold African slaves but did acquire Irish indentured servants. The large servant quarters can be seen to the left of the home.
A Vacant Lot and a Rendering of what's to come
The beautiful Madonna and canopy in the yard denotes a small Catholic chapel, used to stand here until Anne Rice, author of Interview with a Vampire, purchased the property. It’s the setting for her novel Violin. The home was designed by the Architect Henry Howard in 1857.
Be Careful around here.
Gilmour-Parker House
Built in 1853 for Thomas Gilmour a cotton merchant, later sold to John Parker; whose son became Louisiana Governor from 1920-1924.
The Women's Opera Guild House
The stand out homes in Garden District’s often include more than one style. Designed by William Freret in 1859, this building, combines Greek Revival and Italianate metal work with Queen Anne. Now owned by the Women’s Opera Guild, the home can be toured on Monday’s from 1 to 4 pm.
Toby's Corner 2340 Prytania
The Garden District’s oldest still standing residence was built in 1838. You can note the basic Doric Columns which speaks to the home’s age. Some would argue that even though built for an American it takes on a lot of practical Creole building techniques. The house has a raised basement for flooding as well as ventilation. The ceiling height is 15 feet tall. By opening the windows that surround the structure cross breezes coming off the Mississippi would be taken advantage of.
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