Historic French Quarter Buildings.
Historic French Quarter Buildings.
There are numerous historic French Quarter buildings to visit in New Orleans. Below are just a few that you should see.
Madame John’s Legacy
Madame John’s Legacy
Built in 1722 and rebuilt after the fire of 1788 this state property is one of the most architecturally and historically important Colonial structures in the entire State of Louisiana.
Madame John’s Legacy received its name from a reference in one of George Washington Cable’s creole stories, Tite Poulette.
Madame John’s Legacy is one of the most architecturally significant houses in New Orleans and it is one of the few surviving examples of this type of residence built during the French Colonial period. Although built during the Spanish regime, it is in the French style built for a Spanish officer by an American builder.
In 1778 a building on this site was owned by Rene Beluche, His son Renato Beluche became a sea captain whose corsair “The Spy” was said to ply the waters around Barataria before the Lafitte brothers began plundering there. At any rate, legend has always said there was pirate treasure stashed away in the cavernous depths under the house, or to be more accurate, under the house that existed originally on this lot.
The Pedesclaux-Le Monnier House
Pedesclaux-Le Monnier
One of the more famous French Quarter buildings is the Pedesclaux-Le Monnier House on the corner of Royal and St. Peter. Completed in 1811. It is nicknamed “The Skyscraper” by locals because of their belief that when it was built it was the tallest structure in the French Quarter not counting the spires of the Cathedral. The “Skyscraper” legend is wrong because the 4th floor wasn’t added until 1870s. There were numerous 4 story buildings at this time in the Quarter so another floor being added would not draw any attention. It’s currently undergoing renovation, and this is what it looks like today. (Nov. 2018)
Hotel St. Pierre
Hotel St Pierre
This house was erected on the corner of Dumaine and Burgundy Street in 1780. It escaped the great fire of 1788. It’s now a part of the Hotel St. Pierre complex. Constructed in the “briquette-entre-poteaux” or “small brick between posts” architectural style. The bricks were made with Mississippi River mud, Spanish moss and horse hair.
Louis Armstrong stayed at the hotel and writer Tennessee Williams was known to frequent the property as well.
There are numerous Historic French Quarter buildings that you can see on your next visit to New Orleans. These are just a couple you don’t want to miss!
