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New Orleans History continued...
For thousands of years, the area that is now New Orleans was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Houma tribe. Modern history for the city, however, begins in the late 17th century. King Louis XIV was sending French explorers to the new land to bring treasures and triumph to France. At the time, the area was not fit for human settlers. Because the area was situated between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, it was overcrowded with mosquitoes, alligators and Indians. The area was adversely affected by floods, hurricanes and yellow fever epidemics. Despite all of this, Sieur de Bienville founded the city in 1718. The first French settlers named the city Nouvelle Orleans, after the Duke of Orleans.
Just four years later, in 1722, the city became the capital of the vast territory of French Louisiana. Many considered New Orleans to be the equivalent to Paris, due to its European outlook on life and its unique style of architecture. In 1762, due to the Treaty of Fontainebleau between the French and the Spanish, the territory was ceded to Spain. In 1766, a Spanish governor was sent to rule over the territory. The French settlers were never happy about being under the control of the Spanish. Fires in 1788 and 1794 destroyed hundreds of buildings in the city. Then, in 1800, Napoleon convinced the Spanish to give Louisiana back to the French. This French possession of the territory did not last long. In 1803, the United States signed the Louisiana Purchase with France, giving the territory to the United States. The historic signing took place in a building called the Cabildo, located in the French Quarter of the city. In 1805, the city of New Orleans was incorporated.
In the town of Chalmette, which is very near New Orleans, a key battle in the War of 1812 took place. In what became known as the Battle of New Orleans, British soldiers and a group of militiamen led by Andrew Jackson faced off in what would become a resounding victory for the Americans. Later, with the invention of the steamboat, the city began to prosper as a port city and began to enjoy the benefits of increased trade and commerce. Because of this prosperity, New Orleans served as the capital of Louisiana from 1812 until 1849.
Disaster struck the city in the 1850's. The city had unpaved streets and open sewers. Also, most residents disliked the city's drinking water and preferred backyard cisterns. These things all contributed to the growing population of mosquitoes. In turn, the mosquitoes spread a plague of yellow fever. In 1853, 10,000 people were killed by the disease. Of the city's population of 150,000, one-third fled the city to the in the summer of 1853.
While the city was devastated in 1853, the 1850's also saw an era of prosperity, due to the expansion of the slave industry. The economy of New Orleans was largely agricultural. The city had become the world's largest cotton market. At this time, there were 300,000 slaves in the city. Ironically, the city was also home to the nation's largest population of free people of color. With the slave industry so important, it was no surprise that Louisiana joined fellow southern states in seceding from the Union in 1861. The city quickly became an important naval military base for the Confederacy. Because New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederacy, it became a target for the Union army. In April of 1862, Union forces attacked the city. A fleet of 40 Union warships, led by Admiral David Farragut, had targeted the city. Unfortunately for the city, only 3,000 Confederate soldiers had been assigned to protect it. The Confederate soldiers eventually retreated and the Union forces took the city with little resistance by May 1, 1862. Because the city had been taken with little resistance, it was spared the destruction that most southern cities experienced during the Civil War. For the next fifteen years, New Orleans would remain under federal control.
New Orleans once again became the capital of Louisiana after the war (1865 to 1882). However, Reconstruction was a harsh time for the city. Banks failed, causing the city to go bankrupt. New Orleans went from a thriving city to a poor one. Most of the elections that were held during Reconstruction were corrupt with fraud and voter intimidation. For example, after the 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election, there was so much confusion that two different governors were named by two different election boards. Two different governors were again named in 1876 and this time they were separately inaugurated. In the presidential election of 1876, Louisiana sent two separate sets of electors to the Electoral College. This problem led to a compromise in which the Republican President, Rutherford B. Hayes, was elected in exchange for the removal of the federal troops from Louisiana. On April 24, 1877, federal troops officially left the city of New Orleans.
After Reconstruction, the city continued to grow. During this period, some unwholesome activities began to flourish in the city. Prostitution and gambling became popular, and corruption in politics began to grow. For example, many of the more than 80 gambling houses in the city operated under police protection. A state lottery was established, however, most of the money ended up in the political campaigns of the new corrupt politicians known as the “Redeemers.” As the gambling thrived, so did Mardi Gras. At first, the celebration consisted of simple carnival balls. Then, it evolved into more public parades. The Krewe of Comus began in 1857. After a break for the Civil War, parades returned to the city with the Krewe of Rex beginning in 1872.
Voters were able to overthrow the “Redeemers” in 1888. In order to achieve this, the voters had to surround the polls with gun-toting allies who were backed by the Young Men's Democratic Association. The new mayor, Joseph Shakespeare, made enemies very quickly. His police chief was murdered and citizens blamed the Mafia. A group from the Mafia was tried in court but was found innocent. This led to a public lynching of the accused Mafia gang members.
During the early 1900's, New Orleans continued to thrive. Its water and sewer system had been revamped in a very expensive project. This new water system along with the draining of the swampland helped to eliminate the mosquitoes which in turn led to less disease. However, the city would continue to be plagued by political corruption. The corruption would come to an end with the election of Story Morrison in 1946.
Morrison was a World War II veteran and political reformer. He organized many improvements in the city such as new government complexes like the new City Hall. He was also instrumental in the construction of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and the Greater New Orleans Bridge. He presided over the desegregation of the public schools in the city in 1960. While successful in the mayoral aspect, Morrison was defeated in three races for the governor of Louisiana. In all, Morrison was the mayor of New Orleans for 16 years.
The 1960's was another period of success for the city of New Orleans. Businesses blossomed and the population soared. New Orleans gained national attention in the late 1960's when the city landed its first professional sports franchise, the New Orleans Saints. At almost the same time, voters approved the construction of the world's largest indoor arena, the Louisiana Superdome. Completed in 1975, the Superdome cost nearly $20 million. The new arena led to the booming of a new business district on Poydras Street. The Superdome has played host to nine Superbowls, more than any other arena in the country.
Today, New Orleans is a thriving port city, known for its cultural heritage, both in music and cuisine. Tourism has become a major industry in the city. New Orleans is one of the most popular U.S. destinations, especially in February and March, during the Mardi Gras celebration. Visitors can choose between the city's 30,000 hotel rooms. Gambling once again became popular in the 1990's and the city has a beautiful casino located on Canal Street. The city's oldest district, the French Quarter, has a wealth of architecture which represents the district's colorful history. The city of New Orleans has 17 historical districts with more than 35,000 listed buildings.
New Orleans is the home to many fine educational and cultural institutions. Among the colleges and universities located there are Loyola University, Tulane University and the University of New Orleans. Among the museums located in New Orleans are the Confederate Civil War Museum, the Historic Voodoo Museum and the Louisiana State Museum.
Perhaps the most famous event in the city is Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday.” It is held just before the beginning of the Christian liturgical season of Lent. The celebrations include parades and floats. Participants throw colorful beads to the crowds. The Mardi Gras season is kicked off with the only parade allowed through the French Quarter, a walking parade aptly named Krewe du Vieux.
New Orleans is also home to several professional sports teams. The New Orleans Saints, of the NFL, play their home games in the Superdome. In 2002-2003, the Charlotte Hornets, of the NBA, moved their franchise to New Orleans. This makes the Hornets the first professional basketball team in the city since the New Orleans Jazz left for Salt Lake City in 1979.
New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures. Its unique environment is created by the presence of French, Spanish, African and American aspects. The elegance of the colonial Creoles, the music and cuisine of the peasant Cajuns, the excitement of Mardi Gras, a little touch of voodoo and some Dixieland jazz all contribute the timelessness of New Orleans. It truly is a city that has it all.
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