Detail from Plate 22 of the Robinson Atlas, New Orleans, 1881
In 2004, when I wrote the book, New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line, I did a bit of research into the company that originally built the Canal line, the New Orleans City Railroad Company (NOCRR). In addition to the Canal line, they also started the Esplanade line, and operated a car barn on Esplanade/Moss, near Bayou St. John. Based on this section of the map, it looks like block 492 is Pitot House, which was built in the 1790s. Then comes a streetcar facility, which would include a barn for the streetcars, as well as a barn for the mules that pulled them.
Google Earth view of Esplanade Aveue, Moss St, and Bayou St. John.
Here’s the present-day view of the area. You can see Pitot House, then a playground, then Cabrini High School, then Holy Rosary church.
I’ve been through the “plan book” plates and transactions from the period for this part of the city at the Notarial Archives, and I’ve come up with nothing documenting the purchase of this property by NOCRR. I’ve also got nothing on the transfer of the property back to the city (for the playground).
I would love to find a photo of this car barn, so if anyone has any thoughts on further sources to research, I’d appreciate the input.
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