From the Streetcar

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Lighting the French Quarter – 1928

It’s amazing how we look at corners in New Orleans, particularly in the Vieux Carré, and marvel at how “unchanged” they are. That’s not really true, though, is it? This painting from 1928 is a great example of what we look past now. From THNOC, this painting, titled, “Suggested Street Illumination of the Vieux Carre,” pitches General Electric’s concept of how Da Quarters should be illuminated.

The electrification of New Orleans began in the 1890s. At that time, the city looked at a couple of alternatives to gas lighting for streets. The streetcar companies transitioned from mule power to electricity. By the 1920s, the tumultuous changes brought on by electrification settled. The city’s electric company, New Orleans Public Service, Incorporated, combined services for commercial, residential, and transit in 1922. NOPSI was a subsidiary of EBASCO, a division of General Electric. So, it was logical for GE to focus its resources on pitching lighting solutions to the city.

But enough corporate history, don’t ya just love this painting! It represents a time before photographers choreographed flash lighting to produce the perfect effect for postcard, poster, or maybe just a social media profile cover image. Here’s the record entry from THNOC:

View down Saint Ann Street at Jackson Square showing the Presbytere and Chartres Street. Taormina Brothers Macaroni Company, Gaienne, Incorporated Plumbing & Heating can be seen as well as people walking and automobiles.

The buildings in the painting are Still There More, but the businesses in the ones on St. Ann are different. Frank Taormina purchased the building on St. Ann, across from the Presbytere, in 1916. He operated a pasta factory there. The Taorminas later merged with the Uddo family. That company later became Progresso Foods. The location later morphed into The Chart House restaurant, and is now Muriel’s.

Across from Jackson Square, on St. Ann Street, stands the Lower Pontalba building. While the upper floors contained townhouses, the ground floor housed retail space. In 1928, the Gaienne Incorporated Plumbing and Heating occupied the corner space. The location is now the restaurant, Stanley.

Businesses in the Quarter come and go, but the buildings remain.

The other big difference between this 1928 snapshot of Chartres and St. Ann and modern times are the automobiles. There’s a car parked in front of the Presbytere, as a convertible with a rumble seat goes up St. Ann. Now, Chartres Street, from St. Peter to St. Ann, as well as both streets alongside Jackson Square, are closed to traffic.

One of the townhouses in the Lower Pontalba is the 1850 House and Gift Shop. Be sure to stop in, take the tour, and buy some stuff to support the Friends of the Cabildo.

Two Updates

1. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Ms. Marcelle Meyer, matriarch of the family that owns Meyer the Hatter, 120 St. Charles Avenue. Ms. Marcelle was the wife of Sam Meyer, 99, who was honored by the French Government for his service and heroism earlier this year. She was 97. The shop, is self-described “old school.” It opened in 1894.
2. Thanksgiving is almost upon us! If you’re considering going out for turkey day, get moving on reservations. This Eater article is from 2023, but it’s a good start.

Three Recommendations

We’ve got book recommendations this week, mainly because the authors are friends, but also, if you’re giving books for gifts, you should get moving.

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Our friend Maurice Carlos Ruffin is making the rounds, reading and signing his new book, The American Daughters. Maurice is wonderful writer and community leader.

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Dodgers? Yankees? Still celebrating or nursing the wound? How about a little local baseball! New Orleans historian Derby Gisclair’s new book, The 1910 New Orleans Pelicans: A Moment in Minor League History: Shoeless Joe Jackson and the New Orleans Pelicans Championship Season takes us back to an exciting era in the city’s history.

Looking for more reading inspiration? Check out Words and Music New Orleans, a weekend of fun, books, and music, November 20-23.

Four Ways to Support NOLA History Guy

1. ​Buy my books! Edward Branley is the author of six books on New Orleans history. They’re available from local booksellers and all the usual online suspects.
2. ​Book NOLA History Guy to speak at your event – Edward speaks to groups ranging in size to local groups like Kiwanis and Rotary to major conventions and trade shows.
3. ​Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi dot com. I just love this concept as a way to say thank you/tip creators you enjoy. Our idea of monetization is buying books and having us come to speak. If you see me at a coffee shop, stop and say hi. Otherwise, I’ll raise coffee cup to you if you treat me.
4. ​Become a patron. Yes, we’re on Patreon. A lot of creators use the platform for direct monetization, and that’s great for them. We don’t have “exclusive content” for patrons. Still, if you think our history stuff is worth a dollar a month, go join!