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North Carrollton Streetcars @rtaforward
North Carrollton Streetcars have operated only since 2005. North Carrollton Streetcars NORTA 2012, operating on the "Carrollton Spur" of the Canal Street line, 23-December-2021. One in three (or four, depending on how busy the line is) cars running on Canal spin off...
Amtrak Kenner
Amtrak Kenner - The City of New Orleans heading out of and into downtown. Amtrak Kenner Amtrak's City of New Orleans, #58 (Northbound), passing through Kenner, Louisiana, approximately 20 minutes out of Union Passenger Terminal (NOL). The train picks up speed as it...
Napoleon Avenue Tunnel
The Napoleon Avenue Tunnel proposal would connect Uptown to a new bridge. Napoleon Avenue Tunnel Diagram of proposed approaches to a second bridge across the Mississippi River at New Orleans. The concept was to use Napoleon Avenue as a major traffic approach to the...
Key to Victory
"Key to Victory" was published in the 7-January-1968 of the Dixie Roto Magazine. "Deep in Dixie" was a regular series in the Dixie Roto, the Sunday magazine insert in the Times-Picayune. It's no surprise that the edition that came out the day before the commemoration...
Cutting Out Lake Borgne
Cutting out Lake Borgne - American defense delayed the British. Cutting out Lake Borgne "British and American Gunboats in Action on Lake Borgne, 14 December 1814." This painting by Thomas L. Hornbrook depicts the "cutting out expedition" of the Royal Navy on five...
Canal Street Retail 1897
Big changes in Canal Street Retail 1897 shook up shopping. Canal Street Retail 1897 When 1897 opened, changes to the landscape of Canal Street retail were already shaping up. The year-end clearance ads published on January 3rd looked as one would expect. The ads in...
Lakefront Airport 1945
A commenter to the ad post on Instagram asked, which airport? Another commenter replied this had to be Lakefront Airport, because MSY didn’t open to commercial aviation until May, 1946. So, New Orleanians hopping a plane to Dallas in 1945 drove out to the lakefront. NEW opened (as Shushan Airport) in 1934. A year later, airlines shifted to Kenner. Lakefront Airport morphed into a general aviation site, with Air National Guard units as well as private aircraft.
Eisenhower Commands – Christmas 1943
New Orleans fully supported the war effort. Manufacturing facilities, Andrew Jackson Higgins’ landing craft, major military hospitals, and shipbuilding kept the city busy. Retailers like the Krauss Corporation did everything they could to promote the sale of war bonds. Good news about air attacks and planning for the Summer of 1944 enabled New Orleans to have a cautious but happy holiday season.
Norfolk Southern 1073 – Penn Central Heritage
Norfolk Southern 1073 on the New Orleans Back Belt. Penn Central livery on Norfolk Southern 1073 NS 1073 heads Eastbound on the "Back Belt" in New Orleans. The EMD SD70ACe loco leads a short consist out to the railroad's yard in Gentilly. Norfolk Southern 1073 crosses...
Lazard’s Canal Street
The Lazard’s in this photo operated as one store on a very-busy Canal Street. The merchants of the Touro Buildings across the street offered their goods. Daniel Henry Holmes and other merchants appealed to locals in the 801 block. S.J. Shwartz completed his new building for Maison Blanche, with S. H. Kress next door. Katz and Besthoff Drugstore and Adler’s Jewelers serviced customers just up from Lazard’s.
Mid-City Magic on Murat
Folks would add the Centanni home as one of their stops to go see Christmas lights in other neighborhoods. The display awed and inspired children throughout the 1950s, including a young man from the Ninth Ward named Al Copeland. Al would credit the Centannis as the inspiration for the huge light display at his Metairie home.
Midnight Blue Anniversary – Amtrak 50
So far, three of the six passed through New Orleans. AMTK 46, in the Phase V livery, a slightly modified version of the go-to scheme. AMTK 161 bears the Phase I livery. This was the first scheme after all the “heritage” equipment was assimilated. Most recently, AMTK 100, Midnight Blue Anniversary.
Southern Crescent 1977
Amtrak took over almost all passenger rail operations in the United States in 1971. Southern Railway chose not to opt-in to Amtrak in 1971. The railroad continued to operate the Southern Crescent until 1978. So, this train is indeed a Southern Railway consist.
Twelve Months New Orleans December
Twelve Months New Orleans December, completing the series by Enrique Alferez Twelve Months New Orleans December This image is the twelfth and final in a series of images by Enrique Alferez, published by Michael Higgins as "The Twelve Months of New Orleans." Higgins...
Maison Blanche Thanksgiving
The Post-Thanksgiving sales in the Men’s Department included mostly grab-and-go items. Casual shirts, slacks, some jackets and coats. Mom would hit the stores while dad slept in or went fishing. So, Mom picked up stuff for dad that didn’t require his presence. That gave her time to explore the various ladies departments. From the employee perspective, it was easy. The lines stached up a bit, so shoppers didn’t come up for conversation.
Superliners Viewliners, Amtrak #TrainThursday
Amtrak operates two-level Superliner equipment outside of routes in and out of the Northeast Corridor. The railroad ordered 235 Superliners from Pullman-Standard in 1975. Employees of the US’s national passenger railroad chose the name, “Vistaliner” for the equipment. They later learned that name was copyrighted, so the cars became Superliners.The “Phase I” cars entered service in 1978.
New Orleans Thanksgiving, 1968
Undecided about where to go? On 23-Nov-1968, the Times-Picayune included ads for a number of restaurants. Those places knew people would forget to make reservations at their favorites. Then there were the visitors who needed some place to enjoy dinner.
Moisant Airport, 1960 (MSY)
As we approach Thanksgiving and Yuletide, Da Airport picks up its pace. In 1960, what we now think f as “the old terminal” opened for business. These postcard shots of the main terminal at Moisant Field, from Mr. Garrett L. Robertson of Metairie, show the completed front facade and interior.
Brennan’s Autumn 1966 @BrennansNOLA
“Autumn is delicious at Brennan’s” is the theme of this ad in the Times-Picayune, 9-November-1966.
Oscar’s Puppets
When Emile Alline created Mr. Bingle, he naturally visualized dolls of the character for window displays. Someone mentioned that there was a puppeteer working on Bourbon Street. He did vaudeville-style shows in between the dancers. Oscar had two puppets of Alline’s Bingle doll made.
Railroad Advertisements (2)
Two more railroad advertisements from November 3, 1925. The Orleanean ran from New Orleans to Houston, with through car service via the Southern Pacific’s Sunset Limited to California. The Louisville and Nashville operated New Orleans & Florida Limited between NOLA and Jacksonville.
Railroad Destinations, 1925 (1)
While travel on a regular train in 1925 wasn’t as elegant as Vanderbilt’s “executive” car, Southern Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad offered both sleeper and coach options for overnight trips. SP’s Sunset Limited enticed travelers with a scenic side trip in Arizona. New Orleanians learned about these opportunities via ads in the Times-Picayune.
NYC 3 – New York Central Executive Car
NYC 3 is a restored Executive Car from the New York Central. NYC 3 on the Crescent The northbound (#20) Crescent delivered a treat on Tuesday, 2-November. A "private varnish" car brought up the rear, NYC 3, named "Portland." This railcar served a different purpose...
Maison Blanche Advertising 1905
Maison Blanche advertising in the 1905 Jambalaya, Maison Blanche Advertising Ad for Maison Blanche in the 1905 edition of Jambalaya, Tulane University's yearbook. Maison Blanche opened in the Mercier Building, at the corner of Canal and Dauphine Streets, in 1897....
Twelve Months New Orleans November
Twelve Months New Orleans November, continuing the series by Enrique Alferez Twelve Months New Orleans November This image is the eleventh in a series of images by Enrique Alferez, published by Michael Higgins as "The Twelve Months of New Orleans." Higgins published...
Tombs, Ovens, All Souls
Tombs, Ovens, All Souls, the preparation was all for today. Tombs, Ovens, All Souls. Illustration from the 1870s, A Cemetery Walk, (Tombs and "Ovens.") shows the scene in a New Orleans cemetery. The tombs on the right are typical of the city's older cemeteries,...
Twelve Months New Orleans October
Twelve Months New Orleans October, continuing the series by Enrique Alferez Twelve Months New Orleans October This image is the ninth in a series of images by Enrique Alferez, published by Michael Higgins as "The Twelve Months of New Orleans." Higgins published the...
Metairie Cemetery Traffic Pattern
Metairie Cemetery traffic pattern was important on All Saints Day. Metairie Cemetery traffic pattern Ad in the Times-Picayune, 28-October-1962, for Metairie Cemetery. The cemetery stood next to the New Canal for over eighty years. The city filled in the canal in...
Amtrak Anniversary Locomotive
Follow-up to yesterday's post featuring an Amtrak Anniversary Locomotive. Amtrak Anniversary Locomotive Yesterday's post featured the Amtrak Crescent #20, northbound to New York City. On Monday, I went over to where the Back Belt crosses Marconi Boulevard, rather than...
Amtrak Crescent #20 Celebrates 50
The Amtrak Crescent #20 celebrates the railroad's 50th! Amtrak Crescent #20 celebrates Amtrak Crescent #20, about 20 minutes after departing Union Passenger Terminal, New Orleans (NOL). P42DCs AMTK 75 and 161 pull a consist of 3 coaches, 1 cafe' car, 2 sleepers, and 2...
600 Tchoupitoulas, 1843
Several of the buildings in this illustration of 600 Tchoupitoulas are still standing. 600 Tchoupitoulas George Sully painted this watercolor of the 600 block of Tchoupitoulas Street around 1843. The painting depitcts several three-story buildings on the downtown side...
Riding along Tchoupitoulas – St. Mary’s Market
Riding along Tchoupitoulas offers a view of the "sliver along the river, including St. Mary's Market. St. Mary's Market St. Mary's Market, seen here in this photograph from McPherson and Oliver, in 1864ish. This is the location of the original market. It stood where...
901 Canal Then/Now
901 Canal Then/Now shows the block in 1910 and present day. 901 Canal Then/Now Two views of the 901 block of Canal Street, one from an old postcard from 1910, the other from this afternoon. While the contemporary shot appears timeless, the old postcard is a very...
Departures October 1913 #TrainThursday
Railroad Departures October 1913 to Mobile, New York, and Dallas. Departures October 1913 Three ads in The Daily Picayune on October 21, 1913 entice New Orleanians to points East, North and West. The Louisville and Nashville (L&N) offers an excursion train to a...
Palace Streetcar 1921
Palace Streetcar on a test run on Esplanade Avenue, 1921. Comfortable Streetcars! New Orleans Railway and Light (NORwy&Lt) 605, running outbound on Esplanade Avenue, 8-October-1921. This photo is part of a set shot by Franck Studios for the Rail Department. The...
Amtrak Crescent 6-October-2021
The Amtrak Crescent runs from New Orleans to New York City daily. Amtrak Crescent Amtrak Crescent, train #20 on the timetable, departing New Orleans on 6-October-2021. There are a couple of things about this particular run of note to train fans, so why not make a blog...
Storyville Debate, 1897
The Storyville debate continued past the District's creation. . Storyville Debate In their edition of 9-October-1897, The Mascot re-printed a letter from "CITIZEN," originally published in The New Orleans Item. The letter decries the establishment of the Storyville...
Tivoli Circle, 1968
Tivoli Circle connected the CBD with Union Station. Tivoli Circle NOPSI 934, heading outbound on the St. Charles line, 1968. John LeBeau photo, via Aaron Handy, III. Here's Aaron's caption from Facebook: Outbound Charley car 934 coming off Saint Charles Avenue to...
Marching Festival, 2007
LMEA Marching Festival brings local bands together to perform. LMEA Marching Festival Each year, District 6 of the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) holds a "Marching Assessment" in the Fall. Crusader Band (along with other local bands) call it "Marching...
Claiborne Terminal 1978
There's always activity at the Claiborne Terminal. Claiborne Terminal 1978 It was hectic at the end of the St. Charles line on 18-August-1978. Michael Palmieri captured this shot of three vintage-1923 arch roof streetcars, (l-r) NOPSI 914, 923, 962. NOPSI 923 blocks...
Stein’s Canal Street
Stein's Canal Street occupied three different locations over the years. Stein's Canal Street Ad for Stein's Clothing in the Times-Picayune, September 21, 1972. Stein's was originally located at 800 Canal Street, corner Carondelet Street, but moved up in the 800 block...
Cartier Bus at Carrollton?
The Cartier Bus line ran in Gentilly. Cartier Bus Photo from Aaron Handy, III, of two streetcars and a "old looks" bus at Carrollton Station in the mid-1970s. Here's his caption from the "Vintage New Orleans Transit" group on the Book of Face: "Charley cars 951 and...
Gym Liturgy #BOSHSunday @BMHSCrusaders
Gym Mass is a key part of the holistic education offered at Brother Martin High School. Gym Mass Brother Louis Couvillon, SC, leads the students, faculty and staff of Brother Martin High School in the celebration of the Eucharist, Fall of 2009. Brother celebrates a...
Twelve Months New Orleans September
Twelve Months New Orleans September, continuing the series by Enrique Alferez Twelve Months New Orleans August This image is the ninth in a series of images by Enrique Alferez, published by Michael Higgins as "The Twelve Months of New Orleans." Higgins published the...
Private Utility Companies in New Orleans
New Orleans has always had private utility companies. Private Utility Companies There's a lot of talk in the wake of Hurricane Ida of privatizing the electric utility in NOLA. Electricity has been private since the 1880s. The New Orleans Railway and Light Building...
Southern Railway Park in Faubourg Treme
Southern Railway Park stood just off from the tracks leading to Terminal Station. Southern Railway Park Franck Studios photos of Basin Street turning towards the lake in the late 1950s. The two parking tracks inside Southern Railway Park are visible on the left. Prior...
Freret’s Cenotaph
Freret's Cenotaph remained on paper when the Washington Artillery chose another design. Freret's Cenotaph "Front elevation design for the Washington Artillery Monument (tomb)." by James Freret. Like most architects in New Orleans, Freret worked on spec. He drafted...
Maison Blanche World War I
Advertising for Maison Blanche World War I focused on readiness. Maison Blanche World War I Two ads in the Times-Picayune, 24-August-1917, illustrate the targeting of Maison Blanche World War I. The smaller ad ran on page two, whereas the large ad ran on the back page...
St. Aloysius Bonds
St. Aloysius bonds, a private issue to finance the completion of the new building. St. Aloysius bonds. Advertisement in the Times-Picayune, 15-April, 1925, for St. Aloysius bonds to finance the completion of the "new" school building. The Bond Department of Marine...
Unpacking 900 Canal Street
Streetcars and Walgreens at 900 Canal Street! 900 Canal Street This Peter Ehrlich photo from 2008 features some next details. Most notably, NORTA 968 runs inbound on the Canal Street line. This was the period post-Katrina where the Canal and St. Charles lines crossed...
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