LOU01, Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA.  At the heart of New Orleans is Jackson Square. Major General Andrew Jackson's statue, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans against the British in 1815, stands in it's center. dominating the square is St. Louis Cathedral. The first church, erected in 1724-1727 was destroyed in the great fire of 1788. The second church was dedicated on Christmas Eve, 1794. Enlarged and rebuilt in 1849-1851, it was designated as the metropolitan church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1850. December 9, 1964 marks the date Pope John Paul VI bestowed upon it the rank of minor basilica.

LOU02, Commanders Palace, New Orleans, LA.  Nestled in the middle of the garden district of New Orleans is a grand Victorian restaurant known as Commander's Palace. In 1880, Emile Commander established the restaurant for the distinguished neighborhood families living in the exclusive area. By 1900, commander's Palace was attracting gourmets from all over the world. Undergoing numerous ownerships, the building has gained refurbishment from each, wiithout losing any of its tradition and excellence. In 1974, the restaurant was restored for airiness and brightness; walls of glass replaced solid walls, while each room was carefully designed with the upmost detail. Today, the cuisine still reflects the best of the city with both Creole and American dishes, while Saturdays and Sundays are reserved for a special brunch menu and muted jazz.

LOU03 Steamboat House, New Orleans, LA  This unique mansion is the first of two identical homes built by the Doullut family.  It was built to resemble the steamboats on which Milton P.Doullut was a pilot.  It is adorned with the unusual pearls and topped with a belvedere from which you can take in a grand view of the Missippi River.  Descendents of the Doullut family continue to occupy this mansion and its twin only a block away.

LOU04 Lambert House, New Orleans, LA  This fanciful Queen Anne residence was designed by Canadian born architect Louis H. Lambert.  It was built in 1889 at a cost of $5,750.  The house changed hands several times over the years, remaining in the Bloom family for a lengthy seventy-four years.  In 1985, it was sold to Maria Carmen Palazzo who is the present owner.

LOU05 Sternwheeler Natchez, New Orleans, LA  The Natchez is a true sternwheeler.  Both paddlewheel and calliope are steam powered.  Established in 1812, a regular steamboat service was provided between New Orleans and Natchez, Mississippi.  This charming boat continues to offer daily cruises on the Mississippi River.

LOU06 St. Charles Streetcar, New Orleans, LA  New Orleans introduced the first streetcar to America, in 1844, at the Worlds Fair.  Today, on St. Charles Avenue, the last "conventional" streetcars are still running as a regular service.

LOU07 Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan, LA.   Built in 1787, Destrehan is the oldest documented plantation house left intact in the lower Mississippi Valley.  The influence of the West Indies is seen in the design of the tall and wide roof, which shades and cools the house.  Another West Indian design influence is the use of the ground floor as the working area of the plantation, while the living quarters are raised to the second floor where breezes are able to blow through open windows ad doorways.  A ten-year renovation was undertaken in 1830, changing the facade from early Louisiana Colonial style to Greek Revival.

LOU08 Cafe' Du Monde, New Orleans, LA   The original Cafe' Du Monde Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market.  Cafe' Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop.  It's menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice.  The coffee is served Black or Au Lait.  Beignets are square French-style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar.  The Cafe' is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans.

LOU09 Bourbon Street with street corner mime

LOU10 Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana   Mardi Gras, the "Fat Tuesday" before Ash Wednesday and Lent had its birth in the early 1800's.  Today, New Orleans explodes with color and celebration with parades and color costumes two weeks prior to Mardi Gras.

PLA01, San Francisco Plantation, Reserve, LA. This National Historic Landmark is galleried home that combines Creole style with Steamboat Gothic. The home is famous for its fine painted ceilings, executed around 1860, and for thhe faux marbeling and wood graining, now carefully restored.
The Plantation was built in 1856, on the banks of the Mississippi River, by Edmond B. Marmillion, who died the year of its completion. Valsin, Edmond's son, gave the home the name Sans St. Frusquin, which means "without your last cent" or "one's all" because of the large amount of money that was spent in building the mansion. In 1879, Achille D. Bouqere purchased the plantation and renamed it San Francisco.