Derby Gisclair

One of my favorite photos from the vault that I think works well around Halloween. This Great Blue Herons claw could very well belong to a Death Eater! #nolasky #nola #neworleans #birds #nature #photography

#quotes

As we approach Halloween, we are also closing in on All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Soul's Day (November 2nd) -- also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

... façade of the tombs, shown here in an 1885 engraving. Far from solemn, it was quite the community event with friends and neighbors sharing stories of their loved ones, and perhaps a simple meal as they worked. (continued)

Sadly, with many families being scattered throughout the country, many tombs have fallen into disrepair as surviving family in many cases is unaware of the existence of a family plot.

The Catholic Church teaches that the purification of the souls in Purgatory can be hastened by the actions of the faithful on earth. Thus began the custom in New Orleans of gathering at the tombs of their deceased family members on All Saints' Day to clean and refurbish the exterior ... (continued)

As we approach Halloween, it is almost safe to say that if an animal comes in all black, it could be considered linked to the supernatural and scary. Crows have long been thought to represent a bad omen. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #nature #birds #photography #halloween

"Golf is not a game, it’s bondage. It was obviously devised by a man torn with guilt, eager to atone for his sins." ~ Anonymous #quotes #golf

A singular return of Map Monday -- For this post I wanted to return to a section of New Orleans that I have always found interesting, that being the area between Metairie and the Fair Grounds, shown here in a detail from an 1884 map (NYPL) produced... (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

The location that we know as Audubon Park was, in fact, called City Park before the land was repurposed for the World Industrial & Cotton Centennial Exposition in 1884. Notice the streets surrounding the smaller City Park and notice that the squares are blank, meaning that ... (continued)

... the area was not yet developed. Contrast that with the area below City Park which shows the squares shaded meaning that they were already developed.

... for the World Industrial & Cotton Centennial Exposition by the Southern Lithograph Company at 38 Natchez Street in New Orleans. On the left side of the image are two ovals which were horse racing tracks -- the top one was the Metairie Course which became Metairie Cemetery and the ... (continued)

... bottom one was the Oakland Riding Park, a trotting track that became part of the golf course at New Orleans Country Club. On the far right is the racetrack for the Fair Grounds. In the center we see a rectangular plot of land that delineated the boundaries of City Park. (continued)

My horse's jockey was hitting the horse. The horse turns around and says "Why are you hitting me, there is nobody behind us!" ~ Henny Youngman #quotes #HorseRacing

Probably the earliest depiction of the new French settlement on the Mississippi River, this view of New Orleans appears as an ornamental badge on a larger map from the archives of the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

It has been suggested that the buildings depicted represent the settlement at the entrance of Bayou St. John.

For those who have enjoyed the first book of stories in the Poor Edward Peter series, I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave a brief review on Amazon, even if you do so anonymously. (continued) #PoorEdwardPeter #ShortStories #books #fiction #neworleans

Reviews drive the algorithms at Amazon to provide greater visibility for authors and help readers discover my work.

“Most men will not swim before they are able to.” ~ Herman Hesse #quotes #Swimming

New Orleans circa 1900 - 1909: St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street showing a bustling commercial district, with one brave lady crossing in front of the streetcars. Electric streetcars were first introduced in 1893. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

Note the difference between the paved street in the foreground and the large cobble-paved street along St. Charles. The city appears to be quite hazy in the background.

"Cross-country skiing is great if you live in a small country." ~ Steven Wright #quotes #Skiing

Rebuilt on the original site of the first building that was destroyed by fire in 1854, the new Mechanic's Institute was an imposing building for its day. Although it was brick, the façade was stuccoed and painted to resemble granite. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

This image is from a stereograph produced by Lilienthal and is dated as 1860 - 1870 by the Library of Congress. This would be the site of the murderous 1866 Riot.

I would like to thank the ladies of Le Petit Salon for their kind invitation, their warm welcome, and the opportunity to speak to the group.

James H. Caldwell may be best remembered in New Orleans history as the owner-operator of the city's first English language theatres-- the St. Philip Theatre (1820 - 1822), the American Theatre on Camp Street (1922 - 1835), and the St. Charles Theatre (1835 - 1842). (continued) #nolasky #neworleans

Caldwell later sold his theatres to concentrate on expanding his gas business. At the end of the 40-year period there was a consolidation with a new company that had secured a subsequent franchise from... (continued)

... the Legislature which was known as the Crescent City Company which lasted until 1925 and which devolved to the precursor of New Orleans Public Service.

... New Orleans Gas Lighting & Banking Company. That venture was capitalized at $300,000 ($8.9 million today) and provided the city with the opportunity to purchase the company after 40-years. Portions of the complex he built is shown here in photographs from 1860 - 1862. (continued)

It would eventually occupy several city squares from Poydras Street to Gravier and from Clara Street to Freret, much of which was behind Charity Hospital and next to the old Jackson Cotton Press and yards. (continued)

It was in the furtherance of that venture that Caldwell sought to provide better and safer lighting by installing gas lighting in his Camp Street Theatre in 1824. So popular was this side venture that in 1835 he was awarded a city franchise to provide gas lighting through his ... (continued)

"Rocky Marciano didn't know enough boxing to know what a feint was. He never tried to out-guess you. He just kept trying to knock your brains out." ~ Archie Moore #quotes #boxing

Founded in 1850, Lhote & Company, otherwise known as the "Old Basin" Steam Sash, Door, and Blind Factory and Lumber Yard, was located on the corner of Franklin Street (now Crozat Street) and Toulouse Streets. (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

The basin may be seen on the right side of the illustration. They had a sales office on Carondelet Street between Gravier and Union Streets.

Coffee certainly makes the writing go faster. I only hope it makes it better as well. #writing #books #ShortStories

For your consideration -- a reflection on patience.

#quotes #WinstonChurchill

I just love this photograph that is dated 1891, but is likely from late 1892 or early 1893. It shows an early electric New Orleans & Carrollton Railroad streetcar. According to L.C. Hennick in “The Streetcars of New Orleans,” this was a trial run ... (continued) #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

... before the official launch of electric cars on February 1, 1893. This line would be renamed the St. Charles line. Two operators and ten passengers as well as this fellow with his umbrella on the left striking quite a pose, plus two bystanders in the left background. (continued)

They are likely friends, family, and co-workers making the trip. A second horse-drawn streetcar is on the far right, backed up as the photographer staged his shot.

One of my favorite images from the vault -- an osprey headed back to the nest with dinner. #nolasky #nola #neworleans #birds #nature #phtography

#quotes #MarkTwain

Established in 1850, the New Orleans firm of H. Dudley Coleman had their offices at 9 Perdido Street and their foundry, machine shop, and warehouse on Erato Street between Clara and Magazine Streets. (CONTINUED) #NOLASKY #NOLA #NEWORLEANS #HISTORY

They were especially proud of their patented cotton press that they exhibited at the World Cotton & Industrial Centennial Exposition in 1885.

#quotes #Aristotle

Detail from an 1885 advertisement for the Crescent City Cornice Works located at 247 - 251 Magazine Street in New Orleans. The firm specialized in galvanized iron cornices and window caps and had recently branched out into skylights and tin roofing. #nolasky #nola #neworleans #history

I never thought I would have to take the time to praise the hundreds of crows that visit our downtown neighborhood, often with unpleasant results. Recently there was quite a clamor on our rooftop deck. We went up to see what could be causing such a ruckus ... (continued)

... and it was a trio of crows attacking two Coopers Hawks that were trying to raid the three dove nests on the upper level and make off with the chicks. The crows not only kept them away but were successful in chasing them off. Wonder next cease!