It's always fun to look back at old photographs to see how things have changed (and sometimes how they've stayed the same). Let's take a look back at these fascinating Louisiana photos that are more than a century old.
1. Baton Rouge, after the Confederate attack on Union troops in 1862.
What do you think of when you think of iconic views in Louisiana? Do you think of the Atchafalaya River Basin? Or maybe your mind wanders over to the New Orleans skyline seen from the Causeway. Or maybe the image of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival passes through your brain.
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I think the most iconic view in Louisiana is in Jackson Square, just steps from the Mighty Mississippi. It’s a photograph that all professional photographers want to add to their catalog. It’s a sight that every tourist in New Orleans wants to see. It’s a New Orleans landmark that’s been standing since the 1700s. Any guesses yet?
New Orleans, Louisiana at Jackson Square.
The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use in the United States. The first church was built in 1718, though it was nothing like the grandiose cathedral we see today. It was but a mere wooden structure.
Shortly after this first church was built, a second church was put in the works. This one was constructed of brick and timber and was completed in 1727. Sadly, this church was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, which destroyed most of the city.
The third time’s the charm, right? The cornerstone of the third church was laid in 1789, and the building was completed in 1794. Keep in mind that this was a time when Louisiana flip-flopped between Spanish and French rule. The first church was built by French colonists, and the third was constructed under Spanish rule.
The St. Louis Cathedral is the most famous Building in New Orleans
St. Louis Church received cathedral rank in 1793, and it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. A few additions have been made over the years, including a central tower (1819) and a plan to enlarge the cathedral in 1849 to meet the needs of the ever-growing community.
During the reconstruction, the central tower collapsed, and it was determined that the sidewalls would need to be replaced, too. These changes meant that very little of the original Spanish structure survived. The building we know and love today dates back to 1850, with very little of the original architecture surviving. The bell from the bell tower did make it through, though, and it was able to be reused and remains in the cathedral today.
Masses are still held at the cathedral, and you can visit the St. Louis Cathedral’s website for a mass schedule.
The interior of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana
St. Louis Cathedral is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. if you would like to take a self-guided tour. A $1.00 donation is suggested.
Do you think this is the most iconic view in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments. Read on to discover some of our favorite scenic views in Louisiana.
While you’re taking in the sights and sounds of New Orleans, perhaps you’d want to check out one of the many ghost tours in New Orleans.
This Is The Single Craziest Thing You Never Knew Happened In Louisiana
The murder of police chief David Hennessy in 1890 led to the largest mass lynching in U.S. history, highlighting the tension between Italian crime families and local law enforcement in New Orleans.
While Louisiana, and New Orleans in particular, has never been a stranger to violence, the reaction to police chief David C. Hennessy’s death in the late 19th century was perhaps the wildest and most overlooked event of the time. Here’s the single craziest thing you never knew happened in Louisiana—and perhaps the most shocking moment in Louisiana history:
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David Hennessy was born in 1858 and made New Orleans headlines when he captured a notorious Italian criminal, Giuseppe Esposito.
This arrest was significant because of the strong chokehold Italian crime families had over criminal justice in the city at the time. Later, when Joseph A. Shakespeare was elected mayor in 1888, he made David Hennessy his police chief.
After making changes in the police force for the better, Hennessy also continued to make enemies among the Italian crime families. He was seen as standing up for justice in the city.
On October 15, 1890, David Hennessy was murdered by several shooters after walking home from work.
Hennessy died a day later, and said that Italians shot him, although he did not say which ones. At the time, he was involved in a case where two Italian families, the Mantrangas and the Provenzanos, were battling for rights at the port.
Hennessy had been very popular among New Orleanians and there was immense pressure to find his killers.
Eventually 19 men were indicted for the murder and kept at the local prison. These trials did not go as planned, however. A series of acquittals and mistrials made locals believe that justice was not going to be served.
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On March 14th, 1891, the largest mass lynching in U.S. history took place inside of the Parish Prison.
It also served to introduce the term mafia to America more generally and was a seminal event in the decades-long struggle between Italian crime families and local law enforcement.
David Hennessy’s tomb can be found today in Metairie cemetery, you can visit it knowing he was involved in one crazy thing that happened in Louisiana.
Louisiana has had some truly crazy things happen, but I think this is the single craziest thing to ever happen in Louisiana. What do you think is the most shocking moment in Louisiana history? Did you already know about this moment? Let us know your thoughts! And you should also check out some things about weird Louisiana.
Want to learn more about the history of Louisiana? Take a look at these books from our friends at Bookshop.org.
