NNTP-Posting-Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2003 09:33:43 EDT Organization: Cox Communications Xref: usenet.INS.cwru.edu alt.travel.new-orleans:3589 OBNO 130 Aw, Crap(s): Life in the Hood I have moved to the "hood" after being suburban guy for a while. I think I have lived most every lifestyle: urban high rise, urban single family home, suburban apartments and houses, rural plots of land, in hotels, condos, the car, and on the street. After a suburban year in New Orleans, I was thinking of moving out to the country --- but that wasn't to be, apparently, so I find myself in Faubourg Marigny (faubourg is French for suburb), which isn't really a suburb, but an inner city neighborhood, immediately adjacent to the neighborhood our city is famous for - the French Quarter. Some people call the Marigny "the bohemian extension of the Quarter," and it might just be. It is named for the owner of the last plantation that stood on this site: Bernard Xavier Phillippe de Marigny de Mandeville (1785-1868). Bernie's father died in 1800 and left him the plantation and assorted baubles that made Bernie one of the richest men in the world, at the ripe old age of 15. He inherited over seven million dollars, which, in today's moolah would have made him Bill Gates many times over. So what did Bernie do with his money? Donate it to medical causes in India? Nope? Wire libraries? Nope. Marigny shipped out to London to continue his "business education," and returned in 1803 to introduce the game of "Craps" to America. The game was originally called "Le Crapaud," meaning "the frog," because of the positions players assumed during the game. (Aren't WE learning a lot in this OBNO?) Crapped out, or possibly just bored, Bernie began dividing up the plantation in 1805 into small parcels, which were sold primarily to Creoles (free men of color). Marigny named most of the streets himself, including one called "Craps," because of his passion for the game. Four churches along that boulevard didn't particularly like the association, and the street name was changed to Burgundy, which is remains to this day. Bernie also planned the Champs Elysee (Elysian Fields) to be New Orlean's grandest boulevard - running from the river to the Lake, a winding tree-lined boulevard, eventually (he hoped) to have a canal down the middle of it bustling with swan boats. The GI bill and soldiers moving to new construction in the outlying areas after WW2 hastened the decline of Faubourg Marigny, until 1974 when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. That spurred a mini boom, in which people started to take an interest in the old Creole cottages and small businesses. Today Faubourg Marigny is home to a diverse populace - people of all ages, origins, and interests. Within one mile of my place there are 37 bars, 121 restaurants, 55 hotels, 48 B&B's, 44 food shops, half a dozen coffee shops, the French Quarter, the French Market, and soon - the restored "Desire" street car line. Bernie would be pleased. more tales of the city at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/OBNO/start Article 3599 of alt.travel.new-orleans:
New Orleans, LA