A description of New Orleans during the early nineteenth century. Beginning with Andrew Jackson's arrival in the city, this pictorial study examines New Orleans during the early nineteenth century.
The book provides historical backgrounds for such locales as the Ursuline Convent, Charity House, the U.S. Custom House, and the French Market, among other sites.
Published in 1895, "New Orleans As It Was" is a classic, firsthand account of life in New Orleans during the first half of the 19th century. Henry Castellanos, a lawyer and lifelong resident of the city, presents a vivid and detailed portrayal of New Orleans before the Civil War. The book is part memoir, part social history, and part anecdotal chronicle, capturing the unique culture, colorful characters, customs, and major events that shaped early New Orleans.
Drawing upon his own memories and a wide array of personal observations, Castellanos introduces readers to a bygone era—depicting grand balls and duels, historic buildings, famed personalities, local traditions, and the day-to-day rhythm of city life. The book provides insights into Creole society, the city’s legal and political history, and the cosmopolitan ambiance that defined New Orleans in its formative years.
Hardcover with original spine intact. Soiled covers and mild nicks and bumps, but in remarkably good condition for the age (thanks to the slipcover and slipase).
Tight and square binding. Clean pages with no readily visible underlining or writing.
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This period in New Orleans saw the influence of many prominent individuals. Political figures included Reconstruction-era leaders like Governor Henry Clay Warmoth, as well as P.B.S. Pinchback, the first African American governor of Louisiana. The city also boasted influential Creole intellectuals such as Charles Gayarré, a noted historian, and Rodolphe Desdunes, a civil rights activist and journalist. In the cultural sphere, musical pioneers like cornetist Buddy Bolden and composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk began to shape the city’s unique sound. Writers such as Grace King and George Washington Cable documented the city’s quirks and tensions. Religious leaders like Mother Henriette Delille advocated for social change, while business and civic leaders such as Paul Morphy (chess champion) and E.J. Bellocq (photographer) contributed to the city’s creative and global significance.
New Orleans during this era was marked by iconic neighborhoods, buildings, and public spaces. The French Quarter (Vieux Carré) remained the historic and cultural heart of the city, with its Creole townhouses, St. Louis Cathedral, and the bustling Jackson Square. The Garden District flourished with grand antebellum mansions and oak-lined streets. Storyville, the famed red-light district, was established in 1897, but its roots traced back to earlier vice quarters. Canal Street became the city’s commercial hub, lined with shops, hotels, and theaters like the French Opera House. Other important locations included Congo Square (an origin point for jazz), the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, the New Orleans Mint, Charity Hospital, and the city's many street markets and levees alongside the Mississippi River. Cemeteries such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, with their iconic above-ground tombs, were both landmarks and tourist attractions.
In these transformative years, New Orleans experienced dramatic events that shaped its development. The end of the Civil War in 1865 brought the beginning of Reconstruction, marked by political upheaval and a push for African American civil rights. The Mechanics’ Institute Riot of 1866 highlighted the racial and political strife of the era. In 1872, the city hosted Rex, the first "King of Carnival," establishing the tradition of modern Mardi Gras parades. The Battle of Liberty Place in 1874 saw the White League challenge Republican authority and Reconstruction policies. The devastating Yellow Fever epidemics of the 1870s and 1880s took thousands of lives and shaped public health responses. The “Great Fire” of 1874 destroyed part of the French Quarter. Following 1877 and the end of Reconstruction, Democratic “Redeemer” governments implemented Jim Crow laws that re-segregated the city. The World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-1885 brought international attention to New Orleans. Finally, the legalization of Storyville in 1897 formalized the city’s reputation for nightlife and helped foster the birth of jazz music as the 19th century closed.
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