Crescent City

Uncirculated

Published by New Orleans News Co.

Postcard Caption:

The winding path of the Mississippi River at New Orleans and the huge crescent from which the city gets its title as "Crescent City," are here clearly shown. The river continues on its sinuous journey to the Gulf of Mexico, 107 miles below the city.

New Orleans - American's Most Interesting City

You can see an aerial view of New Orleans via Google Maps:

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The term "Crescent City" brings two things to mind: 1) Lucinda Williams and 2) the BP Oil Spill. Believe it or not, this picture is from the June 13th Lucinda Williams concert at Cornell University's Bailey Hall. A portion of ticket proceeds went to the Finger Lakes Land Trust to help the organization celebrate its 25th anniversary. I didn't think I'd get to hear "Crescent City," one of my favorite Lucinda Williams songs, but she played it early in the set.

Hearing "Crescent City" live is a joyful memory. Not so for the BP oil spill, which still devastates the Gulf even though the spill was over four years ago. Industries reliant on the water are suffering, as are over ten species of animals that still experience high levels illness and birth defects, attributable to the spill. Instead of taking responsibility as they promised they would, BP is using every means possible to avoid paying damages. Be sure to stay informed about the latest developments in the Gulf so that you can advocate for the people and animals who can't speak for themselves.

"Oiled Pelicans," by the Louisiana State Governor's Office is licensed under  CC BY 2.0

REFERENCES

• "BP Oil Spill," The Guardian Online.
• Inkley, Douglas B. (8 April 2014). "Four Years Into the Gulf Oil Disaster: Still Waiting for Restoration," National Wildlife Federation

The Corn Fence

Postmarked 9 May 1955

New Orleans, Louisiana

Postcard Caption:

THE CORN FENCE / This fence which is located in the Old French Quarters at 915 Royal Street was made before the Civil War days. It is about fifty feet in lengths. It is very doubtful that a duplicate of this design was ever made.

Postcard Message:

Dear Hazel: We are having a nice time it is warm here. The oleanders and magnolia are in full bloom. Isn't this something new in fences. The city is very quaint iron fences everywhere. I love them We stopped at a Hotel building in 1800. Slept in a canopy covered 4 poster bed. Ate with cain silver service and off of Old Bavarian china. antiques galore. / Love, Winnie / I cannot write in the train so no letters to anyone.

I visited New Orleans for a conference back in 2004, and was able to take a couple of photographs of the famous corn fence. Just after college, I was collecting corn memorabilia, so a fence depicting corn was fabulous to me. According to the Cornstalk Hotel, which now occupies 915 Royal Street, Dr. Joseph Secondo Biamenti commissioned the fence in 1856 to help alleviate the homesickness of his bride recently arrived in New Orleans from Iowa.

The World's Greatest Banana Port

Uncirculated

Published by New Orleans News Co.

Postcard Caption:

Front: Unloading Bananas, New Orleans, La. - 60

Back: At New Orleans, the world's greatest banana port, more than 700 ships arrive each year loaded with 25,000 to 50,000 bunches of this popular fruit. At the banana wharves, the individual bunches are carried from the hold of the ship to the door of the refrigerator car on mechanical conveyors.

New Orleans is no longer the world's greatest banana port; it is not even the busiest port for bananas in the United States. In the Gulf region, Gulfport has taken over the reigns, but Chester/Wilmington, Delaware, and Los Angeles are also ports accepting large numbers of bananas.

I picked this postcard since today is Labor Day in the United States, a day to honor the social and economic contributions of America's workers.

Main Banana Import Ports, 2011

Jackson Square: Well Preserved and Under Excellent Care

Uncirculated
Published by Louisiana News Co. (~1940s)

Postcard Caption:

JACKSON SQUARE, originally known as the Place D'Armes, is a monument to Don Andres Almonester y Roxas, whose funds built the St. Louis Cathedral in 1794, and Pontalba Apartments, flanking the square. The building to the left of the religious edifice is the Cabildo, best known monument to the age of Spanish domination, and storehouse of historic treasures. The building on the right of the church is the Presytere, housing the Natural Science Division of the Louisiana State Museum. In the center of the square is the Jackson Monument unveiled in 1856. Jackson Square has been well preserved and is under excellent care.

On this date in 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed, and the ownership of the territory transfered to the United States from France.

New Orleans

Postmarked December 1975