See more ideas about new orleans, new orleans louisiana and new orleans history. And while the film adaptation was shot almost entirely on hollywood soundstages, it nonetheless was key in giving many viewers an idea of new orleans ambiance. The canal streetcar line showcases photographs, diagrams, and maps that detail the rail line from its origin and golden years, its decline and disappearance for almost 40 years, and its return to operation. Its history and architecture is a vivid aspect of the big easys colorful personality. Author of five books on the history of new orleans, edward branley is a graduate of brother martin high school and the university of new. Rta streetcars new orleans 2020 all you need to know. One of new orleans most visually iconic links to the past its streetcar system got its start more than 180 years ago when the st. It contains details on each individual line, including routes, types of cars and more. Mar 24, 2004 new orleans was one of the first cities to embrace street railways, and the citys love affair with streetcars has never ceased. Charles avenue streetcar line from uptown to downtown and the french quarter and video of downtown streetcars. I wrote it in 2004, when the canal line returned to streetcar service.
The streetcar system was primarily operated by pacific electric 19011961 and developed into the largest trolley system in the world by the 1920. It was owned john mason, a wealthy banker, and built by john stephenson, an irishman. The streetcars of new orleans, 1964 present by earl e. There are currently five operating streetcar lines in new orleans.
Charles streetcar in new orleans is a unique and fun train to ride and watch. The longest of new orleans streetcar lines, the st. The clanging of a streetcar s bell conjures images of a time when street railw. Charles streetcar has become a symbol of the charm and romance of new orleans. This extensively illustrated,240page volume documents the long and colorful history of streetcartransportation in the city of new orleans. In 1922, operation of all new orleans streetcar lines was taken over by new orleans public service inc. Jan 31, 2019 the first streetcar began service in 1832 and ran along bowery street in new york. By 1900, the citys streetcars were electrified, and new orleans jazz was born in its clubs and dance halls. Featured aresections on early city transportation, and the.
A streetcar named desire penguin modern classics english edition. The book contains many old photographs and route maps. Sep 12, 2016 five new orleans nonfiction books to read right now if youre a history lover the world that made new orleans by ned sublette. Charles and carrollton avenues for more than 150 years.
Charles avenue line, the riverfront line, the canal stree. This reprint of a 1965 volume, written by the two leading authorities on the subject, represents the complete work on the subject of new orleans traction and. Author of five books on the history of new orleans, edward branley is a graduate of brother martin high school and the university of new orleans. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. See more ideas about new orleans, inspiration and new orleans convention center. System map jazzy passes as a precautionary measure to help mitigate the spread of covid19, the following lines will not be serviced. This reprint of a 1965 volume, written by the two leading authorities on the subject, represents the completework on the subject of new orleans traction and urban railways. During this walking tour, save time with a guide who knows the quickest routes around the big easy and brings the folklore and history of the city to life, all during the creepiest time of daythe night. New orleans has come along way since a french explorer stumbled upon a swamp settlement back in 1699. The date was april 28, 1867, two years after the end of the civil war. List of books and articles about new orleans history online.
New orleans was one of the first cities to embrace street railways, and the citys love affair with streetcars has never ceased. As a precautionary measure to help mitigate the spread of covid19, the following lines will not be serviced. Stop by the walgreens drug store, 900 canal street, on friday, december th, and buy my books. Jun 19, 2014 the first street railway opened in new orleans in 1835. Ill also gladly sign any of my other books the store has. Below is an album of pictures of new orleans streetcars and interurban operations in the area of the city. There was a fortyyear bus interlude, from 1964 to 2004. His urban fantasy novel, hidden talents, is available online and in bookstores. Charles and carrollton avenues for more than 150 years, the st. This extensively illustrated, 240page volume documents the long and colorful history of streetcartransportation in the city of new orleans. When riders board these historic vehicles, they are boarding a piece of movable new orleans history. This book provides a photographic essay of the new orleans streetcar system including the new loyola streetcar line that opened in 20 and is part of new orleans fabulous streetcars. New orleans is infamous for its spooky past, filled with tales of voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and witches.
The streetcars of new orleans by louis hennick, paperback. Set in new orleans during the years following world war ii, a streetcar named. Apr 28, 2018 but the story begins at least 88 years before that, when william nichols calmly took a seat aboard a whitesonly streetcar in new orleans, louisiana, and refused to move. In the 19th century, new orleans was the largest port in the south, exporting most of the nations cotton output and other products to. The new orleans regional transit authority streetcar no. During this walking tour, save time with a guide who knows the quickest routes around the big easy and brings the folklore and history of the. This reprint of a 1965 volume, written by the two leading authorities on the subject, represents the complete work on the subject of new orleans traction and urban railways. Spain took control of new orleans in 1763 after the signing of the treaty of paris, a 37year rule that left a lasting mark on the citys street names and architecture. But the story begins at least 88 years before that, when william nichols calmly took a seat aboard a whitesonly streetcar in new orleans, louisiana, and refused to move. The first street railway opened in new orleans in 1835. Charles avenue line, is the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world. Ill also gladly sign any of my other books the store has in stock, when you buy them.
Edward writes, teaches, and does speaking engagements on local history to groups in and around new orleans. Sharon keating is the author of new orleans then and now, and has been a licensed tour guide for the city of new orleans for over a decade. They are presented for your viewing pleasure, grouped primarily by streetcar line or location. When i was there, it was cool, instead of the usual summer heat. Harper charlton this comprehensive book starts at the beginning and culminates with the closure of the canal st. Today, the streetcars are operated by the new orleans regional transit authority. It continues the fascinating story of new orleans streetcars told in the original hennick and charlton volume the streetcars of new orleans.
Ondaatje mixes fiction and nonfiction, history and interviews. Charles streetcar line is the worlds oldest continuously operated electric railway line. Especially of interest to this native uptowner were the route maps and history of the uptown routes and. The french quarter is the oldest area of the city but is more properly known as the vieux carre, because although founded by the french in 1718, it also reflects the art and architecture of the spanish era. For more than thirty years, the historic new orleans collection has been publishing books about the city and the gulf south as part of our mission to promote the study and preservation of our regions history and culture. Over the years various methods of powering the streetcars including horses, stream locomotives, overhead cable system, and fireless locomotives were tried. New orleans in april 2016 with views of the green streetcars on the st charles route and red cars on the riverfront and canal street cemetery and city park routes. Four distinct lines, each originating downtown, will take you through the french quarter and beyond to places you might not otherwise get to see. Charles, canal, rampart, and riverfrontthey remain nostalgic vestiges of the citys past, immortalized in tennessee williams a streetcar named desire, and a number one item on tourist lists of things to do in the crescent city. Nola history guy podcast 05april2020 presents the first of a fourpart series on the riverfront streetcar line. Charles streetcar line has been operating in new orleans.
Charles line, the canal street line covering the cemeteries and city park, the riverfront line currently serviced by the canal lines, and the rampart line. New orleans became the second american city to offer streetcars in 1835. Streetcars in new orleans have been an integral part of the citys public transportation network since the first half of the 19th century. The canal streetcar line is my first book for arcadia. The canal streetcar line, and new orleans jazz, from 3pm5pm. At its peak in 1926, there were twentysix streetcar lines in new orleans. Jul 20, 2016 the streetcars of new orleans by louis c. Charles streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. Electric operation began in 1893, when streetcars took over after 20 years of horsecar operation. Much of the fame of the new orleans streetcar comes from its association with the tennessee williams play, a streetcar named desire. New orleans culture has inspired the writers of many famous books. At its peak in 1922, new orleans had 225 miles of electric streetcar lines in operation. As streetcars glide underneath grand live oaks and past stately mansions, they offer up relaxing views of the beauty, charm, and history of new orleans.
The new orleans streetcars have the distinction as one of the first passenger railroads in the united states and one of the oldest continuously operating street railway in the entire world. Streetcars archives edward branley the nola history guy. For almost four decades new orleans was a spanish outpost and important trading and cultural partner to cuba, haiti and mexico before reverting back to french rule. From their origins in the 1830s as local railcars and. Return to the original text, named after the famous new orleans streetcars, and then read my favorite new yorker article of all time, tennessee williams with air conditioning by mallory ortberg. Tour streetcars of new orleans new orleans historical. Be sure to share your favorite books set in new orleans in the comments. A project of the midlo center for new orleans studies in the history department of the university of new orleans and the communication department of tulane university, new orleans historical is a free app available on android or iphone mobile. A detailed history of the intersection of commerce and space and how its contoured the city that we know today, ned sublettes the world that made new orleans is an incredibly readable and superbly. Stephensons new york company would become the largest and most famous builder of horsedrawn streetcars. Its success contributed to the restoration of streetcars on canal street in 2004. Other historical books make for dry reading, but it is obvious that this one was. Streetcars are a charming and convenient way to experience the many areas of new orleans.
Both lines start at the same spot, though, where canal street meets the mississippi river. He tells us the history of the lines with technical information and. Nola history guy podcast 05april2020 two segments on nola history guy podcast 05april2020, our pick of the week from, and the start. Poppy z brite has written many great new orleans books. Apr 09, 2010 the streetcars of new orleans 1964present by earl w. Based on the true story of one family, zeitoun is a riveting book written by dave. Its a photo history of the street and the line, which dates back to 1861. This reprint of a 1965 volume,written by the two leading authorities on the subject, represents the completework on the subject of new orleans traction and urban railways.
Oct 21, 20 author of five books on the history of new orleans, edward branley is a graduate of brother martin high school and the university of new orleans. Jul 14, 2017 four years after hurricane katrina, dan baum, the author of nine lives, picks the best books on new orleans. This extensively illustrated, 240page volume documents the long and colorful history of. A streetcar named desire, a confederacy of dunces, and interview with a vampire. The canal street line is unique among new orleans streetcars, since it has two routesone to city park and the other to the aboveground tombs at metairie and greenwood cemeteries.