Flashlight to Streetlight
Terpsichore Street, New Orleans, LA.
The Lower Garden District has a rich and varied architectural character that reflects over a century of development. The District was laid out as streets and city blocks in 1809 by surveyor Barthelemy Lafon. Lafon had grand plans for the area that are still reflected in some street and park names. Coliseum Square, a three block long park in the center of the District, was intended as the site of a coliseum, and Annunciation Square as the site of a great cathedral. Prytania Street was intended as home to the prytaneum, or town hall.The primary streets running perpendicular to the river are named for the nine ancient Greek muses—Calliope, Clio, Erato, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Polymnia and Urania—another result of Lafon’s grand classical aspirations. Lafon’s street layout of this area reflects the curve of the Mississippi River, with streets intersecting at angles to older streets plotted in what is now the Central Business District.
Terpsichore Street, New Orleans, LA.
The Lower Garden District has a rich and varied architectural character that reflects over a century of development. The District was laid out as streets and city blocks in 1809 by surveyor Barthelemy Lafon. Lafon had grand plans for the area that are still reflected in some street and park names. Coliseum Square, a three block long park in the center of the District, was intended as the site of a coliseum, and Annunciation Square as the site of a great cathedral. Prytania Street was intended as home to the prytaneum, or town hall.The primary streets running perpendicular to the river are named for the nine ancient Greek muses—Calliope, Clio, Erato, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Polymnia and Urania—another result of Lafon’s grand classical aspirations. Lafon’s street layout of this area reflects the curve of the Mississippi River, with streets intersecting at angles to older streets plotted in what is now the Central Business District.