Surveyor General Barthélémy Lafon had grand plans for this very spot. Annunciation Square was envisioned as the home for a magnificent cathedral. But what stands here today tells a different story. This 3.5-acre square is located in the heart of the Lower Garden District. It was once the center of New Orleans’ most exclusive neighborhoods.
Let’s step back in time. In 1807, Lafon divided two plantations into lots and squares. One was called Faubourg Lacourse and the other Faubourg Annunciation. Annunciation Square was placed right in the middle. The city purchased the square in 1854. It was designated for public use at that time. The current design of Annunciation Square comes from 1989. It was created by Cashio Cochran.
Annunciation Square covers one large city block. Streets and sidewalks surround it on all sides. You’ll notice a recreation center along the northern edge. There is also a basketball court. The formal entrance features a metal gateway. Black metal lamp posts frame the entrance. These lead to a circular concrete pad. Grass grows at its center. Mature trees encircle it.
Along the eastern edge of Annunciation Square is a playground. A picnic area is here too. Wooden posts separate the rest of the square from the sidewalks. A large multi-use field dominates most of the space. It stretches to the southern boundary. A rectangular open field forms the western edge. Concrete sidewalks divide the square’s sections. Otherwise, the space is open and inviting.
The Lower Garden District has a rich history. In the early 19th century, Barthelemy Lafon conceptualized it. He was hired to subdivide plantation property. Lafon named the streets after the Greek muses. He imagined basins, fountains, and tree-lined canals. His plans included marketplaces and parks. Coliseum Square and Annunciation Square were part of his vision.
The Coliseum Square Association played a vital role in the area’s revival. Founded in 1972, it fought against a bridge ramp. The association worked to protect historic buildings. It helped revitalize Coliseum Square and other green spaces.
Today, Annunciation Square continues to serve as a valuable public space. It offers a place for recreation, relaxation, and community gathering. It might not be the site of a grand cathedral as Lafon imagined. Yet, it remains a vital part of the Lower Garden District. It is a testament to the neighborhood’s evolving history.
Take a moment to appreciate the blend of history and recreation here at Annunciation Square. It is a place where the past and present meet. It shows how a city’s vision can adapt and thrive over time.