Doesn’t that water look inviting? This is Bayou St. John. It is more than just a scenic waterway. Bayou St. John is a historic lifeline.
Bayou St. John was known as Bayouk Choupic to Native Americans. They used it for canoes. French explorers and traders followed. They were drawn to the portage between the bayou and the Mississippi River.
In 1701, the French built Fort St. Jean. It protected the route at the Lake Pontchartrain end. Locals later called it Old Spanish Fort. The bayou helped decide where to found New Orleans in 1718. It was the river end of the portage.
The portage trail became Grand Route St. John. Later, it became Esplanade Avenue. Don Andres Almonester rebuilt Charity Hospital after hurricanes in the 1770s. He had also established a leper hospital near the portage road.
After 1803, the Carondelet Canal connected the city to Bayou St. John. The bayou was dredged for larger boats. Marie Laveau reputedly practiced voodoo rituals here in the 1800s. People still gather at the Magnolia Bridge on St. John’s Eve.
Commercial use of Bayou St. John declined in the 20th century. Houseboats were outlawed in the 1930s due to sanitation concerns. The Works Progress Administration cleaned up the area. A lock was added near Lake Pontchartrain. The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board temporarily drained the bayou in 1955 to remove debris.
Today, Bayou St. John is a picturesque park. It is a favorite spot for couples. Mardi Gras Indian tribes meet here for their Super Sunday parade. The Lafitte Greenway connects to the bayou.
Bayou St. John is one of the oldest man-made waterways in North America. Native Americans expanded it. The bayou was crucial for trade. It linked Lake Pontchartrain to the Mississippi River. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville chose New Orleans’ location because of Bayou St. John. It was easier to find the lake entrance than the Mississippi’s mouth.
Early Mardi Gras parades used the bayou. Floats traveled by boat. The Old Spanish Custom House and Pitot House are historic landmarks. Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton contributed to jazz culture here. Bayou St. John supports diverse wildlife like birds and alligators.
Next time you’re near Bayou St. John, remember its rich history. It is more than just a pretty spot. It is a vital part of New Orleans.