Has anyone ever told you how New Orleans whispers secrets in hidden corners? Coliseum Square is one such corner. Nestled in the Lower Garden District, Coliseum Square isn’t just a park. It’s a time capsule. It’s the heart of a neighborhood dreamt up by Barthélémy Lafon, a French architect who envisioned a grand, classical-style community upriver from the Vieux Carré. Lafon designed Coliseum Square in 1806 as the centerpiece of this new faubourg. He imagined a vibrant hub of social and intellectual life, anchored by a Roman-style coliseum. The coliseum never materialized, but the name stuck. Coliseum Square today occupies three acres, a triangular green space surrounded by streets named after the nine Muses of Greek mythology. Imagine Lafon standing here, surveying the swampy land. He designed two tree-lined canals to drain the area, canals that later became the streets bordering the park. He envisioned water oaks, tallow, and China trees gracing the landscape. Over the years, Coliseum Square evolved. In 1895, improvements brought curbing, fountains linked by curved paths, a fish pond, and elegant circular basins. The Lower Garden District Association, originally the Coliseum Square Association, has been instrumental in preserving this special place. Their efforts culminated in the restoration of the Lafon fountain, a tribute to the neighborhood’s architect and the late preservationist Howard Schmaltz. Today, you can stroll along the paths, admire the fountain, and imagine the ghosts of New Orleans’ past swirling around you. The park is a beloved spot for locals and their dogs, a place to relax, enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate the beauty of the historic homes that frame this unique square. Coliseum Square invites you to soak in the atmosphere, a blend of history, nature, and the enduring spirit of New Orleans.
Greater Saint Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church
Established 82 years ago this is Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. It began in Uptown New Orleans with