Peeking around the corner a stunning mix of grand mansions and cozy cottages awaits. This is the Uptown Historic District.
Uptown New Orleans welcomes you. It is more than just a neighborhood. It is a journey through time.
Let’s dive into the story of this captivating area. Uptown developed mainly in the 19th century. This happened on land that was once colonial-era plantations. Several sections grew as separate towns. Lafayette, Jefferson City, Greenville and Carrollton were among them.
For much of the 19th century, most of what is now Uptown belonged to Jefferson Parish. New Orleans gradually annexed Lafayette and Carrollton. Other communities were also absorbed. This newly absorbed area became Uptown New Orleans.
Settlers from other parts of the United States came to Uptown. They were joined by immigrants from Italy, Ireland and Germany. Uptown has always had a sizable African American population.
Census data shows ethnically and racially mixed city blocks were common. This was true in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It continues to be the case with much of Uptown.
Historically uptown was a direction. It meant movement against the flow of the Mississippi River. After the Louisiana Purchase, many settlers developed homes here. They built businesses upriver from the older Creole city. Canal Street was the dividing line between Uptown and Downtown. It separated the Francophone area from the Anglophone area.
The federal Uptown New Orleans Historic District has specific boundaries. They are the River to S. Claiborne Avenue and Jackson Avenue to Broadway. Adjacent areas are often called parts of Uptown. These include other federal historic districts. The Garden District and the Irish Channel are examples.
Uptown’s cityscape is unique. It was built along high ground on a bend of the Mississippi. Streets follow the river’s curve. Some run perpendicular to it. This creates a “wheel with spokes” street pattern.
Major roadways echo the river’s crescent. Tchoupitoulas Street is closest to the river. It was once devoted to river shipping commerce. Magazine Street is a major commercial district. It is known for locally owned shops and art galleries. St Charles Avenue is home to the St Charles Avenue streetcar line. It was the city’s “millionaires row” in the 19th century.
Near the upper end of Uptown is Audubon Park. Tulane University and Loyola University are also nearby. They sit on land used for the 1884 World Cotton Centennial.
Notable Uptowners have included jazz musicians. Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson are among them. Writers like Anne Rice also called Uptown home. Football players Peyton and Eli Manning lived here. Even rappers Lil Wayne and Juvenile hail from Uptown.
Most of Uptown had very little flooding from Hurricane Katrina. The area along the riverfront was called “the Sliver by the River.” Magazine Street became a commercial hub after Katrina. Local businesses reopened quickly.
Uptown is not just a place. It’s a resilient community. It is full of history and culture. Take a stroll. Explore its streets. Discover the stories etched into its buildings. Feel the spirit of New Orleans. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.