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In the 1820s, businessman James Caldwell built and operated the American Theater -- the first building in New Orleans to be lighted by gas.
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Photo by From New Orleans: An Illustrated History
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Hey Blake,
Back in the 1920s or early 1930s, there was a huge natural gas tank somewhere in the vicinity of Charity Hospital. It appeared in the newspaper when pictures of the skyline of New Orleans were depicted. Do you have any info on this tank?
Yvonne Songy
Dear Yvonne,
The story of gas in New Orleans goes back to the early 19th century when our first gas plant was built on the location you ask about: between Perdido and Gravier streets and what were then known as St. Marc and St. Marie, now Magnolia and Robertson streets. The man responsible was James H. Caldwell, dubbed New Orleans' "Father of Light."
We were certainly fortunate to have Caldwell come to the Crescent City in 1819. The city was still small then, around 27,000 -- mostly Creoles -- but the American population was increasing rapidly. Caldwell was a 27-year-old Englishman, a member of an English acting troupe, and his arrival proved to be a blessing. He saw great possibilities in the growing city and stayed to become an outstanding businessman who, along with Samuel J. Peters, contributed largely to the boom in the American section. He built theaters, developed real estate and founded the gas business.
In 1822 and '23, Caldwell built his American Theater on Camp Street between Gravier and Poydras. While he was building the theater, Caldwell sent to England for a "gas machine" to provide light for the chandeliers. This magnificent theater was the first building in the city to be lighted with gas, and the gas company that was later formed from Caldwell's imported gas-making machine -- the gas was made from coal -- provided lighting for streets and houses. In fact, gas historians claim that New Orleans was the fourth city in America to have gas, right behind Baltimore, New York and Boston.
In 1833, Caldwell was given the exclusive rights of vending gas lights in New Orleans. The Louisiana Legislature had originally passed an act incorporating the New Orleans Gas Light Company. Caldwell was granted the franchise when the company failed to act. Two years later, he transferred his rights to the New Orleans Gas Light and Banking Company, knowing that he would need banking privileges to get financing for his business enterprises.
Caldwell's first gas plant -- the first commercial gas plant in the Deep South -- was built between 1834 and 1835. There were thick brick walls 12 to 15 feet high and wrought-iron gates that guarded the entrance. The security was deemed necessary because the plant was operated by slaves. Part of the plant included a three-story building that was used as the slaves' quarters. The first floor was their dining room and kitchen. The slave quarters were later torn down and the first floor converted for other purposes.
Caldwell lost his banking privileges in 1845, and his company became the New Orleans Gas Light Company. And in 1849, he acquired a contract and installed a system that introduced gas as a replacement for oil lamps to light up the streets.
Business was good, and Caldwell, who died in 1863, has been called "the architect of fortunes of the second municipality." In addition to his gas company, he was also connected with the New Basin Canal, the New Orleans and Nashville Railroad Company, the New Orleans Water Works, and the St. Charles hotels. However, beginning in 1870, other companies were granted franchises. The first electric company began operating in 1882, and soon there were many companies -- gas, electric and street railways -- operating competing businesses. Eventually, all came together in 1922 with the founding of the New Orleans Public Service Inc. (NOPSI).
The next great moment in the history of gas in New Orleans came in 1928. In August at a grand ceremony, city and company officials joined to welcome natural gas. The first customers of NOPSI were about 8,000 Carrollton residents.
The location of Caldwell's first gas plant remained for years as the Gas Distribution Department of NOPSI and is today the site of Entergy offices. On Poydras Street across from the Superdome, you can see Caldwell's original wrought-iron gates.
