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The Mistick Krewe of Comus, depicted in this early illustration, became New Orleans' first parading organization in 1857 and rolled nearly every year. One exception was in 1918, when Mardi Gras was canceled due to World War I.
Photo from New Orleans: An Illustrated History
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Photo by Photo from New Orleans: An Illustrated History
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Hey Blake,
I was born and reared in New Orleans, graduated from S.J. Peters in 1944 and went into the service. After I got out in 1946, I moved to Beaumont, Texas.
On April 20, my wife and two sons made a trip to New Orleans to do some repairs on my mother's and dad's graves. While at the hotel we ran across your article about Canal Street. It was different from what I read in The Times-Picayune when living in New Orleans. The story I read was that in 1918 the city was working day and night like crazy to fill in the big ditch, pave it and have it ready for Mardi Gras.
Also, if you could mention if there is anyone left in New Orleans that went to S.J. Peters from 1941-44, I would like to contact them. (8690 Newfield Lane, Beaumont, Texas 77707.)
Tom Floyd
Dear Tom,
You are referring to a question I answered about the origin of Canal Street. Strangely enough, many people believe that there really was a canal where the street is today. But I can assure you, it was only on paper. The plan was to dig a 50-foot canal that would connect the Mississippi River to the turning basin of the Carondelet Canal which led to Bayou St. John and on to Lake Pontchartrain. It was a great idea that never happened. By 1852, the plan was abandoned.
Something else that didn't happen was Mardi Gras in 1918. In fact, for the first time since the Civil War there was no merrymaking and no pageantry. Grim-visaged war -- in this case, World War I -- had caused the cancellation of Mardi Gras.
The Times-Picayune of Feb. 12 was filled with stories relating the fighting in Europe, but one article explained that the big Carnival organizations had agreed not to celebrate this season because the country was at war. Nor would masking be permitted. Major Behrman said that "it might give the nation's enemies an opportunity to work mischief while disguised."
Carnival balls, too, were cancelled for the season as the city demonstrated its support.
Momus and Proteus were quiet, and on Monday before Mardi Gras, Rex did not arrive at the head of Canal Street to be greeted by his subjects. And Comus of the Mistick Krewe, who has brought Carnival season to a close since 1857, had issued a notice in the paper the preceding summer.
"Whereas, War has cast its gloom over our happy homes and care usurped the place where joy is wont to hold its sway. Now, therefore, do I, deeply sympathizing with the general anxiety, deem it proper to withhold your Annual Festival in this goodly Crescent City and by this proclamation do command no assemblage of the Mistick Krewe. Given under my hand this, the 30th day of June, A.D. 1917. 'COMUS'"
This same notice had been issued the first time in March 1862, and there were, in 1917, still some of the older members of the organization who remember the sad occasion that brought it about.
So, Tom, even though there was never a canal on Canal Street, and there was no celebration of Mardi Gras in 1918, there was definitely a Samuel J. Peters School. I hope you hear from many of your classmates.
Hey Blake,
Do you remember a place called the Mayflower Grill? The name was brought up in our conversation recently, but none of us were able to recall the location of the place. Some think it was on Decatur Street and others insist that it was on Canal Street. Can you clear up the argument for us? Lunch at Katie's is riding on the outcome!
Henry Harmison
Dear Henry,
One day on a stroll, I noticed a new establishment at 1000 Canal St. -- the Mayflower Coffee Shop. The year was 1967. As the place looked interesting, I promised myself that I would return.
But you know how it is. There are so many wonderful places to dine in the Crescent City that by the time I returned to partake of the delights of the coffee shop, it had closed. The year was 1973.
