 |
|
By the time the work is finished, New Orleans will have spent nearly $150 million over several years to replace its Canal Street streetcar line.
|
Hey Blake,
The streetcars are on their way back to Canal Street. But who was responsible for taking them off in 1964? Are any of those responsible still alive, and, if so, where are they?
Bill Clark
Dear Bill,
You sound a little miffed. Many citizens were very miffed about 40 years ago. But just think; soon, for about $147 million, we will get our Canal streetcars back.
In August 1963, the City Council passed an ordinance 6-1 allowing New Orleans Public Service Inc. to remove the streetcars from Canal Street. During these tumultuous times, Victor Schiro was mayor, and the members of the City Council were Joseph Dirosa, James Fitzmorris, John Petre, Clarence Dupuy, Daniel Kelly, Walter Marcus and Henry Curtis. Some of these gentlemen -- perhaps I shouldn't say who -- are still with us and still living in New Orleans.
It was the second attempt by NOPSI in two years to remove the streetcars from Canal Street. A city council survey claimed that 70 percent of the citizens wanted buses.
Almost immediately a group -- Streetcars Desired Inc. -- fought back. The group of outraged citizens, led by president Rita Legrand, tried to force the issue to a city referendum by getting large numbers of voters to sign a petition. However, in those days, the city charter did not allow for propositions to be put on the ballot by petition. There was also a series of hearings. Mrs. Legrand, a leading streetcar advocate, declared, "I think streetcars are vital to New Orleans not only as a tourist attraction but to transport people to and from work without jeopardizing their health."
In spite of all efforts, May 31, 1964, saw the last streetcar on Canal Street.
At 3:37 a.m., Car No. 958 began the last full run from the cemeteries terminal. Then Car No. 972, freshly painted bright blue on the inside by NOPSI and bearing banners on each side reading "See me on St. Charles," made a partial Canal Street run. At 5:10 a.m. it reached the intersection at St. Charles. Most of the large group of passengers got off. And as the streetcar turned onto St. Charles Avenue, Mrs. Legrand placed a wreath of gladioli on the neutral ground. It read "Canal Streetcars ... Gone, but not forever."
Hey Blake,
I was taking some out-of-town visitors to the French Market, and they wanted to know if we had any more like it anywhere else in the city. I told them we used to, but they are all gone. Am I right?
Eloise
Dear Eloise,
Yes, my dear, I'm afraid you are. There were once lovely markets -- both public and private -- like the open-air market in the French Quarter.
While the French Market has existed on the same site since 1791, as the city expanded, so did the need for places where folks could "make groceries." The first public market built after the French Market was in New Orleans' first suburb -- Faubourg St. Mary. Erected in 1828 and aptly named the St. Mary Market, it was located on the median between North and South Diamond streets near the present Convention Center. As population grew in the new Faubourg, another market followed 10 years later -- the Poydras market on the median between Baronne and South Rampart. These markets were very successful and other businesses set up shop in these neighborhoods also. In fact, by the 1860s, Poydras Street was a serious shopping district.
Soon there were markets everywhere, usually named for their locations: Dryades, Annunciation, Magazine, Claiborne, Ninth, Soraparu, St. Bernard, Treme, Washington and Prytania, to name only a few. One especially fine market was the Ewing Market, which opened in 1907 at the corner of Magazine and Octavia streets.
However, in 1946, the city decided to sell or lease all 16 of its public retail markets. Of course, it kept the French Market for its "historic value."
Today, though, we are lucky to have the Crescent City Farmers Markets on Magazine Street, Broadway and Orleans Avenue. Although they are open only for a few hours on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, they are a welcome addition to our community. Look for me. I'm a frequent customer.
