I've always wondered about the significance of the golden statue of Joan of Arc astride her horse in the French Market. All the buggy drivers tell the tourists that she's the "Maid of New Orleans." Now, Joan of Arc was my childhood heroine, and I know she was called the Maid of Orleans -- pronounced "Or-Lee-On" -- named after her birthplace in France. Why is she referred to as the "Maid of New Orleans" here? Joan of Arc fought to save France from the English and was captured by the English and burned at the stake in 1431. New Orleans wasn't established until 1718. So what's the connection? I always assumed it was someone's blatant error. Please set the record straight.

Carol H.

Dear Carol,

I'm sure the buggy drivers are not intentionally trying to mislead the tourists.

As you know, Louisiana was claimed by Sieur de la Salle in 1682 in the name of Louis XIV. And New Orleans was founded by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, who founded La Nouvelle Orleans in 1718 and named it in honor of the Regent of France, Philippe, Duc d'Orleans. So we have a very strong French connection indeed.

When Charles de Gaulle came here on a state visit in 1959, he presented the statue of Joan of Arc to the City of New Orleans as a gift from the people of France. It is an exact replica of an original that stands in Orleans, France.

On Nov. 14, 1999, French Ambassador to the United States Francois Bujon de l'Estang was present for the dedication of New Orleans' new Place de France. He gave a stirring speech about the role Joan of Arc played in France and her importance as a symbol for the French people. He also spoke of the common heritage that we share and the long and deep relationship between America and France.

He concluded his address this way: "Mr. Mayor, in the name of the French authorities, allow me to express to you and to the people of New Orleans our most profound gratitude for returning France and France's greatest national heroine to the heart of the city, and for giving us this wonderful occasion to celebrate once again the importance of the historical links, as well as the long-standing links of affection, that unite France and the City of New Orleans and that unite our two nations. Vive la France! Vive les Etats-Unis d'Amerique! Vive l'Amitie Franco-Americaine!"

Hey Blake,

I read where you say the Desire Streetcar is no longer on display and is in the transit station needing repairs. I was in New Orleans in the summer of 1986, and it was on display near the mint. I just returned for a visit with my teenage children and wanted to show them the car and could not find it. Everyone I asked, including a policeman, didn't know what happened to it. When was the car removed from display outside the mint? Can you give me the month and the year?

Tim Goss from Ohio

Dear Tim,

The streetcar was removed from the Old U.S. Mint in January 1992.

It was a happy day in February 1967 when the Desire Streetcar No. 453 was presented at a ceremony to the Louisiana Tourist Development Commission by New Orleans Public Service Inc. (NOPSI). The streetcar had been in service from 1906 to 1935 before it was retired and used to train motormen at the Napoleon Avenue Training School.

Then, luckily for tourists and locals alike, the well-known streetcar was reconditioned by the craftsmen in NOPSI's Carrollton shop and was put on display in the 1000 block of Decatur Street in the area now occupied by the Flea Market.

About 10 years after the streetcar went on display, it was moved from the French Market to the grounds of the mint.