What was located at the area we now call Armstrong Park? Was it a park prior to that? And what was it prior to that?

Bruce

Dear Bruce,

Armstrong Park was created to honor one of New Orleans' favorite sons -- Louis Armstrong. The idea was first suggested after Satchmo died in New York on July 6, 1971.

However, during the development of the park, about 400 families in the historic Treme neighborhood were displaced. Residents who were there in the 1960s remember when Interstate 10 ripped through their neighborhood. They remember the people, homes and businesses that were cleared to make way for Armstrong Park. There were also several important jazz sites that were lost during that time.

I'll begin the story of the park's location about 200 years ago.

In 1804, Fort St. Ferdinand, one of the forts that protected the city, was demolished. This left open space and most of the land was incorporated into the City Commons. In this area, there was also a square of land referred to as Circus Place, also known as Congo Square. It was popular even before 1800 as a place where slaves gathered on Sunday. There was a law stating that "slaves must be free to enjoy Sundays, or they were to be paid fifty cents a day if they worked." By 1817, a city ordinance allowed slaves to assemble only for the purpose of games and dances, funerals, or worship. This was only tolerated on Sundays and only in open public places appointed by the mayor. The use of the area declined in the 1840s.

When the Place d'Armes was renamed Jackson Square in 1851, Congo Square became the new Place d'Armes, and, like the first square, was used for military drill. March 24, 1893 saw the square renamed again. This time it became Beauregard Square in honor of P.G.T. Beauregard, the recently deceased Civil War hero.

A major addition to the area came in 1929, when the Municipal Auditorium was built. It was dedicated to the memory of the heroes of World War I.

From then on, there were numerous attempts to build a cultural center in the area surrounding and including the auditorium and Beauregard Square. But it wasn't until 1961 that the city reacquired -- with urban renewal funds from the federal government -- the area from the City Commons extending from the Basin-Orleans Connection, St. Philip Street, and North Rampart to North Villere streets. The proposed project was to construct five buildings to be used for cultural activities.

And the decree went out: "Let the clearance begin."

To the City Planning Commission, the area may have looked like a slum, but they were planning to destroy homes, businesses and 150 years of living history.

There was, however, by 1965, money available for the relocation of the residents. A relocation office was established; tenants were made aware of the changes by leaflets, booklets and notices. Help was supposed to be given to enable residents to find suitable replacement housing and mortgage financing and get moving expenses. Businesses were also to be aided in their reestablishment. But 70 percent of the citizens didn't receive the booklets, and many didn't understand them. There was much confusion, and many felt victimized.

After a year or so, the houses were torn down, but construction didn't begin until 1971. The Center for the Performing Arts was completed in 1973 for $8 million, while the rest of the cleared site remained empty. But there were grand plans.

City officials decided that the rest of the area next to the auditorium and the Performing Arts Center and Beauregard Square could be developed as a tribute to the great musician.

Finally, it was in 1974 that the City Council authorized $8.2 million for the development and improvement of the entire 31 acres owned by the city. And shortly thereafter, all was enclosed by a concrete and steel fence.