Louisiana Division
New Orleans Public Library
Odd Bits in the Louisiana Division's Collections
This is a collection of stray notes about bits and pieces of information to be found in the nooks and crannies of the Louisiana Division. Some of these items were called to our attention by users of the collections, while others are things that staff members ran across while in pursuit of other, usually unrelated, bits of information. This page provides the staff with a place to store these bits of knowledge and a way to share them with potential users. If you are interested in seeing the materials referred to hereunder, contact Wayne Everard or Irene Wainwright in the Louisiana Division. We'll be adding new bits to this list from time to time.

  • Attached to an application for a marriage license in 1860 is an affidavit noting that the prospective bride, a young white woman, had been raised by a free woman of color (in VEF678 12/16/1860).

  • Among the reports of the Captain of the Day Police and Night Watch (Second Municipality) on February 26, 1842 is the record of the arrest of Felix Piquery and P. Russell. They were arrested along with a number of slaves at 2 am, accused of "unlawful assemblage, fiddling and dancing." Piquery had on his person a clarinet and Russell had a violin.

  • The suit record in the case of Rogers vs. the Bank of the U.S. [Commercial Court #4160] contains a manuscript letter from Nicholas Biddle in Philadelphia to Lewis Rogers in New York (October 7, 1837)

  • The suit record in the case of Walton & Co. vs. Dakin & Dakin [Parish Court #12602] contains detailed bills for materials used in building the Louisiana State Arsenal on St. Peter St. during the 1830s

  • The suit record in the case of H.C. Warmoth vs. P.B.S. Pinchback [Superior District Court #820] contains a manuscript letter written and signed by Pinchback.

  • The suit record in the 1837 case of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna vs. J. Brent Clark [First Judicial District Court #13532] contains a manuscript letter written by Santa Anna.

  • The suit record in the case of Peter Lefebvre vs. Rene Beluche [City Court #3427] contains records of goods supplied by Lefebvre to Beluche of "the privateer schooner Spy."

  • The suit record in the case of L. Volta vs. James H. Caldwell [City Court #185] contains lists of music copied by Volta for Caldwell's Italian Opera Company in New Orleans during the mid-1830s

  • The suit record in the case of Vannier vs. Horatio Davis [City Court #16311] contains several manuscript letters (in French) from Vannier to Davis dealing with dealing with Vannier's position teaching French to Davis's children in the late 1830s

  • The suit record in the case of John J. Audubon vs. Wilson, Bowen & Co. [Parish Court #2157] contains documents signed by Audubon

  • The suit record in the case of A.A. Cohen vs. Pierre Davis [Third District Court #349] contains the contract between Davis and Cohen's daughter Sarah, a minor, to dance at the American Theatre during the 1840s

  • The suit record in the case of R.S. Green vs. James H. Caldwell [City Court #474] contains a list of performances at the Orleans Theatre during the year 1822

  • The suit record in the case of J. A. Freyer vs. Louisiana State Marine and Fire Insurance Co. [First Judicial District Court #18197] contains letters, inventory of loss, insurance policy, etc. relative to a fire (1839) at the corner of Royal and Toulouse Streets, apparently affecting both a dry goods store and a residence.

  • Suit record in the Succession of James W. Reeve [Civil District Court #19666] includes an inventory of Blackwater (later Belmont) Plantation near St. Francisville, bills for goods used on the property (from merchants in New Orleans and St. Louis), and two contracts with freedmen to work on the plantation (contracts include names, ages, and other information on each person). The record was transferred from Second District Court (#28614) where it had been filed originally in 1866.

  • Photographs of the intersection of Metairie Road and the New Basin Canal in 1946. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1946/4/2).

  • Map, 1943, showing land use along the lake front in Orleans Parish, including military installations. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1944/12/20).

  • Site plan and plans for representative buildings in the Mirabeau Manor Apartments in the 1900 block of Mirabeau Ave. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1940/2/15).

  • Map, 1942, showing ownership of property and the physical environment of Chef Menteur Highway up to Bayou Sauvage. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1942/1/20).

  • The August, 1942 number of Southern Fisherman (a New Orleans publication). In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1942/10/23).

  • Consideration of a permanent location for the "Streetcar named Desire" (including New Orleans Public Service's part in the project and plans to use it as a tourist information center). In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1966/6/7).

  • Photographs of the intersection of South Claiborne and South Carrollton, ca. 1956, prior to the construction of the new K&B drugstore. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1956 #43/56).

  • Photographs of the 1100 block of Esplanade Ave., ca. 1958, showing buildings on the uptown side of the street, including the now-demolished #1120. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1958 #4/58).

  • Photographs of the intersection of Magazine Street and Henry Clay Avenue, ca. 1959, showing buildings formerly on the site of the Henry Clay Apartments. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1959 #3/59).

  • Photograph of L. Gandolini's horse drawn hot waffle wagon. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1959 #36/59).

  • Photographs of the Mecca Theater, 721 Adams St. (now demolished). In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1959 #26/59).

  • Photographs of the Texas Pacific-Missouri Pacific passenger station on Annunciation St. and surrounding properties. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1960 #56/60).

  • Photograph of the intersection of South Claiborne and Napoleon Avenues, ca. 1961, prior to construction of the National American Bank. Also a photo of the Beacon Restaurant across Napoleon. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1966 #26/66).

  • Photographs of the Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Family (Bourbon and Orleans), ca. 1962, prior to construction of the Bourbon-Orleans Hotel. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300z 1962 #48/62).

  • Photographs of the interior of Langenstein's on Arabella St., ca. 1957. In City Planning Commission minute book (AQ300 1947/8/21).

  • The suit record in the succession of Joseph Avet [Civil District Court #15442] contains documents relating to the importation, insuring, transportation, and storage of coffee in New Orleans during the 1870s.

  • The suit record in the succession of Alexander Milne (Civil District Court #35904--see flattened records box 15, folders 1 and ff) contains a substantial amount of material relating to suits involving the city of New Orleans and funding for the Milne Municipal Boys Home. Included are several documents dealing with the operations of the institution.

  • The suit record in Ball Electric Light Co. vs Enterprise Construction Co. [Civil District Court #39987--see flattened records box 15] includes a minute book for the latter firm for the years 1891-1893 (15 pages).

  • There is a "map of the settled portion of New Orleans" in the Daily Picayune, December 5, 1909 (p. 4). Thanks to Mary White for this bit!

Return to Fact Finder

Back to Nutrias Home

Updated 7/29/2002--we