• First Municipality Surveyor's Office.
  • Records, 1837-1852.
• Second Municipality Surveyor's Office.
  • Records, 1836-1852.
• Surveyor's Office.
  • Records, 1833-1890.
• Street Commissioner's Office.
  • Records, 1852-1863.
• Board of Commissioners of the First Drainage District.
  • Treasurer's check book, 1860-1891.
• City Auctioneer.
  • Plan books for the First Municipal District, 1860-1869.

Records, 1837-1852.

10 v.

By ordinance of May 17, 1836, the First Municipality Council provided for a civil engineer to oversee the various public works within the boundaries of the municipality. A new ordinance, passed on January 30, 1837, established an "office of public works and Surveyor's department," to consist of the Surveyor, a deputy, a clerk for the office, and "other officers or persons employed in the attributes of said department," all under the control of the Surveyor. The Surveyor was required to furnish security in the amount of $20,000 for the faithful performance of his duties. Among those employed by his office were superintendents of the carts and of the works; a store keeper; a carpenter and two assistants; several overseers; and a paver.

The duties of the office were specified in the 1836 law and in subsequent ordinances. They included directing the construction and/or repair of public buildings; reporting defective private buildings; making plans for levelling levees, streets, and sidewalks; and superintending construction and/or repair of levees and wharves. The Surveyor also appears to have been responsible in general for the work that had been specified for the City Surveyor in ordinances passed prior to 1836.

The Council was quite precise in its requirements for record keeping by the Surveyor and with respect to his reports. The ordinances suggest that many more record books were kept by the Surveyor's Office than have survived in this collection.

The records are manuscript volumes in French. They are arranged in series as described below.

Daybooks of public works performed, 1837-1843 (KG410, 4 v.) --
includes essentially the same type of information provided by the recapitulation records, but on a daily basis rather than in summary form. In some cases additional detail is given on specific projects. To paraphrase a sample entry: February 6, 1841 -- 14 chain gang blacks working at the new cemetery making graves. At the end of each month the reports are certified by the superintendent of the works.

Recapitulations of employment on the public works, 1843-1846 (KG415, 2 v.) --
daily records of the work performed on various public work projects by different classes of workers. The works include wharves, maintenance of public property and levees, paving, bridges, planting trees, cleaning streets and markets, drainage, and work on the public schools. The amount of such works done by white day laborers, black day laborers, and by blacks on the chain gang are listed separately, along with the number of carts used in the various works.

Journal of expenditures for public works, 1850-1852 (KG440, 1 v.) --
each entry gives the date, name of payee, the public works account charged for payment, and the amount paid. Included are records of many payments for work performed in the revitalization of Jackson Square during 1851. Among the elements of this revitalization are placement of the four marble statues, erection of the iron fence, and planting of a variety of trees (a detailed list of the number of each species, with costs, appears on March 5).

Ledger of expenditures for public works, 1839-1852 (KG470, 2 v.) --
expenses for various public works are listed together under a heading for each account. Each entry gives the date of payment, the person to whom payment was made, and the amount paid. There are also references to numbered certificates, apparently for work done by contract with private individuals.

Statements of the employment rolls for the public works, 1839- 1843 (KG480, 1 v.) --
gives the names of individual workers and the number of hours worked each day, along with the amount paid based on a set salary for each class of laborer and/or each category of work. In the case of black workers, the names of their masters are also given. The records are certified monthly by the superintendent of the works. Also included are records of the number of carts employed in the public works and the payments due for their service. This data certified by the superintendent of carts.

These volumes were previously cataloged as records of the Department of Public Works. It appears from the ordinances, however, that the Department of Public Works was a fiscal office responsible for the collection and disbursement of money in certain categories (actually the office was that of the Treasury of the Department of Public Works, not an actual Public Works Department). These records, however, appear to have been maintained by the Surveyor's Office to record payments due for the public works rather than documents from the Treasurer of the Department of Public Works who would have made the actual payments. The presence of the aforementioned certifications by the superintendent of the works, an employee of the Surveyor's Office, would appear to bear out this interpretation.

The records are available on three rolls of 35mm microfilm, see the following inventory for roll numbers.

Inventory

[mf roll #89-274]

KG410
1839-1843

Daybooks of public works performed, 1839-1843.

v. 1 February 1, 1837 - March 31, 1838
[NOTE: there is no page 47 nor pages 338-339 in the original volume]

v. 2 June 1, 1839 - March 31, 1841

v. 3 April 1, 1841 - August 31, 1842
[NOTE: there is no page 269 in the original volume]

v. 4 September 1, 1842 - September 30, 1843

[mf roll #89-275]

KG415
1843-1846

Recapitulations of employment on the public works, 1843-1846.

v. 1 October, 1843 - September, 1846

v. 2 October, 1846 - October, 1849

[mf roll #89-276]

KG440
1850-1852

Journal of expenditures for public works, 1850-1852.

June 24, 1850 - April 3, 1852

KG470
1839-1850

Ledger of expenditures for public works, 1839-1852.

v. 1 1839-1850

v. 2 1850-1852

KG480
1839-1843

Statements of the employment rolls for public works, 1839-1843.

June, 1839 - July, 1843

Go back to the Public Property and Public Works Records Menu

KG
2nd Mun

New Orleans (La.) Second Municipality Surveyor's Office.

Records, 1836-1852.

33 v.

The Second Municipality Council, on May 12, 1836, passed an ordinance allowing that body annually to appoint a "suitable person" as Surveyor. He was to keep his office in the Municipal Hall. All of his plans and other records were to be kept in that office. The Surveyor was to take an oath of office before the Mayor, and was also required to give bond in the amount of $10,000 for the faithful performance of his duties and to "secure the Municipality against any claims or injury that may arise" from any neglect of duty, etc.

The law also required the Surveyor to establish the official lines of city lots, streets, and sidewalks and to report anyone working on buildings or sidewalks without having first had such official lines established. He was also given the responsibility for supervising public works in the municipality; supervising the cart drivers, etc. employed by the municipality; and making plans, estimates, surveys, etc. as required by the Mayor and Council. The Surveyor also oversaw the execution of building ordinances, laws governing street names and numbers, and the planting of trees on public streets and squares.

The records are in manuscript volumes, arranged in series and described below:

Reports of work performed by the carpenters and laborers hired by the Surveyor's Office, 1836-1837 (KG206c, 1 v.)

reports on carpenter work on bridges and planking over gutters; on public buildings, such as guard houses and markets; on wharves; and on lamp stands. Also includes pasted-in clippings of debates on the drainage ordinance in 1871 and on street railways in 1880.

Ordinances relative to the Surveyor's Department, 1836-1843 (KG310, 1 v.)

manuscript copies of ordinances, along with resolutions, reports, and communications bearing on the operations of the department.

Record of reimbursements for sidewalk paving, 1836-1852 (KG360p, 4 v.)

each entry gives date, name of property owner, type of material used in paving, location, measurement of street frontage, the cost of the paving, and the amount to be reimbursed to the property owner. Some records also give the date that the work was performed and others give the date that the Surveyor certified the line and level of the sidewalk. Volume 1 (1836-1841) is indexed by street name. Volumes 3 and 4 (1844-1852) are made up of printed forms with manuscript entries. There are some gaps in the series, as well as some overlap.

Record of measurements of buildings and walls, 1836-1838 (KG410m, 1 v.)

gives cubic footage of brick work in walls, foundations, chimneys, and decorative parts of ten houses or party walls in the municipality. Also measures plaster work in eleven houses.

Record of curb and gutter stone sold by the municipality and laid by contractors, 1844-1845 (KG410s, 1 v.)

gives dates and measurements of each type of stone sold to various contractors, along with dates, measurements, and locations at which the stone was laid.

Payrolls of carts and laborers, 1847-1851 (KG480, 1 v.)

reported at the end of each month. Includes names of cart owners/laborers, rate of pay, amount of time worked, and total payment due. Each month's record is certified by the Surveyor. Some records also give additional detail on the position held by the worker and/or the project that he worked on.

Letter Books, 1836-1851 (KG511, 4 v.)

manuscript copies of letters sent to the Mayor, other public officials, private citizens, and private institutions (v. 3, 1840-1844, letters appear to be all addressed to public officials). Includes such matters as notices to contractors of unacceptable procedures; reports on drainage, the condition of buildings, machinery, and canals, etc.; recommendations for sewerage; and reports on city properties, levee breaks, nuisance wharves, public markets, unsafe buildings, and charter recommendations. Letters recorded in volume two, 1836-1837, are copies of communications addressed to the various ward commissaries for the municipality, generally informing them of nuisances and other problems requiring their attention. An example, from July 30, 1836: "The attention of the Commissary of the Third Ward is called to an abominable nuisance that exists in or near Triton St. below Hercules St. -- consisting of a large number of dead animals in a state of putrification."

Memorandums and communications left for the Surveyor, 1851- 1852 (KG512, 1 v.)

book in which commissaries of the various wards and other concerned citizens left messages for the attention of the Surveyor. Among the works requested are repairs to engine houses, sidewalks, and bridges, and for wall measurements.

Memorandums and communications left for the carpenter, 1849- 1850

mostly calling his attention to bridges in need of repair. An example, from the commissary of the Fifth Ward on January 26, 1850: "The carpenter will please forthwith put a new top on the bridge at the intersection of Commerce and Notre Dame Streets."

Record of bills for street and sidewalk paving, 1848-1850 (KG540, 2 v.)

arranged chronologically, with street paving records also grouped by paving project. The records give name of contractor, name of property owners, locations, measurements of paving and of curbs and gutters laid. Street projects are accompanied by plat drawings showing individual lots, with property owners and measurements identified. Inserted into volume 2 (1850-1852) are copies of the actual bills issued to property owners.

Record of charges made for surveys, plans, etc., 1837. (KG540s, 1 v.)

arranged into accounts by property owner (only seven accounts recorded). Gives date and nature of work performed (i.e., surveys, plans, lines and levels, etc.). A sample entry, under Joseph D. Baldwin, September 1, 1837: To plan made of S. Henderson's cotton press situated between Henderson, Robin, New Levee, and Front Streets -- $25.

Orders on the Comptroller for approved bills, 1844-1851 (KG541, 2 v.)

records payments due for municipal contracts. Lists contractor, work performed on wharves, levees, public buildings, street cleaning, engine house construction, etc., and the amount of payment due. Includes payments for supplies/equipment furnished as well. Some records also give reference to the Council appropriation for the expenditure and/or to the account to be charged for the expenditure. A sample, dated June 9, 1846:

To W.S. Jones
For 1 brass lock $1
For repairs to iron railing of Lafayette Square
$25

Descriptions of properties fronting on streets paved, 1844-1846 (KG543p, 1 v.)

legal descriptions of lots with lot numbers, frontage and depth, names of owners, and amount due for paving. Possibly used to compile paving bills.

Record of bills for street paving, 1844-1851 (KG548p, 1 v.)

lists date, name of property owner, description of property with measurements, and the amount of payment due. Covers projects on thirty-three streets, roughly from Julia to Felicity.

Surveys of lots and squares in the municipality, 1848 (KG601, 1 v.)

Letter press copies of sketches showing property lines, with owners, locations, and dimensions indicated.

Plan books, 1852 (KG620, 6 v.)

oversized volumes, one for each of the seven wards (the book for the sixth ward is missing, however). At the front of each volume is an index map of the ward with a key referring the user to the proper sheet for each square of land within the ward (the volume for ward one also have a two-page map of the entire municipality). Each sheet contains a plat of an individual square, showing lot subdivisions, with measurements and names of property owners indicated. In addition to the names of property owners, in many cases a date of last act of sale for the lot, sometimes with the sale price, is also recorded.

Certificates for surveys made at the request of property owners, 1844-1846 (KG650, 1 v.)

each record gives the date, name of property owner, location of property, measurements of property, nature of the survey, and name of officer making the survey. Some also indicate the fee charged and some record payment of the fee. At least two are accompanied by sketch plans. The volume is indexed by name of property owner.

Extracts of sales, 1843-1849 (KG690, 2 v.)

copies of deeds, probably abstracted from acts of sale or copied directly from the register of conveyances, for properties sold in the municipality. The arrangement is roughly chronological by date of sale, but copies may have been made when information on ownership of a specific property was needed by the Surveyor's Office. The dates listed are the dates recorded on the spine of each volume; sales recorded in each, however, date from 1810-1848 for volume one and from 1829-1849 for volume two. Marginal notes indicate the streets on which subject properties were located, along with the names of the vendor and vendee involved in the transaction.

Schedules of assessment and appraisement for the opening and widening of streets, 1837-1840 (KG801, 2 v.)

includes copies of petitions, Council resolutions, approvals by the Mayor, proofs of publication of advertisement of the proposed actions, references to court cases to authorize the actions (with names of individuals appointed as commissioners), lists of property owners, and certifications by the Surveyor and the Recorder of Mortgages. The lists of property owners include property descriptions and appraised value of their holdings. In some cases the treatment of improvements located on the properties is also indicated. Volume two contains only three records, none of which appear to be complete. The records in these volumes may be copies from documents in the Mortgage Office.

Inventory

[mf roll #89-318]

KG206c
1836-1837

Reports of work performed by the carpenters and laborers hired by the Surveyor's Office, 1836-1837.

June, 1836 - October, 1837

KG310
1836-1843

Ordinances relative to the Surveyor's Department, 1836-1843.

[NOTE: there is no page 215 in the original volume]

KG360p
1836-1852

Reimbursements for sidewalk paving, 1836-1852.

v. 1 June 30, 1836 - January 26, 1841

v. 2 April 30, 1841 - May 26, 1843

v. 3 June 27, 1844 - September 8, 1848

[mf roll #89-319]

v. 4 December 11, 1847 - February 18, 1852

KG410m
1836-1838

Record of measurements of buildings and walls, 1836-1838.

November 19, 1836 - June 12, 1838

KG410s
1844-1845

Record of curb and gutter stone sold by the municipality and laid by contractors, 1844-1845.

KG480
1847-1851

Payrolls of carts and laborers, 1847-1851.

May, 1847 - September, 1851

KG511
1836-1851

Letter books, 1836-1851.

v. 1 June 1, 1836 - June 19, 1843

v. 2 June 16, 1836 - July 7, 1837

v. 3 June 23, 1840 - March 22, 1844

[mf roll #89-320]

v. 4 June 3, 1844 - May 24, 1851

KG512
1851-1852

Memorandums and communications left for the Surveyor, 1851-1852.

March 3, 1851 - May 8, 1852

KG512c
1849-1850

Memorandums and communications left for the carpenter, 1849-1850.

April 6, 1849 - August 9, 1850

KG540
1848-1850

Record of bills for street and sidewalk paving, 1848-1850.

v. 1 December 22, 1848 - June 21, 1850

v. 2 June 21, 1850 - April 10, 1852
[NOTE: there are no pages 105-114 in the original volume]

KG540s
1837

Record of charges made for surveys, plans, etc., 1837.

KG541
1844-1851

Orders on the Comptroller for approved bills, 1844-1851.

v. 1 May 14, 1844 - February 27, 1849

[mf roll #89-321]

v. 2 March 2, 1849 - January 23, 1851

KG543p
1844-1846

Descriptions of properties fronting on streets paved, 1844-1846.

June 25, 1844 - December 29, 1846

KG548p
1844-1851

Record of bills for street paving, 1844-1851.

KG601
1848

Surveys of lots and squares in the municipality, 1848.

August - September, 1848

[NOTE: The following six volumes are on mf roll #82-100]

KG620
1852

Plan books, 1852.

v. 1 First Ward

v. 2 Second Ward

v. 3 Third Ward

v. 4 Fourth Ward

v. 5 Fifth Ward

v. 6 Seventh Ward

KG650
1844-1846

Certificates for surveys made at the request of property owners, 1844-1846.

May 27, 1844 - October 6, 1846

KG690
1843-1849

Extracts of sales, 1843-1849.

v. 1 1843-1847

v. 2 1843-1849

KG801
1837-1840

Schedules of assessment and appraisement for the opening and widening of streets, 1837-1840.

v. 1 April 20, 1837 - October 12, 1840

v. 2 1838

Go back to the Public Property and Public Works Records Menu

KG
1833-1890

New Orleans (La.) Surveyor's Office.

Records, 1833-1890

87 v.

The Mayor was authorized by the Conseil de Ville to appoint a civil engineer or surveyor to be at his disposal as "required for the public services" on March 20, 1805. It was not until 1817, however, that the Council passed an ordinance establishing the duties of that office. That law required the Surveyor to establish the official lines of city lots, streets, and sidewalks and to report anyone working on buildings or sidewalks without having first had such official lines established. He was also given the responsibility for supervising public works in the city; supervising the cart drivers, etc. employed by the city; and making plans, estimates, surveys, etc. as required by the Mayor and Council. The Surveyor also oversaw the execution of building ordinances, laws governing street names and numbers, and the planting of trees on public streets and squares.

The Surveyor was appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council. In 1831 the Mayor was further authorized to appoint, with Council approval, two Deputy Surveyors, one to keep an office in the Faubourg Marigny and the other in Faubourg St. Mary.

The 1836 city charter did not provide for a City Surveyor but each of the three municipalities provided for such an officer to oversee the public works within its boundaries. With consolidation of the city in 1852, the new charter included the Surveyor as one of the municipal officers and required that he furnish the council with all of the plans, estimates, etc. pertaining to his office and that he superintend the public works.

In 1856 ordinance #2957 organized the Surveyor's Department, consisting of the Surveyor, two deputies, one clerk, and two chain carriers. The ordinance called for the careful keeping of the office's records and required that the office be open to the public daily. Among the duties of the Surveyor were included to transcribe in the plan books all changes of ownership of real estate as recorded in the registers of conveyances. Other laws commanded the Surveyor to keep records of, and report to the Council, contracts for public works, personnel and vehicles employed in public works, and materials purchased for use in public works. In 1869, ordinance 1360 made it the responsibility of the Surveyor, jointly with the Council Committee on Streets and Landings, to provide for the security of and repairs to the levees and draining machines.

As the nineteenth century proceeded the Surveyor was called upon to perform an increasingly complex array of municipal services. He was not only the city architect, engineer, and public safety officer, but functioned as well as local health inspector and city planner. He recommended to the Mayor and Council those public works needed by the city, and estimated their costs. In fulfilling the responsibilities of his office the Surveyor appears to have kept an increasingly complex set of records. These included, but were not limited to, ledgers of expenditures, records of construction, lists/maps of property owners, pro-rata assessments on property owners for paving projects, and certificates for the completion of public works projects.

The 1870 city charter called for the election, by the Council, of the Surveyor for a two year term and of up to four deputies. The 1882 charter extended the Surveyor's term to four years and also required three years experience as a Civil Engineer prior to his election. That law also permitted the Council annually to elect up to seven Deputy Surveyors, "skilled in their profession."

Act #93 of the 1890 state legislature among other things made the Surveyor's Office part of the newly created City Engineer's Office. This change was "ratified" by the new city charter of 1896. Records of the Surveyor after 1890 are thus included in and described as records of the City Engineer.

The records are manuscript volumes grouped into series by type and/or area of responsibility reflected therein. Those series are as follows:

Building Permits, 1883-1887 (1 v.)

Catalogs and Inventories, 1856-1888 (3 v.)

Correspondence, 1853-1890 (26 v.)

Financial Records, 1852-1889 (5 v.)

Miscellaneous Records, 1865-1874 (3 v.)

Ordinances, 1852-1890 (2 v.)

Paving Records, 1852-1878 (11 v.)

Payroll Records, 1852-1862 (2 v.)

Plan Books, 1855-1874 (10 v.)

Reports, 1854-1890 (2 v.)

Specifications and Estimates, 1855-1890 (12 v.)

Surveys and Measurements, 1852-1878 (9 v.)

The remainder of this description includes the pre-1862 records only; descriptions of the remaining records are included in a separate inventory. That inventory, moreover, is prefaced by a good descriptive overview of the nature of the Surveyor's duties and responsibilities during the nineteenth century.

Correspondence

Outgoing Correspondence, 1853-1863 (KG510, 2 v.) -- Copies of letters dealing with such matters as drainage; the condition of buildings, machinery, and canals; city property; levee breaks; nuisance wharves; street openings; public buildings; and public works in general.

Financial Records

Orders on the Comptroller's Office for approved bills, 1852-1863 (KG541, 2 v.) -- affidavits for payment due on large municipal contracts. Lists contractors, work performed on wharves, levees, public buildings, street cleaning, and engine house construction. Includes orders for supplies furnished, showing supplier and amount.

Ordinances

Index to ordinances relating to the Surveyor's Office, 1853-1860 (KG310, 1 v.)

Paving Records

Petitions for sidewalk and street paving, 1857-1874 (KG320, 1 v.) --volume kept by the Surveyor but apparently also used by the Committee on Streets and Landings of the Board of Assistant Aldermen as well. Includes copies of petitions addressed to the Common Council, giving names of petitioners and the footage owned by each on the affected streets. Records referrals of the petitions to various officials and their approval of same. Also records that the petitions were published according to law.

Reimbursements for sidewalk paving, 1852-1855 (KG360p, 4 v.)-- lists each property owner, the number of feet of his frontage paved, the material used, total costs, and the amount of that cost reimbursed to the owner. Some subject properties are accompanied by outline plans showing the exact location of the sidewalk work. Two of the volumes are indexes (one by name of street and one by name of owner) to the records in volume one.

Bills for street paving, 1833-1838 (KG540, 1 v.) -- statement of the amounts due to the city for street paving by individual property owners in the Faubourg St. Mary. Each paving project is recorded separately with the names of proprietors, exact measurements of their property, and the amount due from each.

Bills for street and sidewalk paving, 1852-1877 (KG540, 5 v.) -- generally recording streets paved, giving names of property owners, number of feet fronting the paved street, and the amount of payment made by each. Several volumes also include outline plans of each project area showing property lines and the type of paving material used. Volume one is indexed by name of property owner; the others are indexed by type of paving material, listing the appropriate streets thereunder.

Payroll Records, 1852-1862 (KG480, 2 v.)

Names of workers are grouped together by work unit according to the job performed. Names, positions, daily rate, number of days worked, and total salary are given. Also includes some references to materials/equipment purchased for some of the work. Among the public works included are construction and repair of levees and the cleaning of canals.

Plan Books

Plan of squares 662-1130, Second Municipal District, 1861 (KG620, 1 v.) -- individual plans for each square, representing the area from New Metairie Road to Harrison Avenue and from Orleans Avenue to Allard Road;includes number of square feet per square, and value of properties.

Plan book showing the location of city-owned property and property owned by the estate of John McDonogh, no date (KG622, 1 v.) -- probably dating from ca. 1855, this volume includes plans of squares in which city property was located. The city properties are shaded-in by otherwise unidentified. Also includes property of the McDonogh estate as well as property in the line of proposed street openings.

Tableau of assessment for the opening of Claiborne Street from Laharpe St. to Elysian Fields, 1857 (KG623, 1 v.) -- plans of individual squares, showing property owners and lot divisions, with the proposed street lines indicated.

Reports

Reports of bridge repairs, 1854-1856 (KG205, 1 v.) -- reports from the Superintendent of Bridges. Also included in this volume are records of purchases of materials for which bills were received and entered on the payrolls, April-July, 1856.

Specifications and Estimates

Specification books, 1855-1865 (KG630, 3 v.) -- detailed specifications for a variety of public works, including public buildings, bridges, canals, draining machines, wharves, markets, bell towers, and levees. Also includes proposals for contracts to operate and/or maintain facilities such as bridges, draining machines, and ferry boats.

Estimates on paving and building, 1852 (KG631a, 1 v.) -- mostly paving projects in the present-day Vieux Carre and Central Business District areas. Also includes a record of bills against the Surveyor's Office, October 1-13, 1862, and records of notification of street number changes, 1864-1865 and undated. The latter records give both old and new numbers and is one of the few records detailing street number changes prior to the establishment of the current numbering system in the 1890's.

Surveys and Measurements

Measurements of repairs to wooden bridges, 1852-1853 (KG410b, 1 v.) -- also includes records of materials purchased for bridge and wharf repairs; of block paving stones purchased or rejected from ships; inventories of iron, shells, sand, and other materials; and records of trees planted on various streets.

The Louisiana Division Map Collection includes a number of maps, plans, surveys, and other graphic materials that were produced either by or for the Surveyor's Office. These items document a wide variety of public works, including levee and wharf construction, street paving, and public building design. Many of these materials are in fragile condition and may not be readily available for research. Contact the Archivist for details.

The materials described in this catalog record are available on six rolls of 35mm microfilm. See the following inventory for microfilm roll numbers.

Inventory

[mf roll #89-206]

Correspondence Series

KG511
1853-1863

Outgoing Correspondence, 1853-1863.

v. 1 July 19, 1853 - May 18, 1855

v. 2 May 21, 1855 - June 6, 1863

Financial Records

KG541
1852-1863

Orders on the Comptroller's Office for approved bills, 1852-1855.

v. 1 April 22, 1852 - June 5, 1855

v. 2 June 7, 1855 - December 30, 1863

Ordinances

KG310
1853-1860

Index to ordinances relating to the Surveyor's Office, 1853-1860.

[mf roll #89-207]

Paving Records

KG320
1857-1874

Petitions for sidewalk and street paving, 1857-1874.

KG360p
1852-1855

Reimbursements for sidewalk paving, 1852-1855.

v. 1 May 24, 1852 - January 19, 1855

v. 2 January 19, 1855 - August 14, 1855

KG540
1833-1838

Bills for street paving, 1833-1838.

[mf roll #89-208]

KG540
1852-1877

Bills for street and sidewalk paving, 1852-1877.

v. 1 May 14, 1852 - October 21, 1853

v. 2 October 22, 1853 - December 29, 1857

v. 3 February 5, 1858 - March 13, 1860

[mf roll #89-209]

v. 4 March 26, 1860 - May 7, 1861

v. 5 May 16, 1861 - July 26, 1877

Payroll Series

KG480
1852-1862

Payroll Records, 1852-1862.

v. 1 April, 1852 - December, 1859

[mf roll #89-210]

v. 2 January, 1860 - July, 1862

Plan Books

KG620
1861

Plan of squares 662-1130, Second Municipal District, 1861.

January 2, 1861

KG622
n.d.

Plan book showing the location of city-owned property and property owned by the estate of John McDonogh, no date.

KG623
1857

Tableau of assessment for the opening of Claiborne Street from Laharpe St. to Elysian Fields, 1857.

Reports

KG205
1854-1856

Reports of bridge repairs, 1854-1856.

July 15, 1854 - November 29, 1856

Specifications and Estimates

KG630
1855-1865

Specification books, 1855-1865.

v. 1 February 10, 1855 - November 22, 1858

v. 2 November 27, 1858 - February 27, 1860

v. 3 March 5, 1860 - November 23, 1865

KG631a
1852

Estimates on paving and building, 1852.

Surveys and Measurements

KG410b
1852-1853

Measurements of repairs to wooden bridges, 1852-1853.

Go back to the Public Property and Public Works Records Menu

LC

New Orleans (La.) Street Commissioner's Office.

Records, 1852-1863.

16 v.

The 1852 city charter provided for a Street Commissioner to be elected to a two year term along with other executive officers of the municipality. His qualifications for office were the same as those for members of the state's general assembly. The Street Commissioner was to superintend the lighting, cleaning, and enclosing of city streets, wharves, and public places and also to see that all contracts for such work be faithfully executed. He was to make monthly reports to the Common Council on the condition of the streets, sidewalks, etc., and suggest repairs that were needed. In addition the commissioner was to "denounce all nuisances" that might adversely affect the health or convenience of the citizens of New Orleans.

Later, in 1856, ordinance #3054 provided for a more formal organization of the Street Commissioner's Office. In addition to the elected commissioner the office also included a deputy, a clerk, and ten assistants, all of whom were to be appointed by the commissioner with the consent of the Common Council. The main office was to be in City Hall, but branch offices in each of the other municipal districts were also provided for. All reports, books, and other documents were to be kept in the appropriate offices, and were to be considered as city property and always subject to inspection by the Mayor and Council members.

This ordinance, along with others subsequently passed, provided for additional duties and responsibilities of the office. These included:

--cleaning the markets

--supervising the planting of trees in public places

--superintending the removal of the indigent sick to the hospitals and the burial of indigent deceased persons

--taking a census of all persons subject to the license taxes (every March and between November 15 and December 15 of each year)

--seeing that property owners erected fences where their property abutted public sidewalks

--examining the operations of the ferry boats and reporting problems to the City Attorney for settlement

--coordinating street paving with the pipe laying projects of the water and gas companies.

The Street Commissioner also had joint responsibilities with other municipal offices, including the following:

--with the police officers to enforce the police ordinances and the various orders of the Board of Health

--with the surveyor's office to enforce laws regulating buildings, etc. for the safety of the citizenry

Ordinance #3139 (1856) permitted the commissioner to appoint "an experienced and competent person to superintend the repairs of old, and the making of new, bridges."

The records are manuscript volumes as follows:

Day book, 1853-1856 (LC202a)--

daily record of worked required to be done by contractors or individual property owners; gives the name of the person notified and the nature of the work to be done; marginal notes indicate compliance and/or the name of the party completing the work; also included in the rear of the book are miscellaneous accounts and inventories.

An example, from July 16, 1854: "Paul Burgimler--to clean privy, corner Bienville and Treme and remove the same three feet from the line of the nearest adjoining property [complied]"

In addition to repairs and similar work the record also includes references to patients taken to the Charity Hospital and to reports of burials performed by the office (the names of sick persons and persons being buried are usually given).

An example, from July 27, 1854: "Burial--buried at Cypress Grove Cemetery #2, the body of Charles Godenberg who died at the city lunatic asylum of pustulant infection (July 26), certified by E. Sabatier, M.D."

Record of bridge repairs, 1857-1859 (LC202b)--

daily reports of bridges to be repaired; gives location of bridge (some also including specific nature of work to be done), with the date of the repair also shown; the record is entered into a book that was designed to record the names of person subject to the city's license tax on professions and at the front of the volume are copies of printed forms relative to the same purpose.

Daily reports of superintendent of laborers & carts and overseers of chain gangs, 1852-1855 (LC410)--

individual dated reports give the number of persons employed on various projects; records are divided by class of worker (i.e., chain gang, cart men, carpenters, laborers, etc.)

An example, from August 10, 1852: "Report of the chain gang being working in Cypress St., forenoon, 7 men & 3 women; afternoon, 6 men and 3 women

Register of property brought to the pound in the Second District of New Orleans, 1853-1856 (LC430)

Ordinance #751 (1853) made it unlawful for persons to permit animals to run at large within specified portions of the city. The Street Commissioner and his deputies were empowered to arrest and confine in the pounds of the city all animals found running at large. Specific charges for keeping animals in the pounds were set forth in the law, along with other regulations to govern the matter. The Street Commissioner was charged to keep at each of the pounds, "a correct record of the admissions and date of arrest, as well as an accurate description of all animals taken up, so that they may be identified by their brands, signs, marks or other peculiarities."

Several pounds appear to have been provided for prior to the passage of this ordinance. Ordinance #1520 (1854) provided for the establishment of two additional pounds, one in the second and one in the fourth district. The ordinance further provided for the appointment by the Street Commissioner of four pound keepers to arrest and detain strays running at large in the streets.

The record is a manuscript volume recording the date that each animal was brought to the second district pound, the name of the person bringing said animal, the time of day admitted, a description of the animal (including a statement as to where it was found), name of the claimant, number of days in the pound, expenses per day, total amount, date released, and by whom released. For animals not claimed by their owners, the date sold, amount brought by the sale, and the name of the purchaser were also recorded. The first complete record in this volume is dated June 30, 1854. At the front of the book is a brief list of animals brought into the pound prior to that date.

Journal of expenditures, 1852-1858 (LC440, 2 v.)--

generally give the date of expenditure, name of account or person charged for the expense, name of the contractor or individual providing the service or product, and the amount of the expenditure; in some cases there is also a reference to the Common Council resolution authorizing the expenditure; included are such matters as grading & levelling streets and sidewalks, gas lighting (with locations of lights included), construction/repair of streets & sidewalks, stationary supplies delivered, removal of dead animals, and rental of property for animal pounds. Volume one (1852-1856) includes an "index" list of contractors at the front of the book. In the rear of volume two (1856-1858) are also separate accounts for contingent expenses, public places, nuisance wharves, bridge repairs, etc.

An example, from April 20, 1858: "City of New Orleans [payable to] Jas. Lindsay for 1264 feet of gutter around the Place d'Armes, 22c per running foot = $278.08 ..."

Ledger of accounts, 1858-1860 (LC470)--

gives date, number of certificate and amount paid; in some instances (street and bridge repairs, for example) the location (municipal district or street) is also indicated.

Letterbook, 1856-1862 (LC510)--

copies of outgoing letters to other city officials, contractors, etc.; the first 36 pages of this volume have been torn out and are missing.

An example, from December 24, 1857: "[To Mayor Waterman] ...I learn that a great portion of the Bulkhead near Desiree St., together with the levee at the foot of said street has been carried away and as the River is rising very rapidly, [I have been requested] to ask you to call a meeting of both boards of the Council to take steps against an overflow in that portion of the city."

Record of certificates issued to the Surveyor for work done by contractors, 1852-1856; 1861 (LC650, 3 v.)--

volume one (1852- 1855) is a manuscript record giving certificate number, name of contractor, date, description of work (with reference to the ordinance authorizing the contract), amount due (less any discount or other deductions), and signed by the Street Commissioner. Volume two (1855-1856) and three (1861) are made up of duplicate copies of the certificates (printed forms with manuscript entries), giving the same data. Included are certificates for street repairs, lighting, cleaning of streets, attending to the nuisance boats and wharves. At the front of volumes one and two are "index" lists of the contractors.

Record of notices for work to be done, 1861-1863 (LC745)--

stubs from notices directing private citizens and contractors to take specific actions regarding their property and/or work projects; gives date, name of person being notified, action to be taken, and the number of days in which work is to be completed.

An example, from March 3, 1863: "Mr. C. Bellenot, stop roofing your house with shingles on Terpsichore St. b[etween] Camp and Magazine."

Record of notices to lot owners, 1859-1862 (LC745L)--

stubs from notices to owners of city lots to cause certain work to be done; there are only ten stubs with entries, most of them calling for fences to be erected; gives date, name of lot owner, nature of work to be done, time allowed for the work to be completed, and signature of the officer issuing the notice; some also have notes referring to when and where the notice was served.

Census of merchants and persons following professions requiring licenses, 1855-1856 (LC840, 3 v.)--

manuscript entries given under the following printed headings: name, residence or place of business, callings or professions, number of license, amount paid, and remarks; individuals are listed together by square of property occupied; related forms are also included at the front of each volume. Volume one (1855) is for the Second Ward; volume two (1855) covers the Third Ward; and volume three (1856) is for the Third Municipal District. THESE VOLUMES ARE AVAILABLE ON A SEPARATE ROLL OF 35mm MICROFILM [mf roll #906365]

Inventory

[mf roll #89-204]

LC202a
1853-1856

Day book, 1853-1856.

October 3, 1853 - July 10, 1856

LC202b
1857-1859

Record of bridge repairs, 1857-1859.

January 2, 1857 - March 21, 1859

LC410
1852-1855

Daily reports of superintendent of laborers & carts and overseers of chain gangs, 1852-1855.

May 13, 1852 - May 31, 1855

[mf roll #89-292]

LC430
1853-1856

Register of property brought to the pound in the Second District of New Orleans, 1853-1856.

[mf roll #89-204]

LC440
1852-1858

Journal of expenditures, 1852-1858

v. 1 June 2, 1852 - July 7, 1856

v. 2 July 1, 1856 - June 30, 1858

[mf roll #89-205]

LC470
1858-1860

Ledger of accounts, 1858-1860.

LC510
1856-1862

Letterbook, 1856-1862.

November 5, 1856 - December 12, 1862

LC650
1852-1856; 1861

Record of certificates issued to the Surveyor for work done by contractors, 1852-1856.

v. 1 July 22, 1852 - March 3, 1855 (#1-265)

v. 2 May 9, 1855 - February 4, 1856 (#266-398)

v. 3 February 26 - November 2, 1861 (#780-1094)

LC745
1861-1863

Record of notices for work to be done, 1861-1863.

December 19, 1861 - August 7, 1863

LC745L
1859-1862

Record of notices to lot owners, 1859-1862.

September 28, 1859 - July 14, 1862

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LKK537
1860-1891

New Orleans (La.) Board of Commissioners of the First Drainage District.

Treasurer's check book, 1860-1891.

1 v.

The volume is made up of blank printed checks with receipt stubs. Stubs for checks issued are filled in with manuscript entries identifying the date of each check, the name of the payee, the reason for payment, and the amount of the check.

Available as part of one roll of 35mm microfilm, roll #89-355; filed under call number HC205L 1845-1850 2nd Mun.

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AX620
1860-1869

New Orleans (La.) City Auctioneer.

Plan books for the First Municipal District, 1860-1869.

7 v.

The legal status of the office of City Auctioneer is uncertain. It appears that the Common Council first elected an individual (N. Vigne) to serve in the position at its session of July 6, 1858. The timing would suggest that a major reason for creating the office was the need to sell the properties left to the city by John McDonogh in 1850. Court proceedings over the disposition of the McDonogh estate came to a final disposition early in 1858.

Ordinance #4264, approved on December 23, 1858, authorized the Auctioneer to advertise the McDonogh properties for sale. It further ordered the City Surveyor to turn over to the Auctioneer all plans referring to those properties. On March 26, 1860, the Council (by Ordinance #5044) authorized the Surveyor to draw up plans showing all unoccupied land owned by the city that was not set apart for public use. The law further authorized the Auctioneer, under the supervision of the Finance Committee of the Council, to sell those properties.

The plan books for the First Municipal District, seven manuscript volumes, are all that have survived in the archives. They were apparently made by the Surveyor and used by the Auctioneer in selling the subject properties. The volumes are labelled "J.B. Walton, Auctioneer." Records show that Walton did indeed serve as City Auctioneer.

Since much of the data contained in these volumes is for non-municipal property, the possibility arises that they were used for purposes other than those directly associated with the City Auctioneer (i.e., to sell off city property in general and the McDonogh lands in particular). The volumes may have been continued in use by Walton (or others) in his regular business pursuits. There is also the possibility that the books were transferred to some other governmental agency--the Surveyor's Office, perhaps--and kept in use for official purposes.

Each map shows one square, giving lot subdivisions and measurements, names of owners of individual lots, value of the property, and, sometimes, names of purchasers, purchase price, and date of sale. Volume two includes an index map indicating the squares included in the volume. The square numbers assigned do not appear to correspond to square numbers now in use. In previous cataloging, the volumes were all dated 1860-1862; however, they appear to have continued in use through 1869.

Available as part of one roll of 35mm microfilm, roll #82-96, filed under the call number noted above.

Inventory

AX620
1860-1869

New Orleans (La.) City Auctioneer.

Plan books for the First Municipal District, 1860-1869.

v.1 Square numbers 23-38, 46-63, 65-88, 113-119.

v.2 Square numbers 1A-22A, 1-9, 11-21, 23-24.

v.3 Square numbers 13-22, 39-45, 64, 89-95, 106-112, 126-132.

v.4 Square numbers 390-395, 402-411, 417-426, 431, 389, 432-440, 443-452, 455-456, 151-158, 168-169, 181-184, 186-187, 205-210, 221-225, 241-245, 254-257, 376-380, 388.

v.5 Square numbers 1-12, 96-105, 133-150.

v.6 Square numbers 188-204, 226-240.

v.7 Square numbers 258-375.

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