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Since today was our last day in New Orleans, we decided to set out on our already exhausted feet and do one last historical walk around the city. After a lot of miles and a few new blisters, this is a summary of what we saw today...
St. Louis Cemetery #1- This is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans, built in 1789 to replace the St. Peter Cemetery. Many of the tombs from St. Peter's were moved to the St. Louis Cemetery and can easily be identified by their appearance (stacks of odd red bricks piled up haphazardly). St. Louis Cemetery #1 is also famous as the burial place of legendary Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. If you visit the cemetery, don't be fooled by those who will tell you that she is buried in the family (Glapion) plot...she is not. Her actual tomb is located on the opposite end and has no grave marker. If we hadn't asked, we would have never known that. Apparently the graves of those involved in voodoo never have markers on them because they would have been stolen. Instead they are marked with several X's, marked by those who have visited and made wishes on
Wyland Mural
Located near the Riverwalkher grave.
St. Louis Cathedral- First established in 1718, this is the oldest operating cathedral in the United States, and certainly one of the most beautiful!
Old Ursuline Convent- This building, located on the corner of Ursulines Avenue and Chartres, was constructed in 1745 and is one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans
Beauregard-Keyes House- Located at 1113 Chartres St, this Greek Revival house was built in 1826 and was the home of Confederate General Pierre G. Beauregard between 1866 and 1868.
The Lalaurie House- Located at 1140 Royal Street, this house is famous because it's one-time mistress, Delphine Lalaurie, was rumored to have tortured her slaves here and then set fire to the building once she was discovered. Today the house is said to be haunted. It was also recently purchased by Nicholas Cage. (a man living across the street leaned over his balcony to tell us that while we were taking a picture of the house!).
Gallier House- Located at 1132 Royal Street, this was the residence of famous architect James Gallier Jr.
915 Royal Street- The fence that wraps around this house is an example of some of the most
ornate ironwork in the French Quarter.
Madame John's Legacy- Located at 632 Dumaine, this raised cottage was one of the few buildings to survive a fire in 1794 that destroyed much of the city of New Orleans. The exterior of the house was used in the movie "Interview of the Vampire".
Corner of Royal Street and St. Peter- Famous for its acorn and oak leaf grillwork, this building is one of the most photographed in the French Quarter.
After our brief (but tiring) walking tour, we spent the rest of the day window shopping at the dozens of art galleries and fancy antique shops that stretch along Royal Street, then headed back over to Decatur and had our last dinner at Margaritaville, where I had some Jambalaya. I couldn't leave New Orleans without having tasting some of the local food. It was good, but secretly I kind of wished I'd ordered a veggie burger instead. I guess I'm just a burger girl at heart!
After dinner we wandered back down Decatur and ended our day early to repack and get ready for our flight home tomorrow. I can't believe how quickly the two weeks went...sigh...vacations always
fly by, don't they?
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Final Entry
We've enjoyed following along with your journey. You never got your alligator. Actually, it probably tastes a lot like crocodile, which isn't too bad. Perhaps your next visit... call us when you land.