The Garden District
You’ve heard the name, but where and what exactly is the Garden District of New Orleans? Located approximately 3 miles southwest of the French Quarter, the Garden District is the home of Lafayette Cemetery #1, historic mansions, and a rich history.
The Garden District – A Brief History
The French founded New Orleans and ruled over it for 60 years. France then gave it to Spain who governed for the next 40 years. After Napolean took it back, the United States decided to purchase it from France in 1803. Back then, only 1 out of every 10 people in New Orleans was an Anglo-Saxon, English-speaking American. The newly arrived Americans in New Orleans did not trust the native Creoles and the feeling was mutual. Therefore, the wealthy Yankees wanted a city of their own and the Garden District was born.
The Oldest Municipal Cemetery in New Orleans
Lafayette Cemetery #1 is in the Garden District. It is the oldest municipal cemetery in New Orleans. It contains over 1100 family tombs, 500 wall vaults and a dozen society tombs. Burials still take place here but only in existing tombs, no new ones are built. Many buried here are victims of cholera and yellow fever. The cemetery is a part of our Destined To Be Different Garden District tour.
Prime Real Estate of the Garden District
The mansions in the Garden District are opulent, breathtaking, and great examples of the architecture of the day. From the Buckner Mansion to Colonel Short’s Villa, the Garden District is a very early example of a luxury suburb. So the next time you are in New Orleans make sure to book a Garden District Tour* with our experienced, licensed guides at The Savvy Native. Or choose any of our tours to enhance your New Orleans experience. We would love to show you around!
The Savvy Native is a group of experienced local tour guides who were either born in New Orleans or wish they had been.
*As if this writing the Cemetery is closed while the City of New Orleans completes maintenance repairs. And during this closing our tour has been expanded to include stops rarely seen that time normally would not allow for.
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