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New Orleans circa 1937. "813-815 Toulouse Street." Watch out for the neighbors. 8x10 inch acetate negative by Frances Benjamin Johnston. View full size.
Most of these buildings in and around the French Quarter amaze me. My wife and I were first there in the very early 70's and last time right before Katrina stopped in. To us it still all looks much the same, and similar to the very early photos.
Yet things built now days seem to fall apart in a few years.
Street view shows all brick exposed --- and looking in excellent condition.
New Orleans looks pretty much the same now as it does in all these images on Shorpy.
The stucco was applied over the locally made orange, rather soft "creole bricks" to protect them from the elements. Removal of stucco from bricks is strictly prohibited in the Quarter by the Vieux Carre Commission. A few older buildings had patches removed to "look more authentic" (gack!) but it has not been allowed for many years.
The building appears to be made of block, except that that it is cracking off to reveal brick beneath. I guess they scored the stucco to make it look like limestone or sandstone. Now we appreciate the old brick and I doubt a restoration would include covering it back up for historical accuracy.
Samuel House Wrecking Company, Incorporated, 1934
Was that a polite term for bordello?
Just realized that many of Johnston's photographs include a person in what has to be carefully posed compositions. In this photo there's a person in the left doorway. Also, this is a duplex; notice the mailboxes on the alley doors.
I'm amazed that building is still standing. It looks like it was ready for "Samuel House wrecking Co." 74 years ago!
I was afraid it would be long gone. Nice to see it's still there and pretty close to original!
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