A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog

28 Things to Know About New Orleans
by A.E. Albert

@aealbert23

28 Things to Know

About New Orleans

My novel, The Time Sphere, takes place in different places in history. However, the story begins in the famous town of New Orleans.  I chose New Orleans because I've always been intrigued by it's colorful and larger than life history and culture.  

Here are a few facts about the Big Easy:

1. Voodoo was first introduced to the U.S in New Orleans.

2.  New Orleans and the surrounding area was once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte.  It was then bought by America in what is known as the Louisiana Purchase.

3. New Orleans' Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest continuous bridge over water.

4.  New Orleans is the birthplace of poker and craps.

5.  It was here that Jazz was born.











6.  Although it originated in Mobile, Alabama in 1703, Mardi Gras is ingrained in New Orleans culture.

7.  The first Opera in America was performed in New Orleans in 1796.






8. It is considered the most haunted city in the U.S.

9.  Due to high water levels, most tombs are placed above ground.

10.  Home of the beignet, deep fried dough smothered in sugar.

11.  The Superdome is one of the largest enclosed arenas in the world.  It is so large, the condensation inside can create rain fall.



12.  During the Civil War, New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederate States of America.

13.  The French Quarter is the original boundaries of the city.  It was discovered by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne in 1718.  He actually thought it was a safe haven from hurricanes.





14.  The New Orleans Saints won their first Superbowl in 2010.

15. New Orleans is famous for it's Creole and Cajun Food.  Creole is a mixture of French and African. Cajun originated from the Acadian French Settlers.

16.  A fire in the 1700's destroyed much of the french buildings in the French Quarter. Today, most of the buildings are Spanish style due to the Spanish occupying the city at the time.

17.  During the time when states had their own currency, a popular note in Louisiana was the 10 dollar bill, also known as the Louisiana Dix.  They were called Dixies, hence the name Dixieland.




18. New Orleans boasts 20 historic districts, more than anywhere else in the U.S.






 19.  St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest run cathedral in the U.S.

20.  Antoine's is the oldest, continuously run restaurant in the U.S.  Founded in 1840.




21.  Before Louisiana was a state, goods on the New Orleans docks were labelled U.S. and called Uncle Sam.







22.  New Orleans City Park is the largest in the world.  It is also home to the Duelling Oaks, where Creole gentlemen would meet to duel.




23.  The Louisiana State Museum holds a death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte.  It was caste shortly after his death on the Island of St. Helen's.






24.  Louisiana is the only state that does not have counties, but is divided up into parishes.






25.  Alcohol is available any time of day in New Orleans.  Drinking is allowed on the streets and bars pour drinks to go in plastic cups.








26.  Tabasco Sauce is a Louisianian pepper sauce.  It is the second oldest food trademark in the U.S. patent office.

27.  There are 42 cemeteries in the New Orleans area.






28.  Famous People born in New Orleans:

• Truman Capote
• William Faulkner
• Anne Rice
• Tennessee Williams
• John Goodman
• John Larroquette
• Peyton and Eli Manning
• Lil Wayne
• Reese Witherspoon
• Bryant Gumbel
• Ian Somerhalder
• Richard Simmons
• Tyler Perry
• Trent Reznor
• Fats Domino
• Louis Armstrong
• Harry Connick Jr.

About A.E. Albert