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Neighborhoods
Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Canal and S. Lopez Streets in Mid-CityCanal Street was originally a dividing line between two neighborhoods and cultures On the downriver side of the street was the original city, the Vieux Carre’, or “Old Square.” As American influence began to dominate in the city, this section became known as the “French Quarter.” On the upriver side of Canal Street, the Americans began building English style homes with green front lawns rather than the center courtyards which are the hallmark of the French/Spanish architecture in the Quarter. Remnants of the stark cultural differences between the two sides of Canal are still visible even today: Streets on the downriver, or “downtown” side of Canal are referred to as “North,” as in N. Broad or N. Galvez Street, whereas on the upriver or “uptown” side of Canal, the same streets are S. Broad and S. Galvez. Street numbering begins with the 100 block at Canal, with addresses on either side increasing in number as the street moves away from Canal. For those of you who are scratching your heads, wondering why the “uptown” side of Canal is where all the “south” streets are, please stop now. Just accept that New Orleanians approach geography from the unique perspective of the Mississippi River. While most people in the world see the Mississippi as a river that runs north-to-south, the bends in the river at New Orleans are such that the river actually runs west-to-east. Locals reference things in their relation to the river and to Lake Pontchartrain, which is north of the city. Dont’ try to figure it out beyond that, just accept it as one of those “New Orleans things.” Neighborhoods Along The Line:
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