We all love the beautiful drive along the bayou, on both sides of Moss Street. But none of the houses we admire were built by the original French settlers. In fact, there are only two houses left that were definitely built before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803: the Old Spanish Custom House at 1300 Moss St. and the Pitot House at 1440 Moss Street.
Ten years before the founding of New Orleans, the first plantations were established on Bayou St. John when eight colonists were persuaded to come from Mobile to grow wheat as a principal crop. Titles to land in the area can be traced back to concessions granted in late 1708. These early grants were narrow bits of waterfront property -- about 2 to 3 arpents by 40 arpents -- on the east bank (downtown side) of the bayou. On today's map, their concessions were approximately between Grand Route St. John to a point just beyond Esplanade Avenue. As any real-estate agent will tell you, the most important factor is location, and the land here was rich and relatively high. But more important, this side of the bayou was closer to the portage path (Bayou Road) and the Mississippi River.
One of the earliest concessions went to Antoine Rivard de LaVigne who, by 1721, owned all the others plus the ancient Acolapissa Village on the west bank of the bayou across from his plantation. Bienville gave him another three arpents, and LaVigne became the earliest large-property owner on Bayou St. John.
Work on the city of New Orleans began in 1718, and the next year saw the beginning of the village of Bayou St. John -- three houses and a warehouse -- between Esplanade and Dumaine on both sides of the bayou on today's Moss Street.
Due to Hurricane Katrina's arrival on August 29, 2005, the following year was a year of transitions for everyone in New Orleans. No less so for Bellsouth. At the beginning of the year Bellsouth installed a new communications substation in the median on Ursulines Street. The equipment installed is state-of-the-art.
But, for those living in the area accustomed to beautiful flowers and manicured lawns, it was rather like having sand thrown in one's eyes. Fortunately, after numerous complaints were received from local residents, Bellsouth redesigned the communications substation to better blend in to the neighborhood.
Voodoo on the Bayou is a black tie or costume event that features food from area restaurants and a local band. It is held each year at the Pitot House on or around Halloween and funds raised allow the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association to carry out it's many civic improvements not the least of which is the cleaning of Bayou St. John, beautification of Fortier Park (on Esplanade at Mystery Street), and crime watch.
Jazz Fest is held in the Faubourg St. John area every year. Click HERE to see a short slideshow about Jazz Fest
Click on the map for moreClick HERE to see the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association's Board
Meet the 2010 President of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association
Click here to view the bylaws of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.
Click here to view a map of the boundaries of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.
Click here to learn about Smart Growth
Click here to learn more about the Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Click here to see the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Faubourg St. John.
See Faubourg St. John neighbor Gary Granata in his kitchen.