Author Archives: Dablad1
Lafitte Blacksmith Shop
The pirate Lafitte operated a blacksmith shop on Bourbon St. (among his many other activities) in a building that was constructed as a house between 1722 and 1732. It is one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans and is also one of the oldest bars in the U.S. The first photo is dated 1895. … Continue reading
Maison-Blanche Building
The Maison-Blanche building is located on Canal St. It was built in 1908 and operated as a department store for many years. It is now a Ritz-Carlton hotel. The first photo is dated 1910.
Old Absinthe House
Any visit to New Orleans should include a stop at the Old Absinthe House. It was built in 1807 and has hosted the likes of Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, P.T. Barnum, Oscar Wilde, FDR, Frank Sinatra, and……….me! The first photo is dated 1890’s.
New Orleans City Park
The New Orleans City Park was built in 1854, making it one of the oldest urban parks in the U.S.. At 1300 acres it is twice the size of New York’s Central Park. It has 30,000 trees, including the world’s largest and oldest collection of live oak trees, some of which are over 600 years … Continue reading
New Orleans
New Orleans is known worldwide for its food, music, and festivals. It has one of the world’s largest and busiest ports. Tourism is a six-billion-dollar industry, accounting for 40% of the city’s revenue. Many of its streets are famous as well. Some examples are: 637 Royal St., 1930’s Bourbon St., 1925 Canal St., 1910 … Continue reading
Toledo Lighthouse
Toledo Lighthouse is located in Lake Erie, eight miles NE of Toledo Harbor. It was finished in 1903 and had an electrified, rotating light installed in 1966. While people were no longer needed to man the facility, a uniformed mannequin was placed in a window to preclude vandalism. In 2003 there was a centennial celebration … Continue reading
Presque Isle Lighthouse
Also in Lake Erie (although in Pennsylvania), Presque Isle Lighthouse opened in 1873. The keeper and family had to walk 1.5 miles from the Lighthouse to a boathouse at the appropriately named Misery Bay. From there it was a lengthy row followed by more walking to the town and school. The Lighthouse was opened to … Continue reading
Barcelona Lighthouse
Another Lighthouse located on Lake Erie, near the town of Westfield, NY, is the Barcelona Lighthouse, which was built in 1828. It was the first to use natural gas as the source of illumination and did so until 1851. The Lighthouse was removed from service in 1859, but remained a tourist attraction. It was in … Continue reading
Braddock Point Lighthouse
Located in Lake Ontario in New York, Braddock Point Lighthouse looks a lot like Presque Isle except the tower is twice as tall. It was finished in 1896. In 1926 a newspaper article estimated the keeper’s twice daily trips up and down the tower totaled about 700 miles during his 20-year tenure. In 1952 the … Continue reading
Split Rock Lighthouse
Split Rock Lighthouse is located in Minnesota on the west edge of Lake Superior. It was built in 1910 with all materials having to be brought in by boat. It was de-commissioned in 1969 and the site was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society, which restored it to its 1920 appearance. Split Rock Lighthouse is … Continue reading