Curious Tourist

Where do some of the streets in New Orleans get their names?

New Orleans has a rich history, and many of its street names reflect this. Some examples include:

  • Bourbon Street: Named after the French royal family of the Bourbons, this street was originally called "Rue de Bourbon" when it was laid out in the early 1700s. It was later renamed "Bourbon Street" in honor of the family.

  • Royal Street: This street was named after the Spanish royal family, as New Orleans was under Spanish rule for a time in the late 1700s.

  • Decatur Street: Named after Stephen Decatur, a naval hero of the War of 1812.

  • Canal Street: Named for the canal that was planned to run alongside it in the early 1800s, although the canal was never built.

  • Chartres Street: Named after the city of Chartres in France, the original name of the street was "Rue de la Levee".

  • Frenchmen Street: Originally called "Rue des Francais", this street was home to many French immigrants in the 19th century.

  • Tchoupitoulas Street: This street was named for the Tchoupitoulas Native American tribe that lived in the area before European settlement.

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