The Port of New Orleans has been at the epicenter of American history for centuries: Wars were fought over it and Louisiana was purchased by the United States in order to obtain New Orleans.
The state has been governed under ten different flags beginning in 1541 with
Hernando de Soto's claim of the region for Spain. La Salle later claimed it
for Bourbon France and over the years Louisiana was at one time or another
subject to the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of Napoleon, the
Lone Star flag of the Republic of West Florida and the fifteen stars and stripes
of the United States.
In 1803, Louisiana had become a part of the United States because of the
region's importance to the trade and security of the American mid-west. New
Orleans and the surrounding territory controlled the mouth of the Mississippi
River down which much of the produce of the mid-west travelled to reach market.
To get the vital region in American hands, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated
the Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon.
The New Orleans, the first steamboat to navigate the Mississippi
River, arrived at New Orleans from Pittsburgh on January 10, 1812, thereby
opening the river to even more commerce.
Through much of its early history Louisiana was a trading and financial center,
and the fertility of its land made it one of the richest regions in America
as first indigo then sugar and cotton rose to prominence in world markets.
Many Louisiana planters were among the wealthiest men in America.
The plantation economy was shattered by the Civil War although the state
continued to be a powerful agricultural region. The discovery of sulphur in
1869 and oil in 1901, coupled with the rise of forestry sent the state on
a new wave of economic growth.
The era of the modern Port of New Orleans began in 1879 with the construction of jetties in South Pass, one of three passes that flow from the river into the gulf. Sandbars had formed at intervals in these passes and had hindered ships entering the river since the city's founding. The jetties narrowed South Pass, forcing the river to cut a deeper channel to a depth of 30 feet (9 metres).
The Atlanta Constitution, December 6, 1901
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Welcome to the Crooks.
(From The New Orleans Picayune.)New Orleans has for a century been famous for the speed and prowess of the horses that have gained their triumphs upon its turf.
Time was when the studs of the great Virginia and other noted stables were brought here by sea in sailing vessels around the capes of Florida, and the celebrated Kentucky coursers came down the great rivers in steamboats and even in the ancient arks or covered barges that floated down with the current. The ancient annals of racing are filled with the names and pedigrees of horses that won great victories and heavy purses on the old Carrollton and Metalrie courses.
Possibly the ancient glories have not in later times been so often repeated, but, nevertheless, winter racing in New Orleans is still a matter of much importance, and it is one of the winter attractions of the city.
It is true that the advent of the racing season brings not a few sharpers, thieves and other rascals; but good times and the climate are in large part responsible for that. Such scoundrels always follow prosperity, and never calamity. It is a good sign when they come, and the police force should be strengthened to look after them.
