A Progressive and Unconventional City

New Orleans is known to be a city of fast progression and unconventional morale since it was founded. Home to many first documented developments in music, voodoo, liquor, desegregation, homosexuality, gender equality, and interracial relationships, New Orleans will always be known for its unconventional ways.

Anne Rice, New Orleans native and famous author, writes about her hometown:

"Something else was going on in New Orleans. The living was good there. The clock ticked more slowly; people laughed more easily; people kissed; people loved; there was joy"

Read more of Anne Rice's description of New Orleans here.

Here is a list of some of New Orleans' deviant and progressive acts:

One of the first documented operas in the US was in New Orleans in 1796 while George Washington was President.
History of New Orleans Opera

Description of French Opera House in the Cabildo Museum

Poker is said to have originated in NOLA gambling riverboats and steamboats by sailors in 1820s on the Mississippi River. It was originally played with a 20-card deck!

History of Poker

One of first cocktails was developed in French Quarter in the 1800s, when bartenders created a recipe for Sazerac.

Visit the Museum of the American Cocktails!

Due to the large French population in New Orleans, Dix was a type of currency and later developed the catchphrase of the South "Dixieland"

Birthplace of jazz and voodoo, as jazz was developed from voodoo rituals involving rhythmic drums and instruments.

Congo Square, located in Louis Armstrong Park, is known as the birthplace of music and soul of New Orleans

French-Creole cuisine developed fine dining, as Antoine's has been open since 1840.

Antoine's

The main dining room of Antoines

First validated practice of prescription pharmacists.

Created in 1823, the first New Orleans pharmacy was opened by Louis Dufilo, America's first licensed pharmacist.
This location is now visited on a ghost tour, as it is said to be haunted.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

Authentic tinctures and bottles from Pharmacy Museum

Metal Catheters, c.1850

Authentic bed from midwife 

Many Cathedrals and churches that have been in use since the 1700s including the famous Saint Louis Cathedral, in use since 1720.

Saint Louis Cathedral is a beautiful sight in the evening

Visit New Orleans Cathedrals and Churches!

Edison's Vitascope was used in New Orleans in 1896

The Vitascope was used to project films in New Orleans theaters in 1896, created by Thomas Edison! It is said to be the world's first for-profit movie theater.

Visit Vitascope Hall!

The Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo was the first US Competitive fishing competition in 1928. The oldest fishing tournament in in the United States continues.

Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Continues since 1928.

Standardized regional air travel was developed from the model of the Shushan Airport, which is currently the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. This airport was built in 1934 and is part of aviation history.

Visit Lake Front Airport

Video about the history of Lakefront Airport

Lack of segregation and discrimination in many parts of New Orleans (read more about on Discrimination page).

Colored people were often free and light-skinned and Caucasian people could be found as slaves (read more about on Slave and Slave Owners page).

Women owned and ran their own businesses (read more about on Women of NOLA page).

Interracial families creates a new culture- French Creoles (read more about on Cajuns and Creoles page).

Oldest gay bar in the US, Cafe Lafitte In Exile (read more about on Pirates page).

I was able to visit Cafe Lafitte In Exile during my trip in New Orleans

Works Cited

Belsom, Jack. neworleansopera.org/a-history-of-opera-in-new-orleans/.

"Did New Orleans Invent the Cocktail? | Arts & Culture." Smithsonian, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/did-new-orleans-invent-the-cocktail-53502779/.

"'Dixie' Originated from Name "dix" an Old Currency :: Louisiana Works Progress Administration (WPA)." Default, louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/LWP/id/1384.

Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo, tarponrodeo.org/.

"Hear About the Haunted New Orleans Pharmacy Museum." New Orleans Ghost Tours, nolaghosts.com/new-orleans-pharmacy-museum/.

"History of Poker." The World of Playing Cards, www.wopc.co.uk/history/poker/index.

"The Museum of the American Cocktail — National Food & Beverage Foundation." National Food & Beverage Foundation, natfab.org/cocktail-museum/.

"New Orleans Churches of Architectural/Historical Significance." New Orleans Official Tourism Web Site - New Orleans Online, www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/attractions/churches.html.

New Orleans Lakefront Airport, www.lakefrontairport.com/.

"Northwest Progressive Institute Archive: Life After New Orleans." Northwest Progressive Institute – Revolutionizing Grassroots Politics, www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2005/09/life-after-new-orleans.html.

St. Louis Cathedral | New Orleans, LA, www.stlouiscathedral.org/.

"Vitascope Hall in New Orleans, LA." Cinema Treasures, cinematreasures.org/theaters/42202.