New Orleans 11 Most Endangered Landmarks
The Louisiana Landmarks Society
Friday, September 07, 2007
1. HISTORIC SHUSHAN TERMINAL COMPLEX
The Shushan terminal building was designed by the architectural firm of Weiss, Dreyfous and Seiferth, it compliments their other significant work, the Louisiana State Capitol. Their design was used as a model for other art deco airport terminals throughout the country between 1934 and 1940. The building is home to significant murals by WPA-era artist Xavier Gonzales. The Shushan terminal was prominent in several major events in the U.S. and aviation history. Amelia Earhart spent the night at the terminal's hotel facility prior to her final global flight. When it was complete, Shushan Field was the largest airport in the United States, strategically located on an man-made peninsula in the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. New York and Washington, D.C., were in the process of developing similar airfields but New Orleans accomplished this engineering feat first and over 10,000 spectators applauded the feat at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It served nearly one million visitors during the "Golden Age" of air travel.
In 1964, Shushan underwent a major renovation. Gonzales' "Wonders of Flight" murals were covered by paneling and the airport eventually was renamed the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. During this renovation, three of the eight original murals were covered or obstructed from public view as the atrium, a signature element of the building, was modified to create office space. One mural, "Rio de Janerio" was removed and sent to the Louisiana State Museum where it remains today.
The Shushan Terminal was punished because of the political backlash of its corrupt namesake. The airport was named after Abe Shushan, the Orleans Levee Board President who oversaw its construction. After he was convicted on a variety of corruption related charges, the airport was renamed. However, Abe had attempted to immortalize himself by adorning every possible surface with his name or initial, which renovators felt compelled to remove, sometimes disregarding the larger impact of this superficial problem.
Shushan's unique artisanship and it Depression Era craftsmanship is an example of elegance and efficiency that modern construction cost can no longer accommodate. Though the building suffered some damage from hurrricane Katrina, the structure was used by National Guard troops immediately after the strom, it is very sound and worthy of restoration as one of our unique modern architectural gems.
THREAT: Neglect and hurricane damage. Lack of awareness of historic and architectural value.
2. ST. ROCH MARKET: 2381 ST. CLAUDE AVENUE
Built 1875 as part of the 34 public markets which dominated New Orleans, the St. Roch market is a rare remaining public market building. This building, which is still owned byu the City of New Orleans, resides on the traditional narrow neurtal ground where two major streets converge. The once open-air market was enclosed after WWII, when the market syustem was dissolved but this building was renovated with WPA dollars after public outcry at its threatened closure. The 24 cast iron columns outlined where the open stalls were once arranged. The building's original architect is not known but the original design exhibited an almost steamboat inspiration. The WPA renovation afforded many upgrades to the market; refrigeration, plumbing and glass display cases were added. Until Katrina, the market remained open under a lease agreement as a seafood restaurant long famous for its gumbo, crawfish and po'boys. Today, this example of early New Orleans market culture sits on the edge of serious deterioration due to the lack of any real effort to conserve it at this time.
THREAT: Neglect
3. LAKEVIEW SCHOOL: 5951 MILNE BOULEVARD
Architect E.A. Christy (1880-1859), a native New Orleanian, was a prominent municipal architect. Christy designed Warren Easton High School (1913), Samuel J. Peter School (1913), Lafayette Elementary School (1924), McMain High School (1930), Rabouin Memorial School (1936), among others. Christy also designed the police station and the municipal courthouse which now houses the Williams Research Center. The Fire Company #34-Velez House on Napoleon Avenue (1917). The city engineer in charge of this construction was W.J. Hardee and the contractors M. Chessi Co. The former Lakeview School is of a markedly different style than the rest of Christy's school designs. Its rich craftsman style offers a uniques, warm ambiance of a less urban environment compared to the more formal municipal facilities in his portfolio. The footprint is U-shaped, two-story and the building has deep over-hangs with heavy braces that give the facade it's rich depth. The wood shingles and multi-pane, double hung sash windows, add to the unique warmth of this design.
Lakeview School has been vacant for many years. It was donated to the City of New Orleans by the Lupo family, however, the Lupo family has regained legal control of the property and are investigating all options abailable regarding the buildings viability.
THREAT: Neglect
4. LAFITTE CORRIDOR:
The Lafitte Corridor runs from Basin Street to Canal Boulevard along St. Louis Street through Mid City. Residents in the surrounding neighborhoods have been working to preserve this open space and are in the process of creating a bike path that would run the entire length of the corridor, permitting a pedestrain friendly6 way to traverse the city from the French Quarter to City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. National Historic Districts are in place along both sides of this 3-mile stretch of land. The concept of a public park amenity in this swath of land has been embraced as part of the city master plan since 1999. Logically, the Sojourner Truth Community Center, Lemann Playground and Community pool, complete with tennis courts, would all be a all facilites sit neglected, in need of major attention from the City.
This neglected strip which was once part of the Carondelet Canal and later became the old Norfolk Southern Rail Line, is ideal for a trail and park network in the corridor. In 1794 the Carondelet Canal was complete from Bayou St. John to Basin Street and was a small but critical waterway for commercial ships to reach the back of the French Quarter near Congo Square.
In 1938, the canal was filled in and railroad tracks were installed, the Lafitte Corridor remained an important path for the delivery of mail and other non-passenger freight. It was here that Storyville
