| Exchange Alley, | |
 | |
| Former name(s) | Passage de la Bourse |
|---|---|
| Type | alley |
| Area | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Postal code | 70310 |
| Nearest metro station | French Quarter |
| Other | |
| Designer | James Gallier Sr. |
| Known for | Historical pedestrian zone |
Exchange Place, also known as Exchange Alley, and Exchange Passage, is a pedestrian zone that was created in 1831 originally as a small street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. The street was commissioned by the banker and merchant, Samuel Jarvis Peters, who thought to build an exchange closer to Canal Street. It was built in coherence with the Merchants' Exchange Building on Royal Street as it acted as a back entrance. The street crosses Iberville street, but horizontally stretches between Canal and Bienville street. The street has been a hidden alleyway to many shops and restaurants over the years
History of Exchange Passage
editAt the time Canal Street was the dividing line between the Creoles of the French Quarter and the Anglo-Americans on the CBD(Central Business District)/ Uptown Side. Peters wanted the exchange to shift more economic activity to the Anglo-American Portion of the city. The street was designed by architect James Gallier Sr., the Irishman who also worked on other projects such as Gallier Hall, the Pontalba buildings, and St. Charles Hotel. In past years the street has been home to many cafés, saloons, and clubhouses. The street populated with architects who talked of art and engineering. On the last block of the alley once stood "Café des Colonnes" built by the talented architect J.N.B de Pouilly. The alley was home to some of the most famous fencing instructors such as Don Jose "Pepe Llulla, Armant Robert Severin, and Basile Croquere. Young wealthy Creole men would gather to exchange Passage to study under the masters who worked along and near the street.
After the Civil War
editCommerce along the Exchange had diminished as a result of the restrictions placed during the Civil War, and the fall of the slave based economy previously established in the South. The neutral ground of the Exchange Alley began to shift as power in New Orleans transferred from Creole to American.
Merchants' Exchange Building and the early 1900s
editIn 1835 James Gallier Jr. and Charles Dakin were commissioned to design the Merchant's Exchange Building. The building spanned between two separate three-story wings one facing Royal and the other Exchange alley. It opened in 1836 and was home to the U.S Post Office, the City Court, Federal District Court, and a Billiard Clubs. During this time the Exchange Alley was occupied with the elite antebellum, political officials, philosophers, and even presidents. Andrew Jackson had appeared in Merchants' Exchange building and to appear in federal court. The building was ultimately demolished in a fire in 1903. In 1910 The Louisiana Supreme Court Building was built on top of the block of Exchange Alley that extend to Conti Street. After 1903 some solicitors could be found working with tradesman( Repairers, silversmiths, cheap hotels, lodging houses). Bookstores and new stands like Goldthwaite's bookstore made the Exchange Place popular with book hunters and news enthusiast's. However as time went on the cafés and saloons along the sides of exchange place became rooted with longshoremen, itinerant workers and hobos. Some notable occupants along the Exchange Place include Longshoremen's Hall and the Sheet Metal Workers Union. In the occurring years Exchange Place went from being a hub of bars and drunk locals to a place for tourist to shop
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References
edit- https://nola.verylocal.com/exchange-drinks-money-people-the-storied-and-often-dark-history-of-exchange-place/44568/
- https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans/haunted-places/louisiana-supreme-court/
- https://www.frenchquarter.com/the-courts-are-home-again-on-royal-street/
- https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/622?tour=52&index=8
- https://www.hnoc.org/vcs/property_info.php?lot=11206
- https://prcno.org/gallier-dakins-merchants-exchange/
- https://paulvargas1.wordpress.com/exchange-alley-new-orleans-to-1920/