Basin Street parallels Rampart Street one block inland from the boundary of the French Quarter, running from Canal Street down 5 blocks past Saint Louis Cemetery.
It currently then turns lakewards, flowing into Orleans Avenue. The name comes from the turning basin of the Carondolet Canal formerly located on the street, where it now turns on to Orleans by the Municipal Auditorium.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century railroad tracks paralleled the Canal and then turned on to Basin Street, running up the "neutral ground" (as street medians are called locally) to one of the city's main railroad depots on Canal Street.
From the 1890s through World War I, the back side of Basin Street was the front of the Storyville red light district, with a line of high end saloons and mansions devoted to prostitution.
 In 1892, Tom Anderson opened his first restaurant at No. 12 N. Rampart St. By 1900, this restaurant, advertised in the November, 1900 issue of The Southern Buck, was only one of a number saloons and restaurants owned or partially owned by Anderson in the infamous red light district. The Arlington Cafe (not to be confused with Anderson's Arlington Annex or with the brothel operated by madam Josie Arlington) was not a "house of ill repute," despite the suggestive images and language of the ad, but it was surely patronized by those who visited Storyville for something more than a good meal. |
Entertainment offered a direct contrast to that provided in the cribs which were bare one-room affairs that abutted on the sidewalk, and contained nothing more than a bed, a table, and a chair. There were from twenty to thirty cribs in a single block ancient structures with a common roof and low-hanging eaves. The barest of them, however, brought a rental of at least seventy-five dollars a month. But whatever the crib sections lacked in quality and distinctiveness, they more than made up for in volume, boisterousness, and Joie De Vivre. Establishments in Storyville ranged from cheap "cribs," rooms furnished with little more than a mattress where low-priced prostitutes turned tricks, through more expensive houses up to a row of elegant mansions along Basin Street for well-heeled customers. The District was adjacent to one of the main train stations where travelers arrived in the city and became a noted attraction for many visitors. The women were not permitted to leave the house, so they solicited vocally from behind doorways and window blinds. Those who went to see caught glimpses of beckoning hands and chalk-white faces in the poorly illumined rooms along the row. Some cribs outshone others by the variety and arrangement of red light bulbs that glowed in their interiors, but for the most part they presented a striking uniformity in every respect. Eventually in some sections restrictions as to color disappeared, and whites and blacks and all the possible variations were to be found in the same block. |
| Basin Street — Customhouse (name changed to Iberville, 1904) | |
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209-211 Basin Street 1895-1900 under management of Flo Meeker. 1900, passed to Hilma Burt. Building was property of Tom Anderson. 1911, Gertrude Dix managed until the District closed in 1917. 213-215 Basin Street "French House" from pre-Storyville days to the closing of the District in 1917. Occupants were reputed to sit by windows miming the act of fellatio using their thumbs. Prior to 1897, the octoroon Florence Mantley was in charge; she was succeeded by Yvonne LeRoy, then by Marguerite Angell, followed by Bertha Golden who remained in charge until 1907; then Diana Ray & Norma moved in and kept the establishment running until Storyville closed. It is said the "window mimes" continued their performances for all incoming visitors. 217 Basin Street Antonia Gonzales occupied this address from 1895 to 1900.She was followed by Gertie Sanford, Marie Denis, & Lizzie Smith respectively. Under Lizzie Smith it was known as the Little Annex which was the smallest house in the two blocks of Basin Street. 221 Basin Street Nellie McDowell, 1894-1900; Ollie Nichols, 1900-1907; Minnie White, 1907-1917. 223 Basin Street Until 1907, Grace Simpson (first president of Madam's Benevolent Society), followed by Jessie Brown's uninterupted occupancy for 17 years. 225 Basin Street Tom Anderson had this building constructed in 1897, for his lady-love Josie (Lobrano) Arlington (nee Mary Deubler of New Orleans). She had previously operated for some years at 172 Customhouse Street. This rococo mansion was the talk of the District. Following her retirement in 1909, Anna Casey was landlady with Gertrude Dix as administrator. 227-229 Basin Street Pearl Knight's house was located here until 1900. Gabrielle Michinard was madam until (about 1904), followed by Martha Clark until 1917. 235 Basin Street Mahogany Hall belonged to Lulu White, as well as the saloon next door. She operated her establishment until Storyville closed. This was the last Storyville landmark to be demolished in 1949. 307 Basin Street Jeanette LeFebre, and afterwards Frances Gilbert. Expept for briefly (approx. 1915) when this location was operated by Rose Stein. 311 Basin Street It is speculated that Lulu White occupied this location while awaiting the construction of Mahogany Hall. 1897 (when Lulu White moved into Mahogany Hall), Pauline Avery moved in. Ella Schwartz ran the establishment from (about) 1902-1914; followed by Bertha Weinthal until Storyville closed. 313 Basin Street Dorothy Denning was madam here in the 1880s. (she also ran a house at 132 Burgundy Street.) Lottie fisher was in residence during pre-Storyville days until (about) 1904. Lillian Irwin operated the establishment for the following years of Storyville's existence. |
315 Basin Street Built approximately 1909 on property previously owned by Willie Piazza, May Spencer was the only occupant. 317 Basin Street Willie V. Piazza occupied this address throughout Storyville's existence. It is believed the house was used as a bordello before 1897 under the leadership of Caretha Lopez, and briefly by Mamie Cristine. 319 Basin Street Willie V. Piazza was here until 317 Basin Street was ready for occupancy. When she moved out, Paulette Brian (until 1905), followed by Camile Turner (1905-1917). 321 Basin Street Occupants were Egypt Vanita (approx. 1903), Violet Caddie (1906), Olga Lodi until 1917. 325 Basin Street Annie Ferris was in charge until 1906, then Vivian Bonnaville until Storyville closed. 327 Basin Street Rose Stein was involved in several ventures during Storyville's heydey. She maintained this tiny house throughout that time. 331, 333, 335 Basin Street This was a huge three-and-half-story, double building. In square footage, the largest in New Orleans' history up to that time. Most famously known as Emma Johnson's French Studio. The early days of Storyville found this establishment too large for one occupant to manage, so it was partitioned mid-way, with Ella Schwartz and Emma Johnson in No. 331. Marcel Nado was in No. 335. Emma Johnson was able to take over the whole building by 1905 (until 1917), thanks to her "sex circuses" and extreme bawdy activities. 341 Basin Street Julia Dean operated this location until 1895. Tillie Thurman, until 1904, Eunice Deering, 1904-1910. Willie Barrera until 1917. 158 Customhouse (Iberville) Hattie Hamilton Street name changed to Iberville in 1904. (Hattie also operated the 21 South Basin Street establishment, and 184 Customhouse late 1870s.) 166 Customhouse (Iberville) Lulu White's first address of business in the District. Jessie Brown also was madam here. 1535 Customhouse (Iberville) A huge four-story house, with multiple galleries on the corner of Villere. It's notorious history dated to 1863, when Kate Townsend was in residence, before she opened her house in 40 Basin Street. Notable madams were Antonia Gonzales and Gypsy Shaeffer (Gipsy Shafer). 171 Customhouse (1547 Iberville) The Phoenix (from 1893) was owned by Fannie Lambert.This was a large double building, and May O'Brien (on the other side) was in charge of the whole following Fannie's death (1904). 172 Customhouse (1546 Iberville) Original location of Josie Arlington. |
Customhouse Street | |||
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104- L. Mansfield 117- Eleonora Baquie 126- Tillie Stephens 128- Dew Drop Inn 130- E. Smithy 137- Lou St. Claire 139- Nettie Garbright 141- Annie Lee 155- Bon Ton Saloon 157- Frankie Belmont 158- Hattie Hamilton 166- Lulu White 167- Millie Christian (Mamie Cristine) 168- Hattie Jacobs 169- Fannie Wright (and Eva Kelly) 171- Fannie Lambert 172- Josie Arlington 184- Hattie Hamilton 186- Madame Batiste 227- Nellie Haley 229- Marcelle Moreau 270- Kitty Reed 380- Mrs. Bagnetto 939- Julia Dean 940- Ollie Russell 1016- Carter's 1022- Grace Simpson 1025- Flo Meeker 1033- Josephine Claire |
1208- Lou Lockwood 1310- Sabena Weinblat 1315- Emma Berger 1402- Miss Jennie 1405- Fanny Bloom 1407- Flossie Smith 1420- Maud Flower 1504- Bertha Golden 1506- Ida Bernstein Florence Romaine 1510- Ada Hayes 1511- Miss Martha 1517- Ray Owens 1535- Antonia Gonzales Gipsy Shafer Alice Heard Effie Dudley Julia Elliott 1537- Cora DeWitt 1538- Mary Smith 1539- Bessie Cummings 1542- Jessie Brown Miss Archie Clark 1545- Alice Williams 1547- Fanny Lambert 1549- Camille Lewis Nina Jackson Margaret Bradford 1561- Hattie White 1567- Sadie Plummer |
Bienville Street 810- Fanny Gold 811- Lola Roig 814- Midget Ashley 824- Dora Green 829- Rosie Blanchard 830- (unsure) 832- Lena Friedman 833- Laura Miller 912- Helen Mitchell 916- Mannie Smith 920- Annie Miller 928- (unsure) 930- Bessie Montgomery 1002- Anna Cahn 1018- Rosie Delaire 1210- Annie Martinez 1308- Alice Mitchell 1318- Harriet Holland 1404- Alice Gold 1410- Annie West 1412- Mattie Soner 1418- Anna Howard 1545- Cora Young 1551- Lou Prout 1632- Maud David |
Conti Street 50- Mrs. Kronower 1304- Edna Hamilton 1306- Ray Owens Gipsy Shafer 1310- Louise Dreyfus 1320- Annie Blessing Mrs. Barton May Evans Frances Morris 1405- Lillie O'Deall 1414- Gipsy Shafer 1418- Nina Jackson 1548- Garne Runiart 1550- Maud Livingston 1554- Clara Henderson 1558- Alice Thompson 1571- Sophie Shields |
| Names are known Madams (listed in Blue Book advertisements). No "resident working girls" are listed. These establishments were prior to the 1897 Ordinance establishing the Storyville District. Following 1897, most were divided into double occupancy. The Blue Book then included "special ladies" of the establishments. The side buildings and slave quarters were converted into 'cribs'. The 1910 census showed the sixty addresses on Iberville had become beyond 160. (No additional structures having been erected.) |
Prior to Storyville Ordinance of 1897
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South Basin St. Mary BrooksMinnie and Emma Griffen Leila Barton Hattie Strauss Fannie Wright Kittie Reed Clara's House 121-Kate Townsend Elk's Lodge See: Mansions Mollie Johnson Lou Prout Minnie Ha Ha Josephine Lileen Annie Reed Kitty Johnson Fannie Sweet North Franklin St. May RedmondMay Evans Snooks Randella Evelyn Carroll Jean Carlton South Franklin St. Bessie LeMotheMcCarty's Ranch Mathilda Smith North Liberty St. Margie WhiteJosie Friedman |
Marais St. Annie RossLizzie Springer Provenzano's Estelle Holander Annie Merritt Villere St. Florence LeslieNorth Robertson St. Cora IssacsBurgundy St. Abbie ReedMattie Smith Eva Brown Gertie Livingston Dauphine St. Blanche DuMurrierNellie Gaspar St. Louis St. E. SmithNettie Dean May Tuckerman Lou Jackson North Rampart St. Mary SeibelAlice Edwards Irene Gaston |
From dance halls and saloons came the jangling of pianos and the shuffling sounds of dancers. Dice games were always in progress. Gruff voices of men and high-pitched tones of women intermingled in argument or laughter. Drunks who had spent or lost all their money were shoved away from one place after another until a policeman took them into custody. Finally, in the small hours of the morning, the last visitor made his rounds of the houses; the rent collector, who would listen to no excuse and whose business methods were ruthless. On the heels of much persistent vice-crusading by Miss Jean Gordon and other civic leaders for the suppression of the restricted district, came a request from Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy under President Wilson, urging, as a war measure, the large cities of the nation to curb all forms of vice. A local ordinance therefore closed the district officially on October 10, 1917. The red-light district never regained its pre-war legal status. After Storyville's closure, Basin Street was temporarily renamed North Saratoga (although the historic name was returned some 20 years later). Basin Street formerly continued on the other side of Canal Street to Commons Street, today known as Elk's Place, which after 2 blocks becomes Loyola Avenue on the upper side of Commons. The equivalent street paralleling Rampart one block back on the other side of Louis Armstrong Park in the Treme neighborhood is Saint Claude. Basin Street was commemorated in the Basin Street Blues composed by Spencer Williams in 1926 and recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1929. |
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Storyville New Orleans Red-Light District
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