The Second Battle of New Orleans

The Second Battle of New Orleans: A History of the Vieux Carré Riverfront Expressway ControversyReprinted with new images and a foreword by Jed Horne by Richard O. Baumbach Jr. and William E. Borah About the book: Today, one can hardly imagine a visit to New Orleans without a stroll through its famous French Quarter (the Vieux Carré), but this now national historic landmark was at the center of a two-decades-battle that pitted politicians against preservationists. Mid-twentieth century shifts away from central business districts and public transportation, combined with the increasing sprawl of suburbs, resulted in a need for massive roadway projects to carry commuters. In 1946, such a project was designed for the city officials of New Orleans, which included a forty-foot-high, ninety-foot-wide interstate highway be built through the French Quarter district, the city’s oldest, and arguably most historic, neighborhood. The project was supported and pushed by politicians and business lead