There are no stones in south Louisiana. Mollusk shells dredged from brackish Lake Pontchartrain were used as gravel throughout the area until quite recently. Dredging in the Lake was banned in 1990 to reduce the turbidity and stirred-up pollution. The lake is now clean enough for swimming much of the time. I've also seen oyster shells used for gravel in NOLA.

The two smokestacks are coal burning stacks, which were used for producing electricity until 1973. They are located in the 1200 block of South Peters Street. Maybe someone else can help identify the other tower, as it was prominent in the New Orleans skyline until a few years ago.

Max Barnett Furniture Co. can be seen in the background. It was established there on Poydras St. in 1899, and was located there until they moved in 1928.

Lovely building! The chimney is blowing off quite some smoke - must have been a windy day!? Le Pavillon still looks charming today and, I just found out, seems to be famous for the occasional ghost apparition.

In between its opening as the Denechaud and the current name of Le Pavillon, for generations the hotel was known as the DeSoto. I recall when the question of correct pronunciation of "Le Pavillon" came up, a local old timer piped in "De Soda."

The text on the back of the attached early 20th century postcard view of the lobby reads "$1,000,000.00 Hotel DE SOTO New Orleans. The ONLY ABSOLUTELY FIREPROOF HOTEL IN NEW ORLEANS. ALL OUTSIDE ROOMS. Famous for its Creole Cuisine. Rates $1.00 and Upwards."

The lobby is still one of the most beautiful in the city. I believe the rates have gone up.

New Orleans is not a "cajun" city. It is creole at best, and if anything most street names aren't pronounced correctly either.

Given the long shadows for the low sun and the orientation of Carroll Street, and the absence of anyone except the lone blurred horse and cart (deliveries), sure looks like an early Sunday shot to me. Real nice photo too!

[Also note the shadowy figure in the alleyway. - Dave]

We dont speak French here. We speak Cajun, a 200 year old corruption of French, so don't expect proper French pronunciation.

Is that a little ivy garden boxes on the roof of the building in the corner? Sure looks it!

[Horticulture a la Morticia Addams. - Dave]

Are those sea shells on the roof in the foreground? I believe most modern roofs use stones. Interesting.

Very beautiful building! I can imagine how impressive it was at the time!

This isn't Paris -- it's Nawlins!

My wife and I stayed there several years ago, and we had dinner there just a few weeks ago. The dining room is on the ground floor in the corner nearest the camera.

It's a very nice hotel with a unique touch. Every night at 11, they serve to the guests peanut butter sandwiches on silver trays, and hot chocolate from silver urns.

But the people who work there apparently can't pronounce the name of the hotel with proper French diction.