Carrollton, New Orleans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Carrollton Historic District
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Sign on Carrollton Avenue near St. Charles Avenue
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Lowerline St., Mississippi River, Monticello Ave., & Earhart Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Built | 1840 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001893 |
| Added to NRHP | November 02, 1987 |
Carrollton is a cool, old neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's part of Uptown New Orleans, located furthest up the Mississippi River. Carrollton used to be its own town! It was planned in 1833 and became an official town in 1845. Later, in 1874, New Orleans added Carrollton to its city. But even today, Carrollton feels like its own special place.
The old town of Carrollton stretched from the Mississippi River to Fig Street and Lowerline Street. You might hear people call the area near the river "Old Carrollton." There's a funny thing about street names here: Lowerline Street is actually upriver from Upperline Street! This happened because of how different towns joined New Orleans long ago.
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Exploring Carrollton Neighborhoods
Carrollton has a wide main street called Carrollton Avenue. It's lined with big, beautiful Southern live oak trees. The famous St. Charles Avenue Streetcar runs right down the middle of the avenue. The streetcar's home base is just a block away on Willow Street. You can also find the well-known Camellia Grill diner near Carrollton and St. Charles Avenues. The old neoclassical Carrollton Courthouse building is also on Carrollton Avenue. Today, it's a fancy living place for older adults.
People who live in Carrollton often say the name "kaa-rull-ton" or "kaa-ril-tin." But some folks from other parts of New Orleans might say "Karl-ton."
Right next to Carrollton are Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans. Many students and teachers live in Carrollton and enjoy its shops and restaurants.
Main Streets and Fun Spots
Carrollton has two special "main streets" where homes mix with businesses. Lower Carrollton has Maple Street. Here you'll find many restaurants, coffee houses, and cool shops. Upper Carrollton has Oak Street. This street used to have bigger stores. Now, it has more restaurants, shops, and the famous Maple Leaf Bar, known for live music.
In the northwest part of Carrollton, on Claiborne Avenue, is Marsalis Harmony Park. This park hosts art festivals and music events every year. There's a monument in the park to honor Carrollton residents who died in World War I.
The Black Pearl Area
The part of Carrollton along the riverfront has been known as "Black Pearl" since the mid-1900s. Mahalia Jackson, who was called the "Queen of Gospel music," grew up in the Black Pearl section.
This area was home to "Rising Sun Hall" in the late 1800s. It was a building used for meetings and dances. Some people think this hall might have inspired the famous song "The House of the Rising Sun."
Other smaller areas within Carrollton include Leonidas/Pigeontown, Riverbend, and East Carrollton.
A Diverse Community
Carrollton has always been a mix of different people. Even before the Civil War, "free people of color" owned homes here. Many immigrants from Germany, Ireland, and other parts of the United States also settled here in the 1800s.
Even though Carrollton joined New Orleans, some traditions continued. An informal "mayor of Carrollton" used to speak for the neighborhood. The United States Postal Service still delivers mail addressed to "Carrollton, Louisiana." The ZIP Code for the area is 70118.
During New Orleans Mardi Gras, the Krewe of OAK parades through Carrollton. The Phunny Phorty Phellows krewe also has a special "parade." They throw beads from the streetcar on January 6, which starts the Mardi Gras season.
Learning in Carrollton
Schools in Carrollton are part of the New Orleans Public Schools system.
Historic School Buildings
The Carrollton Courthouse is a very important building. It was designed by a famous architect named Henry Howard. He also designed other big buildings in Louisiana. The courthouse was finished in 1855. It served as the courthouse for Carrollton until the town joined New Orleans in 1874. After that, the building became a school! It housed McDonogh 23 elementary, Ben Franklin Senior High, and parts of Lusher Charter School and Audubon Charter School. It was empty for a while, but now it's The Carrollton, a special living facility.
A French-language school, Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans, also has a campus in Carrollton. It's located in the building that used to be James Weldon Johnson Elementary School.
Public Libraries
The New Orleans Public Library has a branch in Carrollton called the Nix Branch Library. It's a popular library in the area.
