Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop facts for kids
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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in East New Orleans
Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 941 Bourbon St., New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Built | 1770s |
| Architectural style | French Colonial |
| Part of | Vieux Carre Historic District (ID66000377) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000255 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHLDCP | December 21, 1965 |
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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is a very old building in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It stands at the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Philip Street. It was probably built as a house in the 1770s. This was during the time when Louisiana was controlled by Spain. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing in New Orleans today.
Contents
The Legend of Jean Lafitte
Many stories say that a famous privateer named Jean Lafitte once owned a business here. This was in the early 1800s. A privateer was like a pirate, but they had permission from a government to attack enemy ships.
People believe Lafitte and his brother, Pierre Lafitte, used this shop for secret plans. They might have used it to hide goods they had taken from ships. However, there are no official papers to prove this. It was only much later that Jean Lafitte's actual signature was found. This finally showed how his family name was spelled: LAFFITE.
Why is it Called a Blacksmith Shop?
The name "Blacksmith Shop" might not be just a coincidence. A blacksmith is someone who works with metal, often making and repairing things like horseshoes. Jean's older brother, Pierre Lafitte, was a blacksmith. Also, one of their friends, Renato Beluche, might have owned this building at one time. This suggests that a real blacksmith shop could have been here.
A Place of Mystery and History
Many people say Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is one of the most haunted places in the French Quarter. Visitors often share stories of strange sounds or sightings inside the old building.
From Old Shop to Popular Cafe
In the mid-1940s, a man named Roger 'Tom' Caplinger took over the old, empty shop. He turned it into a cafe called Café Lafitte. This cafe quickly became a very popular spot at night. It attracted many artists, writers, and other creative people. Famous visitors included Noël Coward and Tennessee Williams.
Caplinger did not have full ownership of the building. So, the building was sold in 1953. Soon after, Caplinger opened another cafe nearby called Café Lafitte in Exile. This new cafe is still open today.
A National Historic Landmark
In 1970, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. The building is also a rare example of briquette-entre-poteaux construction. This is a special French way of building with bricks placed between wooden posts.
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in Stories
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop appears in the historical novel Anthony Adverse by Hervey Allen. In the book, the "blacksmith shop" was shown as a secret place. It was a cover for other activities carried out by the Lafitte brothers and their associates in New Orleans.
See also
In Spanish: Herrería de Lafitte para niños
