From 1852 to 1874, before the town of Carrollton was annexed by the city of New
Orleans, it was the seat of government for Jefferson Parish and this building served
as its courthouse. (Before 1852, the seat of Jefferson Parish had been in the town of
Lafayette--now the Garden District--but the city had annexed Lafayette in 1852.) The
town of Carrollton was annexed by New Orleans in 1874 and, several years later, the
city purchased the Courthouse and renovated it to make it a school. In 1889, ready
for its first students, it was named after the man whose bequest had made the
purchase possible and became John McDonogh No. 23 school. It remained one of
the many McDonogh schools in New Orleans until 1950.
After that, the building was vacant for several years, then opened once more as a
school, this time as Benjamin Franklin Senior High School. In 1990, requiring more
space, Ben Franklin School moved onto the campus of the University of New Orleans
on the lakefront.
For a few years, the building was used as an extension of the Lusher Elementary
School. It is now home to the Audubon Charter School, still serving the children of
New Orleans, as it has for over 120 years.
The photo above and the next three below were taken in the early 1900's, when it
was McDonogh No. 23.
Orleans, it was the seat of government for Jefferson Parish and this building served
as its courthouse. (Before 1852, the seat of Jefferson Parish had been in the town of
Lafayette--now the Garden District--but the city had annexed Lafayette in 1852.) The
town of Carrollton was annexed by New Orleans in 1874 and, several years later, the
city purchased the Courthouse and renovated it to make it a school. In 1889, ready
for its first students, it was named after the man whose bequest had made the
purchase possible and became John McDonogh No. 23 school. It remained one of
the many McDonogh schools in New Orleans until 1950.
After that, the building was vacant for several years, then opened once more as a
school, this time as Benjamin Franklin Senior High School. In 1990, requiring more
space, Ben Franklin School moved onto the campus of the University of New Orleans
on the lakefront.
For a few years, the building was used as an extension of the Lusher Elementary
School. It is now home to the Audubon Charter School, still serving the children of
New Orleans, as it has for over 120 years.
The photo above and the next three below were taken in the early 1900's, when it
was McDonogh No. 23.
| The Old Carrollton Courthouse ~McDonogh No. 23 School~ ~Ben Franklin Senior High School~ |
The land where the town of Carrollton was located has an interesting history. It was
once a part of Jean Baptiste LeMoyne, Sier de Bienville's original 1719 land grant.
And, later, it became a part of the huge Macarty Plantation. In the 1830's, investors
John Slidell, Laurent Millaudon and Samuel Kohn purchased part of the plantation
and hired planner Charles Zimpel to create a street grid for the new community of
Carrollton. By the 1850's, Carrollton was booming and was a favorite weekend
get-away for New Orleanians.
once a part of Jean Baptiste LeMoyne, Sier de Bienville's original 1719 land grant.
And, later, it became a part of the huge Macarty Plantation. In the 1830's, investors
John Slidell, Laurent Millaudon and Samuel Kohn purchased part of the plantation
and hired planner Charles Zimpel to create a street grid for the new community of
Carrollton. By the 1850's, Carrollton was booming and was a favorite weekend
get-away for New Orleanians.
| The Carrollton Courthouse, ca. 1950's. |
| The famous New Orleans architect, Henry Howard, designed the Carrollton Courthouse. He is well known as the architect who designed, among many other homes and buildings, Madewood and Nottoway Plantations. He was one of the most successful and famous architects who ever called the city home. He had immigrated to New Orleans from County Cork, Ireland. |
| Photo of 9th District Police Station is thanks to Infrogmation @ Wikimedia.Commons The link to this page is: http://old-new-orleans.com/NO_Old_Carrollton_Courthouse.html Back to Old New Orleans Whispers - Home |
| Carrollton Courthouse - Audubon Charter School, 2007 |
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| 9th District Police Station and Jail on Short Street behind the old Carrollton Courthouse, ca. 1900. |
