Bywater in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Olivier Plantation House & St. Mary's Orphanage
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, August 20, 2022
1. Olivier Plantation House & St. Mary's Orphanage Marker
Located on this site from ca. 1820 to 1949 stood the original David Olivier creole-style plantation house. It was purchased by The New Orleans Catholic Association for the Relief of Male Orphans in 1840 in order to relocate from Bayou St. John the orphanage founded by Fr. Adam Kindelon, the first pastor of St. Patrick's Church. Beginning in 1848 the Brothers and Marianites of Holy Cross cared for and educated orphan boys at the later named St. Mary's Orphan Boys Asylum. In 1853 new brick buildings designed by Henry Howard were built around the house which stood at the center of a large courtyard. For more than 80 years, through the cholera epidemic of 1852, yellow fever epidemic of 1853, the Civil War, WWI and WWII, an estimated 9,000 boys lived here, often more than 300 at a time. St. Mary's closed in 1933.
In 1949, a group of architects and historians mounted an attempt to save the Olivier plantation house from demolition. While this effort was ultimately unsuccessful, it led to the founding of the Louisiana Landmarks Society in 1950, which continues today to advocate for the preservation of New Orleans' historic structures and neighborhoods.
Sponsored by The Congregation of Holy Cross 2016 In celebration of 168 Years of service in New Orleans
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion.
Location. 29° 57.613′ N, 90° 2.112′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Bywater. Marker is on Chartres Street north of France Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Orleans LA 70117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Olivier Plantation House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninth Ward WWI Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mello Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Naval Station (approx. half a mile away); Verret Plantation (approx. 0.6 miles away); Southern Pacific Railroad Yards (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cola(r) Residence (approx. 0.7 miles away); Saint Vincent De Paul Church (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, August 20, 2022
2. Olivier Plantation House & St. Mary's Orphanage Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 856 times since then and 432 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
