Garden District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Curtis Plunkett House
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 15, 2024
1. Curtis Plunkett House Marker
Inscription.
Curtis Plunkett House. . In 1889, octogenarian pharmacist Hermann Curtius purchased a prime vacant site on First Street. He then commissioned New Orleans architect James Freret to design a residence as a retirement home for him and his sister Caroline. The aging German-born siblings had lived together for years above the family's downtown drug store. Unfortunately, Hermann died soon after moving into the fashionable Garden District home. Caroline continued to live there until 1901 when she succumbed to old age. The property fell into disrepair during the following decades, serving as a multi-family dwelling and losing its salient Eastlake stylistic features. In 2009 when Laura and Bill Plunkett purchased the house, the porch, its most elaborate and prominent feature, was gone. Fortuitously, Tulane University has Freret's original watercolor drawing, documenting the original appearance. Using this resource as a guide, the new owners and their experts reconstructed the rich ornamentation and intricate detailing of the side porch. Finally, they painted the exterior with period-appropriate multi-chrome highlights.
In 1889, octogenarian pharmacist Hermann Curtius purchased a prime vacant site on First Street. He then commissioned New Orleans architect James Freret to design a residence as a retirement home for him and his sister Caroline. The aging German-born siblings had lived together for years above the family's downtown drug store. Unfortunately, Hermann died soon after moving into the fashionable Garden District home. Caroline continued to live there until 1901 when she succumbed to old age. The property fell into disrepair during the following decades, serving as a multi-family dwelling and losing its salient Eastlake stylistic features. In 2009 when Laura and Bill Plunkett purchased the house, the porch, its most elaborate and prominent feature, was gone. Fortuitously, Tulane University has Freret's original watercolor drawing, documenting the original appearance. Using this resource as a guide, the new owners and their experts reconstructed the rich ornamentation and intricate detailing of the side porch. Finally, they painted the exterior with period-appropriate multi-chrome highlights.
Erected by Garden District Association.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 29° 55.713′ N, 90° 4.77′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the Garden District. It is on First Street south of Camp Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1121 First Street, New Orleans LA 70130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jefferson Davis (within shouting
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
