Bayou St. John in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Old Portage

Photographed by Patricia Lawrence, May 16, 2012

1. The Old Portage Marker

Inscription. Short trail from Lake Pontchartrain to River shown by Indians to Iberville and Bienville, 1699. Winding trail used by early travelers to city. From Bayou St. John it led to N. Broad, Bayou Roads, Vieux Carre to Mississippi River at site between Dumaine and Gov. Nicholls Sts.

Erected 1963 by The Department of Commerce and Industry [of LA].

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1699.

Location. 29° 58.709′ N, 90° 5.285′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Bayou St. John. It is at the intersection of Moss Street and Bell Street, on the right when traveling south on Moss Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Orleans LA 70119, 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: Our Lady of the Rosary Rectory (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Pitot House (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Pitot House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes (approx. ¼ mile away); In Memory of All American Veterans (approx. 0.3 miles away);

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The Croatian Benevolent Association of Louisiana (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jeanne Jugan (approx. 0.3 miles away); History of United Cab (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Pitot House (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Additional keywords. Bayou, Indian Trail

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, April 16, 2010

2. The Old Portage Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 14, 2026

3. The Old Portage Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2012, by Patricia Lawrence of Gaithersburg, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,157 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 5, 2012, by Patricia Lawrence of Gaithersburg, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 7, 2017. 3. submitted on March 1, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.