Edward J. Branley Knihy

The book highlights the significant impact of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart on education in New Orleans over the past 150 years. It features a rich collection of photographs, illustrations, and maps that illustrate the institute's journey from the French Quarter to Gentilly. By educating young men from various neighborhoods, the Brothers have played a crucial role in shaping the identity and resilience of the city, contributing to its vibrancy and ability to overcome challenges.

The narrative evokes nostalgia for the era of street railways, highlighting Canal Street as a symbol of the city's evolution. It captures the juxtaposition of past and present, where modern buses coexist with remnants of historic streetcar infrastructure, including steel rails and electric wires. This setting serves as a backdrop for exploring the transformation of urban life and the enduring impact of its transportation history.

Since its founding in 1718 by the LeMoyne brothers, New Orleans has cemented its status as one of the busiest ports on the continent. Producing many unique and fascinating individuals, Colonial New Orleans was a true gumbo of personalities. The city lays claim to many nationalities, including Spaniards Baron Carondelet, Don Andres Almonester, and French sailors and privateers Jean Lafitte and Dominique Youx. Businessmen like Daniel Henry Holmes and Isidore Newman contributed to local flavor, as did musicians Buddy Bolden, Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Louis Prima. War heroes include P.G.T. Beauregard and Andrew Jackson Higgins. Avery Alexander, A.P. Tureaud, and Ernest Morial paved the way for African Americans to lead the city. Kate Chopin, Lafcadio Hearn, Ellen DeGeneres, Mel Ott, Archie Manning, and Drew Brees have kept the world entertained, while chefs and restaurateurs like Leah Chase and the Brennans sharpened the city's culinary chops. Legendary Locals of New Orleans pays homage to the notables that put spice in that gumbo.

The book explores the rich history of a beloved New Orleans department store that served the community for nearly a century. It highlights its early role in supplying fabric to the infamous Storyville district and features its iconic lunch counter, which attracted culinary legends like Julia Child. Through vintage photographs and insider interviews, historian Edward J. Branley vividly recounts the store's legacy, showcasing its influence on local culture and the shopping experience in New Orleans.

The narrative chronicles the establishment of New Orleans' first department store, Maison Blanche, founded in 1897 by S.J. Shwartz, Gus Schullhoefer, and Hartwig D. Newman. With financial support from banker Isidore Newman, they transformed a dry goods store into a retail landmark. The 1908 MB Building, once the city's tallest, housed the store and became iconic. Emile Alline, a key employee, introduced the beloved Christmas character "Mr. Bingle" in 1947, enchanting generations. Today, the historic site is home to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

From the days when Buddy Bolden would blow his cornet to attract an audience from one New Orleans park to another, to the brass bands in clubs and on the streets today, jazz in New Orleans has been about simple things: getting people to snap their fingers, tap their toes, get up and clap their hands, and most importantly dance! From the 1890s to World War I, from uptown to Faubourg Treme and out to the lakefront, New Orleans embraced this uniquely American form of music. Local musicians nurtured jazz, matured it, and passed it on to others. Some left the city to make their names elsewhere, while others stayed, playing the clubs, marching in the parades, and sending loved ones home with "jazz funerals." Older musicians mentored younger ones, preserving the traditions that give New Orleans such an exciting jazz scene today.