colonialism:3

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colonialism:3 03.18.10

city form: history/culture

When New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French-Canadian colonizer Bienville, it was centered around Vieux Carré. Now more commonly referred to as the French Quarter, the neighborhood is famous for its colorful façades and balconies of elaborate metalwork (not to mention the bars of Bourbon Street). This characteristic architecture actually dates from when the Spanish ruled over New Orleans. Much of the original French colonial architecture was destroyed by the fires of 1788 & 1794. The city was rebuilt with more of a Spanish flare and strict new fire codes which required a continuous streetwall to create a fire barrier.