Early History of Faubourg Tremé

1725: Establishment of Morand Plantation

In 1725, Chevalier Charles de Morand established New Orleans’ first brickyard near present-day Bayou Road and Governor Nicholls Street. As a prominent landowner, Morand received a concession from the French Compagnie des Indes, which controlled “La Louisiane” at the time, to stimulate the colony’s economy. His plantation encompassed the area where Louis Park Hotel now resides, near today’s Saint Augustine Church.

Late 1700s: Transition to Tremé Neighborhood

After Morand’s death, his widow, Renée de la Chaise, married Alexandre Latil, another plantation owner. Family disputes led to an auction, with Morand’s son purchasing the land in 1772. Two years later, it was sold to Paul Moreau. Following Moreau’s death, his widow, Julie Prevost, managed the property until her death in 1794, passing it to her granddaughter, Julie Moreau.

Julie Moreau married Claude Tremé, a French hatmaker, in 1783. Recognizing New Orleans’ growth, Tremé began subdividing the plantation in 1798, selling lots to gens de couleur libres (free people of color) and European settlers. This development marked the beginning of the Tremé neighborhood, which became a vibrant, diverse community and a significant center for free people of color in New Orleans.

1810–1812: Incorporation into New Orleans

In 1810, New Orleans purchased the remaining plantation land for $40,000, further subdividing and selling plots. By 1812, Faubourg Tremé was officially incorporated into the city, fostering a rich cultural and social environment that contributed significantly to the city’s heritage.

The Dolliole Cottages

1816: Acquisition by the Dolliole Family

The Dolliole family, skilled builders and free people of color, purchased a large lot at 1125, 1127, and 1129 St. Philip Street for $670 on July 18, 1816, from the City of New Orleans Corporation.

1821: Construction of Creole Cottages

Jean-Louis Dolliole constructed three cottages on the property. In 1857, the three-bay Creole cottage at 1127 St. Philip (now the Armstrong Cottage) was sold to Louis Henry for $1,900. Key architectural features included a brick facade, gabled end, recessed open gallery facing Rampart Street, and distinctive Greek Key molding on the entrance. Lotus swirl wooden brackets and decorative cornices were added in the late 19th century.

Architectural Significance

Jean-Louis Dolliole was renowned for his rendition of the Creole cottage, employing Spanish colonial architectural designs mixed with unique French colonial building techniques using local materials. His work significantly contributed to the architectural landscape of New Orleans, particularly in the Tremé and French Quarter neighborhoods.

Cultural and Historical Context

Tremé: A Hub for Free People of Color

Faubourg Tremé holds the distinction of being one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the United States. It was a center for free people of color, who played a crucial role in the city’s cultural and economic development. The neighborhood was home to significant institutions such as St. Augustine Church, the oldest Black Catholic parish in the nation, and Congo Square, a vital cultural and musical hub where African traditions were preserved and celebrated.

The Dolliole Family’s Legacy

The Dolliole family’s contributions extended beyond architecture. As free people of color, they navigated and often circumvented restrictive civil codes to build generational wealth through real estate ownership and construction. Their legacy is evident in the numerous properties they built and owned, which stand as testaments to their craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit.