Louisiana Is Home To One of The Oldest Roads In American History
Did you know that one of the oldest roads in American History is located right here in Louisiana? That's Right! New Orleans is home to one of the OLDEST roads in America. Let me introduce you to Bayou Road.
HOW OLD IS BAYOU ROAD?
Bayou Road was formed over 300 years ago.
WHAT WAS THE BAYOU ROAD USED FOR?
Bayou Road was used as a pathway to bridge the gap between Bayou St. John and the Mississippi River where trade took place. It was also one of the first brick roads laid down in New Orleans.
Native Americans had long used the path because it connected the two bodies of water. That path came to be known as Bayou Road, the oldest street in New Orleans.
The native population in this region showed the French the way, and they used Bayou Road to transport their supplies and commodities to and from the river, the hub of trade. It was because of the location of this elevated road and the accessibility that it provided to the waterways that New Orleans would be founded in the place where it now sits.
As the New Orleans area grew, plantations developed in the area; and much of the historic road was incorporated into other streets. But, most of the brick road survived.
There are currently many businesses located near or on Bayou Road. The businesses range from Pharmacies to restaurants, studios, markets, and so much more. You can see some of the businesses by CLICKING HERE.
Thanks to local businesses, artist support initiatives, and the presence of music and art have become more widely accepted in the region following Hurricane Katrina. Several noteworthy restoration initiatives have been implemented recently to revitalize the assets and histories that have characterized this area of New Orleans' history.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Bayou Road, its history, businesses, and more.