The Old Absinthe House Wood Print

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Jean Laffite’s Old Absinthe House with the Hotel Monteleone in the background.

Dating from approximately 1806, The Old Absinthe House bar at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville Streets is one of the oldest bars in New Orleans. It is famous for its cocktail, the absinthe frappe or “green monster”. This was also the location of the outlaw Jean Lafitte’s importing firm (pirate operation).

Legend suggests…

Thanks to a defeat at the hands of the US Navy, Lafitte’s ships were sitting empty in the harbor without enough sailors to sail them when Andrew Jackson visited Lafitte here in his 2nd floor office. Jackson asked Lafitte if he would command his ships and fight against the invading British forces. Lafitte agreed in return for full pardons for himself and any of his men who participated in the battle. Three weeks later, Lafitte and his men easily repelled the British and effectively ended the War of 1812.

Also worth noting, the Hotel Monte...

I'm a travel photographer that enjoys photographing United States architecture, nature, and transportation. As the 8th photographer in 4 generations of my family, I don't remember a time when photography was not part of my life. By the time I was five years old, I was standing on a stool in the darkroom, helping my dad develop pictures. It was my job to transfer the photos from the hypo to the water bath. I went to college for interior design. After I graduated, I had a long successful career as an art buyer and designer for a large home furnishings company. In 2006, I had a significant life change. My husband became a medical traveler, and I decided to put my career on hold to tag along. In the process, I found my roots again. What...