Key Players

Key Players in NOLA History

Baroness Pontalba (Micaela Almonester Pontalba)

1795-1874

Micaela Almonester Pontalba was born in 1795 and grew up in New Orleans, where she became the wealthiest woman in the city. However, as she grew older most of her adult years were spent in Paris. At age fifteen, she married her cousin Xavier Celestin de Pontalba. Knowing that Micaela's father had a great fortune, her new father-in law aimed to get his hands on it by acquiring a large dowry on behalf of his son. After they wed, Xavier's father and mother moved Micaela to Paris where she bore her husband five children. However, her father-in-law continued to have a disastrous effect on her marriage. Two years after marrying Xavier, Micaela was forced to sign all of her assets over to her husband, including those left to her when her own father passed, three years after her wedding. As time continued, Micaela began to fee; as if her marriage was a prison. She was not allowed to return to New Orleans without being ridiculed by her husband and his family and attempts for a legal separation came were unsuccessful. Angry at her attempts to protect her money, her father-in-law shot her with dueling pistols in November on 1834 at the Pontalba chateau in Paris. Later, that night he then took his own life with the same guns. Against all odds, Micaela survived after four gunshots to the chest. She was able to finally separate from her husband as well regain ownership of her property. She went on to build the Pontalba houses, a collection of elegant row houses on Jackson square in New Orleans, as well as a Parisian hotel that is now used as the American Embassy. Micaela died at the age on seventy-eight in 1874.

Walking into the French Quarter, it is hard to believe that none of Jackson Square could have looked this way without the Baroness. She created her buildings on either side and built the square park in the middle, all in Parisian design. The square is now a meeting point for artists, musicians, and performers, truly a center point for a lot of New Orleans culture. It's incredible that one strong and independent woman was able to create this.

Jackson Square at night

Performers playing in Jackson Square

Pontalba Houses, country's first apartments

http://www.frenchquarter.com/baronesspontalba/

Duc D'Orleans (Louis-Philippe-Joseph)

April 13, 1747-November 6,1793

Born in France, Duc D'Orleans was the cousin of King Louis XVI and the son of Louis. He became Duc de Chartres in 1752 and then succeeded to his father’s title in 1785. However, he lived away from the rest of the royal court due to hostility towards Marie-Antoinette, his cousin Louis' wife. In 1778 he served in the squadron of D'Orvilliers, and was involved in the naval battle of Ushant on \July 27th, 1778. Soon after, the queen forced him to be removed from the navy as she did not approve of his service. He then began giving gifts to the poor as well as throwing parties for the people. As his life continued, he began to express strong, liberal views and become more vocal of them. His views were seen unpopular by the queen and king who exiled him. Yet, he continued to work with other liberals and was said to be a major factor for huge movements in the French Revolution, such as the taking of Bastille. However, he denied this and tried to get out of France and to America with no avail. After again being accused of trying to steal the crown, he finally convinced the king to send the Duke to England so that he could accompany them. He then aimed to stay away from politics, but was unable as he was again accused of conspiring to get the crown. Later joining the army, Philippe fought briefly before serving at the Convention for Paris, again attempting to lay-low. However, on April 5th, 1792 he was arrested and then accused of trying to steal the crown on October 3rd after the start of the "Reign of Terror." He was tried on November 6th and guillotined that same day. 

http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/p/pevitt-philippe.html

Andrew Jackson

March 15, 1767-June 8th, 1845

Before becoming president, Jackson served in the Revolutionary War as well as the War of 1812. In the summer of 1814, Jackson's army attacked the British in Mobile, Alabama and the set his eyes on a Spanish post in Florida. He and his men won that battle in November and the British then sailed to New Orleans, to then be followed by Jackson in December. In order to prepare for the attack from the British, Andrew Jackson declared martial law stating, "those who are not for us are against us." He and his troops were abled to win the Battle of New Orleans, however, Jackson refused to life the declaration of martial law for several months, making many citizens of the city uncomfortable.

Being the war hero from the battle, the city created a statue of Andrew Jackson in Jackson Park. He sits on the middle, riding his horse with his hat tipped in the air. Legend says that many people disputed over which direction his had should be tipping to. However, some say that because he had an affair with Baroness Pontalba, even though he was married, she paid quite a bit to have his hat being tipped toward her apartment.

Jackson's statue, tipping his hat in victory

https://www.nps.gov/articles/andrew-jackson-and-martial-law-in-new-orleans.htm

Information Provided by Eryn Jacobs