Marigny, relieved of his wealth, was forced to sell his family’s plantation which was located just downriver from the present day French Quarter. To make a tidy profit, it was subdivided into long and skinny residential plots. Being a colorful Creole, Marigny named the streets in a whimsical fashion. This suburb was separated from the French Quarter by the the walls and ramparts that the Spanish had built.

The first street, which runs perpendicular to the river, was named “Champs Elysees” (more than likely after the street in Paris – which it bore no resemblance to.) His family’s mansion was located between this street and one he named for himself – “Marigny.” He named one Craps, after the game he loved so much that he lost his family’s wealth playing it. He named another Rue d’ amour, or “Love street.” And another he called Rue Des Bons Enfants or “Good Children street.” Innocent sounding names until you realize “Love Street” was a popular spot for Creoles to construct cottages for their mistresses to live, and “Good Children” was the boundary to the swamps – where the children of those mistresses spent their days playing and fishing. Though Marigny didn’t play music, he loved it greatly, so there is Music Street, and for a time there was a street called “Poets.” Legend states that Marigny’s poetry was so bad it provoked a duel.

As Marigny’s little suburb grew, “Craps Street” became a major thoroughfare, and three churches sprouted up – much to the embarrassment of the parishioners. They petitioned the city for the street to be renamed. And so, in 1850, Ordinance 395 was passed through the city council, renaming 75 streets in New Orleans. By that time, the old Spanish Ramparts had been torn down and all the streets had been connected past Elysian Fields. So Marigny’s whimsically (and perhaps sarcastically) named streets that ran parallel to the river took the names of the corresponding streets in the French Quarter. Fortunately, we are still graced with many of Marigny’s whimsical names, including Treasure, Abundance, Agriculture, Hope, Duels, and Law. So take a minute to thank Marigny for his whimsy and humor when you walk around the neighborhood bearing his name!

Want more info? Check out the excellent book Frenchman, Desire, Good children by John Churchill Chase.