Exploring Storyville: The Scandalous Past of New Orleans’ Jazz and Red-Light District

As part of our pre-trip journey into the rich and colorful history of New Orleans, we’ve been reading The Seamstress of New Orleans. The novel has been a fascinating guide, weaving together the city’s iconic culture with its complex history. One place that keeps popping up in the book is Storyville, a district infamous for legal prostitution and gambling. Intrigued, we had to find out if this place truly existed—and wow, what a story we uncovered!

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(Photo: Amazon)

The History of Storyville

Yes, Storyville was very real. From 1897 to 1917, this legalized red-light district was the beating heart of New Orleans’ nightlife. It was named after Alderman Sidney Story, who ironically didn’t intend for his name to become synonymous with debauchery. The district was bordered by Iberville, Basin, St. Louis, and North Robertson Streets, in the Tremé neighborhood.

Storyville was home to upscale brothels, bars, and dance halls that became legendary for their opulence and the incredible music that echoed through their halls. Brothels like Lulu White’s Mahogany Hall weren’t just places of indulgence—they were cultural hubs where jazz artists like Jelly Roll Morton played nightly, perfecting a new and uniquely American sound.

On the less glamorous backstreets, venues like Fewclothes’ Cabaret and Pete Lala’s offered working-class entertainment and a space for emerging jazz musicians to hone their craft. Storyville became a vibrant playground for creativity, innovation, and, of course, scandal.

Jazz and the Storyville Legacy

One of the most fascinating aspects of Storyville is its connection to the birth of jazz. Romanticized by early historians, the district has long been credited as the birthplace of this iconic music genre. It’s easy to picture the lively sounds of brass bands and parlor pianists filling the air, providing a soundtrack for the district’s colorful characters.

Even after the district was shut down by the U.S. Navy in 1917 (who were concerned about the moral health of sailors stationed in the city), its impact on jazz continued. Musicians like Tony Jackson, who performed at Frank Early’s My Place Saloon (still standing at 1216 Bienville Street), carried the Storyville sound to cities like Chicago, where jazz would evolve and thrive.

Louis Armstrong himself spoke fondly of the music he encountered in Storyville, crediting the district with inspiring some of his early passion for jazz.

The Rise and Fall of Storyville

The district’s closure didn’t spell the end of jazz in New Orleans. As jazz musician and educator Danny Barker once explained, the city remained a hotbed of talent, even after Storyville’s decline. Musicians found work on riverboats, in vaudeville shows, and in roadhouses across the South, spreading jazz far beyond New Orleans.

In 1939, much of Storyville was razed to make way for the Iberville public housing development. Today, little remains of the district, but its legacy lives on in New Orleans’ music, culture, and lore.

Find out more at Storyville District | New Orleans Historical

Visiting the Remnants of Storyville

For those of us who love diving into history, there are still traces of Storyville to explore. Frank Early’s My Place Saloon is one of only three remaining structures from this period, now a humble corner store at 1216 Bienville Street. The district’s history is also preserved in museums, like the Historic New Orleans Collection, where you can learn more about the musicians, venues, and vibrant culture of Storyville. In the French Quarters, you can also visit The New Orleans Storyville Museum | French Quarter, New Orleans LA

Standing at the intersection of Basin and Conti Streets, you can almost imagine the energy and excitement that once defined this neighborhood. It’s incredible to think about how much creativity was born in a place that also carried such a scandalous reputation.

Why Storyville Matters to Us

Reading The Seamstress of New Orleans and learning about Storyville has added so much depth to our anticipation for this trip. It’s not just about jazz, or the nightlife, or even the fascinating history of legalized vice—it’s about how all of these elements come together to make New Orleans the vibrant, soulful city it is today.

We’re even considering a visit to the Storyville exhibit at a local museum while we’re there to soak up even more of this history. Have you visited New Orleans or learned about Storyville? Let us know if there’s a can’t-miss spot we should add to our itinerary.