The streetworkers of old New Orleans

[NikkiBlossom]

E.J. Bellocq's Vintage Photos From New Orleans' Storyville, 1912

We've always been interested in how women lived in the past -- especially those who didn't make it into the history books. So when we came across these 1912 images of prostitutes in New Orleans' infamous Storyville district, we were immediately enthralled by their clothes, sense of camaraderie and bravery in consenting to be photographed.



The images were originally taken by photographer E. J. Bellocq, a reclusive New Orleans native most famous for his images of Storyville and New Orleans' opium dens, according to Susan Sontag's introduction to "Bellocq: Photographs from Storyville." Bellocq's Storyville photographs did not come to light until the late 1960s, when a young photographer named Lee Friedlander purchased and developed a collection of Bellocq's negatives. Some of the Storyville portraits are currently on display at the MOMA.
Thanks to redditor hellpony for pointing us to them.


LOOK: The street workers of old New Orleans:

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This story peeked my interests. Plus I love looking at history/vintange stories. Especially ones that don't really get talked about often.

 

[southsamurai]

storyville was an awesome experiment in human behavior! i know i know, it wasnt an experiment, and it was basically a red light district, but if you look back on it, it was so much more! i am always engrossed by it's history and stories.

 

[LaceyRoyce]

OMG i am moving to new orleans!

when i went last time i stayed at a little B&B that had vintage posters, photos and signs from that era. The bathroom was full of brothel related signs.

 

[southsamurai]

for the film minded: there was a movie with brooke shields and susan sarandon called "pretty baby" that is centered around storyville. it gets a little weird at points, but is an awesome film.

 

[NikkiBlossom]

OMG i am moving to new orleans!

when i went last time i stayed at a little B&B that had vintage posters, photos and signs from that era. The bathroom was full of brothel related signs.

I want to go visit New Orleans so bad. Its where my fathers side of the family is from. I grew up learning to cook traditional Louisiana/Creole dishes like crawdads, hushpuppies, gumbo and red beans & rice. And my a few of my aunts know how to do tarot card readings and such, but never taught me. I've never been there, but I feel connected to the culture so much.

 

[SoTxBob]

I loved living in 'The Big Easy'... it is deff a fun place if you want to party non stop in/around the quarter.

 

[AshaSnow]

OMG i am moving to new orleans!

when i went last time i stayed at a little B&B that had vintage posters, photos and signs from that era. The bathroom was full of brothel related signs.

I want to go visit New Orleans so bad. Its where my fathers side of the family is from. I grew up learning to cook traditional Louisiana/Creole dishes like crawdads, hushpuppies, gumbo and red beans & rice. And my a few of my aunts know how to do tarot card readings and such, but never taught me. I've never been there, but I feel connected to the culture so much.

But the real question is, how are you at jambalaya, cornbread, and grits? I moved away from Louisiana for a little bit and while I didn't really miss the people, I damn well missed the food. Now that I'm back in town I'm just so happy to have access to all the crawish. In fact I think I need to make a run for some crawfish tonight. Drooool.