Esplanade Avenue is one of the prettiest streets in New Orleans. There is one block that is ugly, near the Interstate, but the rest is oak lined and beautiful. Esplanade Avenue, known geographically as Esplanade Ridge, is one of the oldest roads in North America. For centuries, Indians used the road for portage. In 1754, Dubriel planted cane on Esplanade Avenue. This was a precursor of De Bore but came to nothing. Dubriel came from Dijon, France and was the general contractor for many public works, including levees. He built 2/3 of the levee without salary but it did protect his plantation. He was impressed by the Jesuit’s sugar cane and built a mill that destroyed his fortune. Bernard De Marigny, a famous Creole, had a house somewhere along the Esplanade. He had friends who were in politics and convinced these friends to give a pardon to Lafitte so Lafitte could talk to Andrew Jackson and offer Lafitte’s services to Jackson. Josie Arlington, one well-known Madame retired in 1909 in a house somewhere along Esplanade Avenue. Which house it was is not known but her final resting place is in Metairie Cemetery. Some say there was a red light that shone in front of her tomb at night.
