Napoleon House

Mayor Girod House
In 1934, the famous building housed the "Napoleon Cafe and Grocery".
Location 500 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates 29°57′20.5″N 90°3′54″W / 29.955694°N 90.06500°W / 29.955694; -90.06500Coordinates: 29°57′20.5″N 90°3′54″W / 29.955694°N 90.06500°W / 29.955694; -90.06500
Area less than one acre
Built 1797
Architect Unknown
Architectural style Colonial, Other
Part of Vieux Carre Historic District (#66000377)
NRHP Reference # 70000254
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 15, 1970[1]
Designated NHL April 15, 1970[2]
Designated NHLDCP December 21, 1965

The Napoleon House, also known as the Mayor Girod House or Nicolas Girod House, is a historic building at 500 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Built in 1794 and enlarged in 1814, its name derives from the local legend that it was intended as a residence for Napoleon Bonaparte after his exile. A plan to bring Napoleon to Louisiana was halted by news of his death in 1821.[3] A highly regarded alternative history novel entitled Napoleon in America was conceived at Napoleon House and explores the aforementioned premise of it being Napoleon's first stop on his escape from St. Helena.

The building was also the home of Nicholas Girod (d. 1840), mayor of New Orleans. One of the city's finer private residences in the early 19th century, the building housed a local grocery at the start of the 20th century and since 1914 has operated as a restaurant called Napoleon House.[4] The upper floors of the building have been converted to apartments, where some of the original interior decorative elements may still be seen.[5]

It was declared to be a National Historic Landmark in 1970, as one of the city's finest examples of French-influenced architecture. It is a three story brick stuccoed building, with a dormered hip roof and cupola. Shallow ironwork balconies with austere styling adorn the second floor.[2][5]

The Napoleon House restaurant has an old-time New Orleans atmosphere and serves serves such traditional dishes as red beans and rice, gumbo, and jambalaya; it has been particularly known among locals for its muffaletta sandwiches. The bar is known for serving its "Pimms Cups" drinks as well as for the classical music played on the sound system.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Staff (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "Mayor Girod House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  3. ↑ Napoleon House: History
  4. ↑ http://www.napoleonhouse.com/about/
  5. 1 2 Patricia Heintzelman (July 15, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Mayor Girod House / Mayor Girod House - The Napoleon House" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 6 photos, exterior and interior, from 1975. PDF (1.55 MB)

External links

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