Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
July 29, 1905
The Ladysmith News And Ingram News
Ladysmith, Ingram, Rusk County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
An observer describes the peculiar tendency of chimneys and walls in New Orleans' French Quarter to lean northward, unlike structures across Canal Street, with no explanation found.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LEAN TOWARD THE NORTH.
Peculiarity of Walls and Chimneys in New Orleans French Quarter.
"There are many strange and peculiar things about the French quarter of New Orleans," said the man who observes things, "but I know of none stranger than the fact that the chimneys and walls of the older buildings all have a tendency to lean toward the north. I have puzzled over this fact for a long time, but have been unable to arrive at any sensible solution of the peculiarity. Across Canal street the chimneys are either erect or if they are inclined to be out of plumb are just as likely to lean in one direction as another, while in French town they invariably tilt to the north.
On Charles street this anomaly is particularly apparent. Some of the chimneys closely resemble the leaning tower of Pisa, and it would seem that the slightest jar would send them toppling over. However, the old builders were good workmen. They put up walls and chimneys to stand and many of the other buildings which are now apparently crumbling to decay would last for many years if some care were taken of them. Speaking of the chimneys again, I have asked many people for an explanation. Few had noticed the tendency and none could suggest a reasonable cause."—New Orleans Times-Democrat.
Peculiarity of Walls and Chimneys in New Orleans French Quarter.
"There are many strange and peculiar things about the French quarter of New Orleans," said the man who observes things, "but I know of none stranger than the fact that the chimneys and walls of the older buildings all have a tendency to lean toward the north. I have puzzled over this fact for a long time, but have been unable to arrive at any sensible solution of the peculiarity. Across Canal street the chimneys are either erect or if they are inclined to be out of plumb are just as likely to lean in one direction as another, while in French town they invariably tilt to the north.
On Charles street this anomaly is particularly apparent. Some of the chimneys closely resemble the leaning tower of Pisa, and it would seem that the slightest jar would send them toppling over. However, the old builders were good workmen. They put up walls and chimneys to stand and many of the other buildings which are now apparently crumbling to decay would last for many years if some care were taken of them. Speaking of the chimneys again, I have asked many people for an explanation. Few had noticed the tendency and none could suggest a reasonable cause."—New Orleans Times-Democrat.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What keywords are associated?
New Orleans
French Quarter
Leaning Chimneys
Architectural Anomaly
Pisa Tower
What entities or persons were involved?
Man Who Observes Things
Where did it happen?
New Orleans French Quarter, Charles Street
Story Details
Key Persons
Man Who Observes Things
Location
New Orleans French Quarter, Charles Street
Story Details
Chimneys and walls of older buildings in the French Quarter lean toward the north, a peculiarity not seen across Canal Street; observer puzzled, no explanation found despite inquiries.