The First Cemetery
the first cemetery|st. louis one|st. louis two|st. louis three|mortuary chapel
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New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718. A plan for streets was laid out by Adrian DePauger, of the Royal Engineers. A cemetery is indicated as having existed as early as plans drawn up in 1725. This first cemetery was located on what is now St. Peter Street, between Rampart and Burgundy Streets. Burials in this first cemetery were all below ground; because of the high water table of the low site, a ditch was dug around the cemetery. The earth from the ditch was used to raise the level of the ground inside. In 1742, a brick wall was built around the cemetery, replacing the low wooden rampart that had existed there. With a proper wall around it, the cemetery was re-dedicated with much ceremony on All Saints' Day, 1743. The Cabildo (the Spanish governing body) ordered the Rue St. Peter cemetery closed on August 27, 1784. A new cemetery (what is now St. Louis Number 1) was authorized in 1789. |
