10 Preservation in Print • noveMBer 2012 www.Prcno.org

of Historic Preservation, 34 main streets of towns around the state and New Orleans neighborhoods have come alive with new businesses and ongoing restoration, all of which are featured in this book. This book could keep one traveling for months just within Louisiana. See page 21 for a glimpse. The latest book to come to my attention is Creole Trombone: Kid Ory and the Early Years of Jazz, set primarily in St. John Parish and New Orleans. Thank you author John McCusker for your research and determination to produce the fabulous story of Kid Ory, a book which reminds us yet again about why our city and state are so special. And thank you for including the house at 2133-35 Jackson Ave. in New Orleans’ Central City where Kid Ory lived, restored by the Preservation Resource Center with assistance from the city and the Wisner Fund. The PRC is honored to have played a part in the preservation of yet another important aspect of the rich cultural heritage of our city and state.

in the South or elsewhere. He points out that with 400,000 people New Orleans was the largest city in the South in the twenties, three times as large as Nashville and seven times larger than Charleston, and he presents an in-depth perspective about the historical development that contributed to the city’s unique identity and appeal.

This publicaTion spreads the good news about our special city and state, month after month, and it’s full of information about our rich cultural and architectural heritage. Recently my admiration and respect has been enriched yet again by several books that have reminded me what a special city New Orleans is, and as a state how special Louisiana is too. We are indeed fortunate that there are so many books produced about our region, and I would like to mention just a few, in thanksgiving and in hopes that others will take a look, if they are not already aware of these treasures. It cannot be denied that the Vieux Carré is at the heart of our city and its cultural heritage, that its very existence is unique for any city the size of New Orleans or even larger. Dixie Bohemia by John Shelton Reed sheds new light on how the Vieux Carré evolved in the 1920s as a cultural treasure, at a time when center cities everywhere were being leveled, and on how its preservation came about. Mr. Reed has written vignettes about the people pictured in the 1926 volume illustrated by William Spratling with text by William Faulkner titled Sherwood Anderson and Other Famous Creoles and about the period. It’s entertaining and also explains why so many artists, writers and preservationists had such a lasting impact on New Orleans, as opposed to other cities

From the DIRECTOR

Special City Special State

Patricia H. Gay

The novel Una Vida is inspirational from another perspective, that of a transplant from Argentina, who, with his family, embraces his adopted city as home — its music, architecture, food, daily life and characters that are not replicated anywhere else. Dr. Nicholas Bazan’s novel includes beloved landmarks throughout, including the Cornstalk Inn, which is an important part of the story. Perhaps it is shameless to enjoy such a book not only for its interesting plot but also for its obvious love of the city, but it is unavoidable. Rene Brunet, Jr., whose family has been in the movie theater business for more than a century, and urbanologist Jack Stewart have collaborated on a fascinating history of the movie theaters of New Orleans, There’s One In Your Neighborhood (see page 37). Next is the stunning book New Roads and Old Rivers about one of the loveliest parts of the state, Pointe Coupee Parish. The photographs by Richard Sexton are absolutely compelling, enhanced by text by Randy Harelson and Brian Costello. Dating from the 1720s, the area is rich with Creole architecture, character and culture. Anyone who looks at this book will plan a visit immediately. Another inspiring book for lovers of Louisiana is Louisiana Main Streets, out earlier this year and written by Anne Butler with photographs by Henry Cancienne. Through the impressive state Main Street Program administered by the State Office