New Digital Resource: Crescent City Pictorial

Amistad staff are pleased to announce a new digital resource created at Amistad in partnership with the Tulane University Digital Library.

In 1926, former educator and newspaper publisher O. C. W. (Orlando Capitola Ward) Taylor published a 28-page souvenir booklet dedicated “to the Progress of the Colored Citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana,” “America’s Most Interesting City.”  The Crescent City Pictorial was designed by O. T. Griffin and featured the photography of noted early twentieth century New Orleans photographer Villard Paddio.  This largely visual publication features images of homes of noted African American New Orleanians, busineses, schools, churches, and social organizations, and serves as one of the best visual documents of African American middle and upper class life in that time period.

Businesses include the United Industrial Life Insurance Company, Carr & Llopis Undertakers, Dorsey’s Valeteria, Flint-Goodridge Hospital, Geddes & Moss Undertaking and Embalming, George D. Geddes Co. Morticians, Astoria Hotel & Restaurant, as well as pharmacies, photography studios, and mercantile companies.  Social organizations, such as the San Jacinto Club, People’s Community Center, Pythian Temple, the Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club, and Lions Club, are also featured, as well as various schools, including New Orleans College, Xavier University, Straight College, and other elementary and secondary schools.

The Crescent City Pictorial is a truly rare book, with the only reported holdings at Amistad and LSU.  We are happy to share this important resource with the public as well work to create similar digital resources over the next couple years.

Image from the Crescent City Pictorial and may not be reproduced without permission.