NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – We all know the French Quarter is rich in history, but something you may not know is where the oldest pool in the French Quarter is…
Nestled in the Audubon Cottages in the heart of the French Quarter is a very refreshing place to cool off.
“Down this row of ancient crepe myrtle trees, you can see the swimming pool at the end of the alley way,” Marc Becker with New Orleans Hotel Collection said.
The historic and luxurious Audubon Cottages is home to what’s believed to be the French Quarter’s oldest swimming pool.
“That’s the rumor that we’ve heard, even before we managed the property,” Becker said.
The pool dates back to the 1920’s.
“1920’s to now, that’s almost 100 years old. In the 1920’s, there was a Hollywood personality who lived in a cottage on this property. We believe he was the one to first establish this pool. The Hollywood personality goes name-less,” he said.
It took a lot of hard work to get the pool built.
“Interestingly enough, it would’ve had to have been hand dug because anywhere in the French Quarter. You can’t get machinery with these historic buildings. The pool was done by men with shovels and wheelbarrows. They had to move the dirt out, along narrow passageways in the Quarter.”
All the hard work nearly 100 years ago is certainly paying off for guests like the Cordeiro family today. The Cordeiro’s are visiting New Orleans from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
“It’s a pleasure and honor to find out that this is one of the first pools in the area,” Raymond Cordeiro said.
“I’m enamored by the brick work of the pool. It’s understandable that this would’ve been here for a very long time,” Madeline Cordeiro said.
Aly Cordeiro said, “It’s a really beautiful pool. We love it here.”
Brandon Cordeiro said, ” The pool makes me want to sing”.
This pool is quite old, but it’ll make you feel brand new.
The Audubon Cottages is located at 509 Dauphine Street.
For more information:
http://www.auduboncottages.com/