The Old Spanish Building
At the corner of Royal and St. Anne streets, is delineated in the above engraving as it now stands—and long may it remain as a memorial of other times.
Thirty years ago—which, comparatively would take us back three centuries in any European city—thirty years ago, one might have seen from that spot, then the centre of the city, long perspective street-scenes of a similar character. Innovation has now done her work—has absolutely trodden the city of the last century under her feet.
The Casa Blanca, at the corner of Bienville and Old Levee Streets, has also escaped the general demolition. It was once the courtly residence of Bienville, the first governor of Louisiana—the seat of power, and the centre of wealth, beauty and fashion in the province. It is still on its old foundation, standing “alone in its glory,” and the spirit of innovation has so far respected its ancient uses, that it is still a treasury of wealth, and a conservatory of the sweetness of our favored clime—a store house of sugar and molasses!