1920's - By 1920 the reputation of the French Quarter had become "raffish," it had fallen into decay and neglect, and many wanted to simply tear the whole area down. Luckily there were also those who wanted to keep the French Quarter alive: old families who were clinging to their traditions (and still spoke French!), new Italian and Sicilian families who had settled near the French Market in the early 1900's, artists and writers (such as William Faulkner, Sherwood Anderson, Lyle Saxon and other "Bohemians") who enjoyed the quaint charm as a backdrop to their creativity, and preservationists who began to realize the historical importance of this neighborhood which had managed to remain intact over the centuries by the very neglect it had endured. Soon the Vieux Carre began to gain attention and popularity again. Art galleries, theatres and tearooms opened up. The streets were repaired, electric streetlights were installed, and in 1925 the City passed an ordinance to preserve at least 1/3 of the Quarter. In the 1930's the French Market was rebuilt and the Vieux Carre Commission was established to protect the architecture of the various periods. More artists and writers, including Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, were attracted to this historic treasure.

A Victorian Double

1950's - After World War II the French Quarter began to change rapidly. It soon became a battleground between developers and preservationists, which has continued to this day. On one side, developers have come in, attempting to demolish old structures in the name of "progress," e.g. the plan to build an expressway along the riverfront. Although that plan was defeated after a ten-year battle, many old buildings have unfortunately been torn down elsewhere in the quarter. On the other side, preservationists have succeeded in obtaining "National Historic Landmark" status for the Vieux Carre, which has created a means of helping to preserve it. Lovely old residences, which had become rooming houses and warehouses, have been restored to their original charm and single-family status.

Today - Restoring the beauty of the quarter, making it safe and fun for visitors, has created a great interest in tourism. However, recently the commercial development has gone too far in that direction. Now many large residences and mansions are being sub-divided yet again, this time into condos primarily for out-of-town vacationers. Hotel expansion, though helpful for the tourists, has diminished some of the original character. The residential population has dropped from 11,000 in 1940 to 4000 in 2000.

The chance for visitors to get to see this living treasure is wonderful. However, there must be a way to accommodate both the tourist AND the attraction. By now most of the original French families, the Italian and Sicilian families, the artists and writers have left, largely due to rising rent and real estate costs. That leaves the preservationists and those admirers who appreciate the historical quality of the Quarter to take charge of its future.