A final resting place in the shade of an oak. Under one of the oak trees [in City Park] stands a tomb in saddest decay. It is the last resting place of Louis Allard, a man of letters and a poet, who owned all that tract of land extending from the Bayou St. John to the Orleans Canal, and from the Metairie Road to the old toll-gate. The portion which is called the Lower City Park, was sold by Allard, previous to his death, to John McDonogh, the millionaire miser-philanthropist, of old New Orleans. At his death, McDonogh left it by will to the cities of New Orleans and Baltimore; the City of New Orleans acquired it in full ownership at the partition sale, and decided to devote it to park purposes. Allard, who was then very poor, was permitted, by special agreement, after the mortgage sale to continue to live at the place. He spent his declining days under his beloved oaks, dreaming of the past and reading his favorite authors. In compliance with his dying wish he was buried in this quiet spot under his favorite oak. The tomb is in full view coming from the Metairie Road. From The Picayunes Guide to New Orleans, published in 1903.l
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 23:12:32 +0000
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