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Home/Featured/Pitot House
tree white house with columns wood fence Pitot House sign

Pitot House

The Pitot House in New Orleans stands along Bayou St. John, an early trade route to the city. The calm bayou allowed boats to paddle from the Gulf of Mexico, through Lake Pontchartrain to the back side of New Orleans, avoiding the challenging currents of the Mississippi River.

blue water of calm bayou with blue bridge with skyline of New Orleans in the distance
View of New Orleans from Pitot House on Bayou St. John

The first Europeans settled along Bayou St. John ten years before the founding of New Orleans in 1718. “New Orleans is actually where it is because of this bayou,” explained Jamie Barker, a tour guide at the Pitot House. “After the City of New Orleans was built, people became city dwellers,” Barker said. And the old settlement remained on the outskirts of the growing city.

yellow flowers and gardens in front of 2 story while columned Pitot House

how the pitot house got its name

The historic Bayou St. John home was built in 1799 by Bartholome Bosque, a Spanish merchant. James Pitot was the third owner of the two-story brick and plaster house, purchasing it in 1810 from Marie Tronquet Rilliuex, the great-grandmother of painter Edgar Degas.

painting of colonial era man in blue coat with red vest.
Painting of James Pitot on display in the house museum
view through window to bayou and homes outside
View of Bayou St. John from inside the home
early planning map for city of New Orleans
Early plan for New Orleans with bayous and canals leading to French Quarter

Pitot was the most famous owner of the house. He became the third mayor, and the first American mayor of New Orleans in 1804, one year after the Louisiana Purchase. It was an appointed post for Pitot. But his term lasted only one year, “when he ran for office, he was defeated,” Barker said. But Pitot continued to hold public office, serving as a probate judge. He was also president of the Orleans Navigation Company, which managed boat traffic on Bayou St. John and other canals into the city.

antigue furnishings, fireplace, chair, mantle and desk
Antique furnishings on display in Pitot Museum

a cool design for the southern heat

The house was built in the French Colonial West Indie style. It features covered porches on both the first and second floors. Each room has tall windows and doors that open to the outside porches. “It was built like this because of the climate of New Orleans,” Barker explained. Adding, “You would not believe the cross-breezes you get when you open these doors front and back. It’s really lovely. The only drawback is the humidity.”

historic pitot house featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana feature.

getting there

The Pitot House and Museum is located at 1440 Moss Street in New Orleans. Call (504) 482-0312 for tour times and event information.


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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        October 25, 2022
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        Categories: Featured, New Orleans

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