Joan of Arc b&w

Maid of New Orleans Statue
This lovely statue of the "Maid of Orleans" is now in her new place of honor -- the corner of St. Philip and Decatur Streets. M...
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Maid of New Orleans Statue
This lovely statue of the "Maid of Orleans" is now in her new place of honor -- the corner of St. Philip and Decatur Streets. Many years ago, this place was the site of the fruit complex of the French Market and an important section of New Orleans.

The statue was a gift from the people of France. It was sent to New Orleans in 1958 by Robert Whyte of the World House in New York and is a replica of the one in Place des Pyramids in Paris. When the statue arrived in the city, the city could not afford the $35,000 price tag to erect it. It therefore was stored for eight years.

In 1960, Charles DeGaulle, the President of France, visited our city and enjoyed it immensely. On his return to France, hefound citizens in four cities in France and New Orleans who would invest in a fund to erect the statue. In 1972, it was placed on a 17-foot pedestal on the Place de France at the foot of Canal Street. The statue was gilded in 1985. Unfortunately, with the building of the Casino, Joan of Arc had to be relocated. She will now be permanently located in the French Quarter, glistening in the sunlight for everyone to admire.

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