The cover reads, Images of America. It also reads, New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line. Inside it is excitement. For within the 128 pages are photographs. And, more photographs. There are pictures of streetcars. Monuments. Buses. New Orleans streets. Buildings. Motormen. Conductors, and all kinds of interesting stuff from the past. Oh, the cover also reads, Edward J. Branley.
New Orleans has always been famous for burying our dead above ground. We have also been famous for Mardi Gras and the French Quarter. That's expected seeing that the city is about three hundred years old, or so. Three hundred years of great food, millions of tourists and Bourbon Street. That's New Orleans!
But, streetcars are also New Orleans and Branley shows the reader what he's talking about. He proves that streetcars is New Orleans with his collage of images and text. One of the first cities to embrace Mardi Gras, New Orleans was also one of the first to welcome streetcars. And, after such a love affair, Branley shows us why it was a mistake to eliminate one of the most popular lines in the Crescent City. Though the St. Charles line always remained, the Canal Street run should have never been eliminated.
Branley's work breaks down the different eras of streetcar usage in New Orleans, He divides up the different eras into viable distinctions. 1861-1895, 1895-1922 and so on. The last period is entitled, Rebirth: 2003-.
This book is a gem for all who can appreciate a good photograph. It is also a good selection for history buffs. Era readers. Southern Hospitality readers. South Louisiana Residents.... New Orleanians.... Students.... Teachers and Professors...Everybody... Pick it up, it certainly is priced right.
