NOLA School Architecture

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Charles E. Gayarre Elementary

The architecture in New Orleans is much like I expected. Gorgeous, depraved, gaudy, shabby, atrocious. The French Quarter, most of the city is not. An industrial wasteland? A little closer.  The shotgun-style homes are a trip, some are 12 feet wide and 80 feet long. City Hall looks like a cruel joke, as if some giant child played around with enormous cement legos and the government said what the hell? and put some offices in there.

On the other hand, some of the coolest architecture around is found at the schools. Note the elementary school above. It stands out.  It's an impressive structure, southwestern influence, terracotta roof, and lots of other flair that this picture doesn't do justice.

It's boarded up, crumbling apart. I've noted two other schools around town, equally impressive, both fading as well. Observe the reason:


The last thing that happened at this place was student registration, three weeks before Katrina. Then nothing else, ever.

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