35 Found Snaps Capture Street Scenes of New Orleans in the Late 1950s

In the 1950s, New Orleans was a vibrant, culturally rich city known for its unique blend of French, Spanish, African, and American influences. The city was famous for its jazz music scene, with icons like Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino gaining national fame. The French Quarter remained a hub of nightlife and entertainment, while the city’s cuisine, featuring dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, was celebrated.

In addition to its vibrant cultural scene, New Orleans in the 1950s experienced significant economic growth, partly due to the expansion of the oil industry. The port of New Orleans remained one of the busiest in the United States, facilitating international trade.

However, the era was also marked by racial segregation and civil rights struggles, as African Americans fought for equality in a society that was deeply divided by race. The city also faced challenges such as urban decay in some neighborhoods and political corruption scandals.

Despite these challenges, New Orleans maintained its reputation as a city with a lively, resilient spirit. These vintage snaps were found by Mark Susina that captured street scenes of New Orleans in 1959.