Cassie Pruyn at Octavia Books
Cassie Pruyn will celebrate the release of Bayou St. John: A Brief History at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, at Octavia Books (513 Octavia Street). The book offers a comprehensive narrative history of the most beloved waterway within the city.
Bayou St. john played a significant role in the neighborhood of the same name, fueling debate over the waterway’s use, control and ownership for centuries. Native Americans first used it as a trade route. Later, it became a backdoor entrance for settlers to the present-day French Quarter. As commercial use declined, residents witnessed a progressive shift toward recreation.
Following the Civil War, tourists flocked to witness Marie Laveau’s voodoo ceremonies. The early twentieth century brought two amusement parks. And events like the Bayou Boogaloo music festival draw thousands of visitors. Cassie Pruyn reveals this evolving story.
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