Lafitte's
Blacksmith Shop -- built between 1722 and
1732 by Nicolas Touze, is reputed to be the oldest
structure used as a bar in the United States. In 1722,
further building is recorded by a realty transfer set
down by one Don Andres Almonester. The structure and
fence are in the old French Provincial Louis XV or
Briquette-Entre-Poteauxe style used in French Louisiana.
The building escaped two great fires at the turn of the
19th Century, due to slate roofing. Such slates are
presently used by artists as canvases. Between 1772 and
1791, the property is believed to have been used by the
Lafitte Brothers, Jean and Pierre as a New Orleans base
for their Barataria smuggling operation. The legend is
based on the fact that the property was owned by the
family of Simon Duroche a.k.a. Castillon and the wily
privateer Captain Rene Beluche. Castillon was a rather
record-shy adventurer and entrepreneur. Captain Beluche
commanded his ship "Spy" in Lafitte's Baratarian fleet.
Although the owners of the property, Jean Baptiste
Dominica Joly LaPorte probably lived on the premises, it
is within reason that the Lafittes could have used the
place as city base for negotiations with potential
buyers of their goods. It is unlikely that a wealthy
Creole would agree to meet at home on Royal Street.
Bourbon and St. Phillip was probably regarded as a safe
and convenient neutral ground. Like most New Orleans
legends, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is a gumbo of truth
and French, Spanish, African, Cajun and American
embellishments.
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