Corporate Headquarters (Detroit, MI) New Orleans, LA 1100
Poydras, Suite 2605 New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean
Baptiste La Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. At first, it was nothing
more than a trading camp on a curve in the east bank of the
Mississippi River. Later, the city was organized into a
rectangular, fortified community, which still exists today as
the French Quarter. The resulting streets were named for French
royalty and nobility. New Orleans is famous for its French
Quarter, with its mixture of French, Spanish, and native
architectural styles. The Mardi Gras - a week of carnival held
in New Orleans before the beginning of Lent - is the most
spectacular festival in the U.S. and is a popular tourist
attraction. Tourism has grown rapidly in recent years, and New
Orleans hosts more than seven million visitors annually.
Selected Famous Natives and Residents: