| Until the year 1900, the house on our lot was a smaller creole cottage. It was built in the early 1800’s, and occupied for the second half of the 19th century by the family of Lucien Mansion, a wealthy indigo plantation owner. As best we can tell, in 1900, the old house was bought by Mlle. Eugenie Begault, who lived next door, at 912 North Rampart. She tore the original cottage down, and in its place, built the 2-story Victorian House we have here today. She sold it upon completion to Alfred Oechmichen, who lived here until 1926.
The years after the 1920’s are somewhat of a mystery to us. The house has carried a rooming house license since that time. That may indicate that, after the single-family occupation of the property by Mr. Oechmichen, the building may have been used as a post-Storyville “house of ill-repute,” or an 20th century “bunny ranch,” if you will. The jury is still out on that, meaning, we haven’t finished combing the archives at the New Orleans public library for evidence. Regardless, it’s a point of interest.
The house is certainly charmed, as well as charming. She has survived the separate fires that took the metaphorical lives of the buildings immediately adjacent to her. By the mid 20th century, the theatre to the left, and the house to the right burned to the ground, leaving our beautiful “painted lady” unscathed. Come stay with us! Let us be your home base, as you experience the variety of things you can do from The Victorian House, on Rampart Street, in the historic French Quarter!
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