Anna Skerrett

The newly installed historical district marker sits at the intersection of Carrolton Avenue and Oak Street

Oak Street, located near Tulane University’s Uptown campus, has been a community staple for shopping, restaurants and culture for nearly two centuries. 

The eight-block stretch between Carrollton Avenue and Eagle Street received new recognition as a historic district on April 16, a designation that recognizes the character and significance of one of Uptown’s most distinct main roads.

Richard Campanella, historical geographer, author and associate dean for research in the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment, was commissioned in 2021 by the Oak Street Merchants, Residents and Property Owners Association to research and record the street’s history. 

“I find Oak Street to be a delightful transect of urbanism at its best,” Campanella said. “From the mostly residential section starting at Broadway, to the mostly commercial section starting at South Carrollton.”

Oak Street was originally known as Fourth Street when first laid out in Charles F. Zimple’s 1833 plan for the town of Carrollton. The street received its current name in 1894, when New Orleans passed an ordinance renaming the streets of Carrollton following the town’s annexation.

After the realignment of the levee in 1891 and the electrification of the St. Charles streetcar in 1893, the road became increasingly popular and a hub for businesses and restaurants, transforming into the commercial strip it is today.

“Oak Street was ideal because it was slightly wider than adjacent streets, and because it connected directly with River Road in Jefferson Parish, making it convenient for people on both sides of the parish line,” Campanella said.

Described as one of New Orleans’ last “main streets,” Oak Street has maintained its mix of window shopping, local small businesses and restaurants, even as the city around it has evolved dramatically. 

The preservation of the main street character warranted a historical designation.

“I hope the designation helps folks appreciate Oak Street’s small-town main street ambiance, and encourages them to patronize its shops and eateries,” Campanella said.

Although he is not a New Orleans native, Campanella has spent decades researching the city.

“I did not grow up here, but have been researching and writing about the city and region for over 30 years,” Campanella said. “It’s my career dedication.”