2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Historic District Landmarks Commission. To celebrate this milestone, the City Archives & Special Collections takes a look at the history of the HDLC, its formation, growth, and work protecting New Orleans’ architectural history.
The Historic District Landmarks Commission was codified by ordinance 5992 M.C.S., approved by the Mayor and City Council in June of 1976. This ordinance imbued the HDLC with the power to “regulate, preserve, and protect historic districts and landmarks in the City of New Orleans.”
Several Louisiana state laws passed earlier in the 1970s had ignited the creation of preservation districts but had not given commissions the authority to designate landmarks. In New Orleans, the Historic District Landmarks Commission was first established by ordinance 5643 M.C.S., passed on February 20, 1975. But it was not until after the passage of the strengthened Louisiana State Act 804 and the passage on June 24, 1976, of ordinance 5992 M.C.S. that the commission was able to begin functioning fully. Two years later, the Central Business District was created by ordinance 6699 M.C.S.
Read the language of the original ordinances by clicking on the images to the right. The most updated language governing the HDLC and the CBD HDLC can be found in Chapters 20-21 of the Home Rule Charter, and Chapter 84, Articles I-III in the Code of the City.
Timeline of Local Historic District Designations
The HDLC and CBD HDLC together regulate a total of 18 local historic districts outside of the French Quarter. (French Quarter properties fall under the jurisdiction of the Vieux Carre Commission, established in the 1930s.) These local districts are distinct from the National Register of Historic Districts, although their boundaries often overlap. The timeline below chronicles the designation of each local historic district through city ordinance, beginning in 1975. Read more about each designated historic district on the HDLC’s website.
Interactive Maps
The first two historic districts to be named under HDLC control were the Lower Garden District and the St. Charles Avenue District in 1975 and 1976. Following a rash of proposed demolitions in both of these areas, community members, city officials, and local preservationists fought for moratoriums on demolition permits. In 1973, architecture firm Curtis and Davis (whose buildings appear as historic landmarks later in this exhibit) suggested the creation of a “limited historic district” to protect St. Charles Avenue. Later that year, a Historic Preservation Study Commission recommended the City Planning Commission create two protected districts, St. Charles and the Lower Garden District. As moratoriums were extended and boundaries argued, the need for a separate city agency to oversee the process was agreed upon. Below shows a sample of a survey done of Jackson Avenue in the Lower Garden District. HDLC Surveys are available to view in the Archives by appointment.
Designated Historic Landmarks
In addition to designating historic districts, the HDLC is also responsible for the preservation of local historic landmarks. Researchers can view a full list of designated and nominated historic landmarks here. Below, the Archives highlights several designated landmarks throughout the City of New Orleans, granted protections through HDLC efforts. Among the first buildings to receive local landmark status were the two Doullut Steamboat Houses and the Pitot House, all three designated within the first year of the HDLC in 1977. Hover over images below to learn more.
Hibernia Bank Building
Address: 812 Gravier St./ 313 Carondolet
Designed by Favrot and Livaudais and built in 1921, the Hibernia Bank Building was declared a local historic landmark in 1978. At one time the tallest building in the CDB, the iconic tower sitting atop the building could be seen by ships navigating the Mississippi River. Today, the building remains in use as apartments.
Dullout Steamboat Houses
Address: 503 and 400 Egania
Two identical houses designed by Captain Milton Doullut, influenced by the architecture of steamboats, plantation houses, and a 1904 World's Fair Japanaese Exhibition. Construction of the first (1904) followed by the second (1912). Both were designated historic landmarks in 1977. Current addresses differ, as original home was moved. Both homes are privately owned and occupied.
Pitot House
Address: 1440 Moss
The Pitot House, built in 1799, exemplifies Louisiana plantation-home architecture. The residence was moved and restored prior to the creation of the HDLC. In 1977, the Pitot House became one of the first designation historic landmarks named by the HDLC.
Texaco Building
Address: 1501 Canal St.
Designed by Claude Hooten, built in 1951 and designated a historic landmark in 2009. Currently in use as the Marais Apartments.
Automotive Life Insurance Building
Address: 4140 Canal St.
Designed by Curtis & Davis, built in 1963, and designated a historic landmark in 2010. Still in use today as the Mid City Branch of the New Orleans Public Library.
Dryades Branch, New Orleans Public Library
Address: 1924 Phillip St.
Designed by William Burke, built in 1914, and designated a historic landmark in 1982. Currently part of the Dryades YMCA.
Whitney National Bank
Address: 2650 Canal Street
Designed by Parham and Labouisse, built in 1966, and designated a historic landmark in 2010. Currently in use as a Family Dollar store.
The Columns Hotel
The first big "win" for the HDLC was blocking the demolition of the Columns Hotel in 1977. Although the hotel is not a designated historic landmark, it lies in a historic district, ultimately granting preservation protections.
The HDLC was created to protect the enduring architectural value of these historic neighborhoods. Once the districts were designated, protections were extended to certain locations, regardless of landmark status. One such building was the Columns Hotel, located in the St. Charles Avenue District, and saved from demolition in 1977.
Site surveys done by the HDLC vary, but researchers will notice color designations given to individual properties. Notice the blue designation given to the Columns Hotel on the survey card below. This identifies it as a “Building of Major Architectural Importance.” For the purposes of the HDLC surveys housed in the Archives, the following color coded system was followed. HDLC may use updated systems now.
- Purple: Buildings of national importance
- Blue: Buildings of major architectural or historical importance
- Green: Buildings of local architectural or historical importance
- Red: Altered buildings that if restored would be Green or Blue-rated
- Gold: Buildings which contribute to the scene
- Grey/Black: Buildings which have no architectural or historical importance.
Click the button below to read more about HDLC Color Designations.
Researching in the City Archives
The City Archives holds records from the Historic District Landmarks Commission, as well as materials from other city agencies informing on historic districts and properties. The main categories of HDLC records are described below. Please see the finding aid for a list of all HDLC records in the Archives. HDLC materials are available to view in the Archives by appointment.
Surveys
Surveys of properties assessed for historic value and preservation. Materials have not been digitized.
Slides
Slides of individual properties date from 1974-2004. Only a sample of slides has been digitized.
Photographs
A small collection of photographs from 1979-2004 depicting individual addresses. These materials have not been digitized.
This map focuses on the series of over 30,000 slides collected by the HDLC from around 1979-2004. These slides may interest researchers looking for photographs of HDLC landmarks or properties located within HDLC districts.
It would be impractical to identify every property photographed in over 30,000 slides, which may be grouped by multiple categories. Use this map to browse and search for slides that have been identified by Street Block, Place, or Address.
View sample slides below. Additional slides are available and identified by street name. These can be located by searching the full collection finding aid.
ArcGIS Map of HDLC Slides
More Photographs
On July 12, 1978, the Historic District Landmarks Commission of the City of New Orleans contracted with Koch and Wilson Architects and Urban Transportation and Planning Associates, Inc. to complete a study of certain portions of the City of New Orleans. The study was conducted to determine areas that could be proposed to the National Register of Historic Places, areas not recommended as historic districts, and to identify buildings that would be candidates for national and/or local landmarks. This study, along with the original photographs taken during the assessment, were transferred to the Archives. “Recommendation for National Register Districts in Community Development Areas” (Call Number ARA150 1979sh) can be viewed in the Archives.
The Koch and Wilson Photograph Collection contains 272 images of different aspects of New Orleans architecture. The photographs have been digitized; originals are closed for research.
Search the Archives’ digital collections for photographs of other historic landmarks.
HDLC Reports in the Archives
Books on New Orleans Architecture
This post was created by Brittanny Silva in 2026.