With roots dating back to the late 1700s, the French Market continues to be a thriving site of produce and commodity exchange. As the City of New Orleans’ population expanded, so did the need for public markets. Beginning in the 1830s, and continuing over the next two decades, twelve additional public markets were constructed across the City. By 1911, thirty-four municipally owned public markets had been built. The 1918 census reported that New Orleans had more operational public markets than any other city in the country. WPA funding assisted in the renovation and reimagination of many public markets in the 1930s, with some of the structures still standing today.