Sky Parlor Hill
This area was originally Sky Parlor Hill. During the Civil War, locals entrapped by the Siege (1863), would gather here to watch the battles between Confederate and Union forces. This is depicted in the painting "From Sky Parlor Hill" along with the original St. Paul Catholic Church.
Saint Paul Catholic Church
The original Saint Paul building, built in 1849, was damaged beyond repair by the tornado of 1953. The new Saint Paul building was completed in 1957.
Growing and Building
In 1894 Sky Parlor Hill was removed to build a new Post Office and Customs House for the growing city. William Alfred Freret, former Confederate soldier, designed the building along with many others including the Old Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
Taming Rivers
Currently the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Commission and Mississippi Valley Division use this building as their headquarters. The Mississippi River Commission manages the Mississippi River drainage basin that covers 41 percent of the continental United States.