Pete Fountain, a famous New Orleans’ jazz musician, grew up in a home on North White Street in New Orleans. This summer the Historic District Landmark Commission voted to allow a study as a historical landmark of the home at 820 N.White St. in Mid-City. The home has been vacant since he passed in 2016. Pete Fountain was a national and local New Orleans’ star since the 1950s. In fact, they say he is an important ambassador of New Orleans jazz. His widow describes the home “is the home of the very first notes played by Pete Fountain on his clarinet when he was 9 years old.”
The first proposal for the home to become a landmark was made by the Louisiana Landmarks Society. The home was built around the turn of the 20th century and originally was a double shotgun home. The musician lived at the home until 1951. It is in rough shape so it would need to have some upkeep done. The HDLC deputy director said that “any proposal for exterior work would be subject to review and approval by the HDLC.”
This is good news as it goes to renovations. The owner of the home will have to get New Orleans approval before making any visible changes or if they want just the lot any demolition will need to be approved.
