Jackson Square, a little background history

Jackson Square is the location of a couple of scenes from my book. Also known as Place d'Armes, it is located in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Early New Orleans was centered around this area in the pattern of typical european cities and town squares. After the Battle of New Orleans, it was renamed Jackson Square after the hero of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson. The statue of Jackson was erected in 1856. It was placed at the parks center. St.Louis Cathedral stands behind the square while two other large buildings flank either side. The Cabildo sits on the left and the Presbytere sits on the right which is now a museum.

The park is now a gathering place of painters, artists, street artists and the like. At the forefront of the park is where one would go to catch a carriage ride through the French Quarter. This area has been the inspiration of many writers and painters as well as being in the scenes of many movies.

Learn more about this interesting place in history in my book and make plans to visit New Orleans and explore Jackson Square and the French Quarter.

Lafitte's Black Box now available on Kindle!

My book is now available on Amazon's Kindle. Please check it out at
http://www.amazon.com/Lafittes-Black-Box-Boit-ebook/dp/B003TLMXTI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1277320492&sr=8-2-catcorr
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The Devil's Punchbowl and Natchez

The Devil' Punchbowl is a place that was written about in my book. It is located just north of Natchez past Natchez Cemetery. It was created by nature and is a deep semi-circular hole that cut's deeply inward into the bluff. It was hollowed out by the Mississippi River over time. It's been used as a hideout by pirates in the past or other outlaws that wanted to elude those chasing them. It has it's place in Natchez folklore as a mysterious place. When I was growing up, I heard all kind of tales about the bowl. I was told a goat like creature roamed about in the bowl, half human and half goat. I heard about rituals performed at night and people disappearing, never to be seen again. When you matched that with the turning angel and the other legends and folklore of the Natchez area, your young imagination could really run wild.

The 70's and 80's were really a fun time to grow up in that area. Lot's of memories in that historic town. My friends and I did a lot of exploring, many of the areas are no longer there. Places have been torn down and new buildings now stand in their place. There are many books about the Natchez area to read.

The Mississippi Steamboat Era in Historic Photographs: Natchez to New Orleans, 1870-1920 by Joan W. Gandy and Thomas H. Gandy

Antebellum Natchez by D. Clayton James

The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

And don't forget about my book, Lafitte's Black Box!



The Devil's Punchbowl is privately owned and that information needs to be shared with the readers.

The Turning Angel

The Turning Angel is a monument placed not far from main road that runs by Natchez Cemetery. The monument is written about in my book and has been written about by Greg Iles and is the name of one of his books. The monument was placed there in 1908 by an employer in Natchez who put it there to look over the graves of his employees that had been killed in an explosion.

When I was younger, there had already been a phenomenon attached to the monument, that it turned. This was supposed to occur at night when a light was shined on it or as you passed in a car. It cannot be counted the numerous thousands of times scared teens have tried this out, on a dare or just trying to impress a young girl. You were especially brave if you, God forbid, got out and jumped the wall and went over to touch the Turning Angel.

The Turning Angel is one of many things or places you can explore in my book. After you read my book, book a trip to Natchez. It's a wonderful historic town that's fun for a weekend getaway.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop from the book, Lafitte's Black Box

In my book, Lafitte's Black Box, you'll get to know this famous New Orleans landmark a little better. Once a pirate gets his treasure, if it's not gold or pieces of eight, what does he do with it if he can't bury it. He's got to sell it, right? Much of what Jean Lafitte and his pirates captured from the Spanish ships were durable goods such as fine clothing, china, silverware, furniture, etc. Many of the things the fine citizens of New Orleans wanted and Jean Lafitte could give them a bargain.

Much of the negotiating and business was done by his brother Pierre at thier business front, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. Located in the French Quarter on the corner of Bourbon St. and St Philip St. Built sometimes before 1772, this building still stands and now entertains patrons of a different sort as this is now a popular bar.

Discover Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in my book and if you are ever in New Orleans, stop by and tell them that you read about this place in my book!

Maspero's, a New Orlean's Landmark

The Original Pierre Maspero's, the restaurant in the French Quarter, was once used as a warehouse by Jean Lafitte to auction off his plundered treasure. Thought to be originally erected in 1788, this New Orleans landmark has been part of a rich history of the city. Not only did Jean Lafitte and his brother, Pierre, conduct some of their operation from this building, Andrew Jackson plotted the Battle of New Orleans from here, slaves awaited their fates here as this building was used as an auction house.

Located at Rue St. Louis and Rue Chartres, this busy intersection has seen many New Orlean locals, poets, musicians, politicians gather for lunch or business just as Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte did 200 years ago.

Discover Maspero's in my book, Lafitte's Black Box then go to New Orleans and discover it for yourself!