The story
The Municipal Auditorium opened on May 30, 1930 at a cost of $2 million. Favrot and Livaudais Architects designed it and George A. Caldwell was the general contractor. It was built behind Congo Square, displacing part of the Tremé community.
It is best known for hosting many Mardi Gras krewe balls. Hank Williams was married there in October 1952, Ernie K-Doe battled James Brown on its stage in December 1962, and George Clinton debuted his Mothership there in October 1976. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicked off there in 1970. It was renamed the Morris F.X. Jeff Auditorium in 1994.
Floodwater from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 flooded the basement. As of 2024, redevelopment to reopen it had not begun.
What's There Now
The building sits vacant after Hurricane Katrina damage, and as of 2024 redevelopment had not begun.
Everything that was here
- 1930–present
Municipal AuditoriumConcert Hall
New Orleans' $2 million Municipal Auditorium hosted Mardi Gras balls, the first Jazz Fest in 1970, and now stands vacant since Hurricane Katrina.
See the map in 1931 →
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Connected places
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Nearby history
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Economy Hall
Congo Square
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Coliseum Arena
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
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