The portage road was the earliest path from the river to the lake, and was used by the Native Americans before the French began exploring the area. With the coming of the French colonizers it became the main road for bringing supplies and people to the new settlement on the Mississippi. During the late 1700′s and first half of the 1800′s, it became the fashionable road of the area, along which many lovely homes were built, most of them two-story plantation type homes. This area, along with Gentilly, was one of the earliest and most fashionable suburbs of New Orleans.

We will ride our bikes along the 1.5 Mile route to the Bayou, stopping to study important buildings settled along the way. Once we reach the Bayou, riders will be on their own to either return back downtown or head out across the city – or even just a few blocks over to Jazz Fest in the Fairgrounds!

Time: 8:30am-10:00am

Date: Saturday May 5, 2012

Event Route: The event will begin on Governor Nicholls Street at the intersection of French Market Place right at the market. We will bike to the intersection of Bell Street and Bayou St. John.

Host: This Jane’s Roll is hosted by leading New Orleans Architect and Planner – and Bayou St. John resident – Allen Eskew, FAIA. His practice, Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, is currently designing and leading projects all around the region and has a national reputation for design excellence. Allen established the firm in 1989 after his professional emergence as the Project Director for the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition.

Registration: No need to sign up, just show up at the posted meeting location.

Accessibility: This is a bicycle event.