Correspondence/Subject Files, 1889-1914 Note: The labels on the original wooden storage cartons, apparently added by a previous custodian of the records, were not particularly accurate, so the processing archivist used them only as a general guide in describing their contents. Handwritten filing notes on the documents themselves often were more useful indications of the intent of the originating agency.

The larger and more significant sub-series are described below, and an inventory of box/folder locations follows. Generally, correspondents include City Council members and other municipal officials & employees, architects, contractors, & others in the construction business, citizens, property owners, businesses, organizations, & institutions, and out of state companies/individuals interested in doing business locally. The various sub-series sometimes include items that do not appear to belong therein; no attempt has been made to "correct" original filing.

Incoming Correspondence (General) Includes plans and specifications for altering, repairing, and building public property; condition of individual buildings, public & private, condition of streets, building laws, proposed building projects, and bids for public building projects

Incoming Correspondence (Levees) Many of the letters are from the Orleans Levee Board and the U.S. Engineers

Incoming Correspondence (Canals) Includes bridges over canals as well as sewerage & drainage matters

Incoming Correspondence (Paving) Includes bids for jobs and completion of contracts for grading, paving, & gravelling; many of the letters are from paving contractors doing work for the city; letters re: stone curbing

Incoming Correspondence (Wharves) Engineering & building records, records on pile driving for wharves & levees, reports on river stages

Incoming Correspondence (Miscellaneous) reports on public schools, surveys, work done on city streets, and work done on the YMCA building; moving electric company poles on various streets

Incoming (Drainage) Including rain gauges & measurement of rain and the topographical survey; also includes background, etc. on the 1895 “Report on the Drainage of the City of New Orleans” by the Advisory Board on Drainage; ditch on Tulane University property; bids on drainage pumps; applications for employment

Incoming Correspondence (City Departments) Specifications for culverts & gutters; dangerous condition of streets & buildings; conditions of wharves & levees; permits for businesses; inspections & repairs of sidewalks; Dryades Market; location of Police Commissioners in the new Criminal Court Building; Mississippi River gauge; filling Coliseum Square; moving the ferry landing from Pine to Walnut Street

Incoming Correspondence (Reports) Progress of work on various projects; violations of ordinance #7607; requests for business permits; buildings being erected without permits. Included are Reports of Inspectors forms, but usually with attachments (including original complaints) and/or continuing correspondence. Many detailed descriptions of issues with individual buildings, bridges, properties, streets, etc. are included. Many complaints filed by police officers are the subjects of these reports. Some reports of the Assistant City Engineers are also included

Correspondence with the Deputy Commissioner of Public Property, Division of Public Works City Engineer’s reports on how he handled matters that were referred to him by the Deputy Commissioner or that the Deputy Commissioner otherwise had responsibility for or interest in

Incoming Correspondence (Applications for Positions) Not formal applications but rather inquiries about possible openings, letters of introduction for job seekers, follow up letters, etc.

Incoming Correspondence (Surveys) Including various surveys, some with sketches included and/or attached. Generally, items larger than 8 ½” x 14” were removed to the Louisiana Map Collection where they will be cataloged with a reference to this location

Applications for sidewalk grades Printed forms (not all fields were necessarily filled in) as follows:

Date

I hereby apply for proper grade of sidewalk in front of my property known as No. _____ and on ______ side of ______ street and between _______ street and _________ street. I desire to construct the sidewalk of ________ and to make same _______ wide. The work to be done according to specifications in the office of the City Engineer.

Owner

Per _______

Occasional letters, notes, etc. are filed in lieu of the standard form.

Daily Reports of Inspectors Filed more or less chronologically, using printed forms; reports on new school houses, street paving, railroads, street railways; occasional sketches are attached