The History of Faubourg Treme

By Leland C. Abraham, Esq.

Outside of the New Orleans, very few of Black Americans have heard of this historic place. Faubourg Treme (hereinafter called “Treme”) was one of the first communities of black free men during slavery. Treme began as a plantation like any other plat of land during the time. Near the end of the 18th century, Claude Treme purchased the land. Within a few decades of this purchase, a canal was built that split the land. Some developers then began to make the land into neighborhoods. These neighborhoods would go on to house whites, creoles and free people of color throughout the 1800s.

Louisiana was a little different from the other southern states in that blacks could purchase their freedom. In fact, some blacks had their own slaves during this time period. Treme was extremely unique in that it was a precursor to a lot of black history. For example, the first black newspaper publication came from Treme. The Tribune started out as a French language publication but later became bilingual. This was important because after the civil war, the Tribune urged it black readers to “boycott” the rail system until there was equal treatment among the races. This would have been in the latter portion of the 19th Century, well before the “Birmingham Bus Boycott.”

Shortly after the civil war, the federal government sent federal troops to New Orleans. This allowed for an “integrated” society. In fact, Louisiana was very progressive in that blacks could vote during the early years of Reconstruction. Because blacks had the right to vote, the Louisiana legislature was an equal mix of blacks and whites. Louisiana was on the way to great feats in racial relations at a time in which the rest of the country still looked down on blacks. Unfortunately, this society for blacks would not last. About ten years after the federal troops were sent to New Orleans, they were removed with “The Compromise of 1877” and the beginning of what we know as “Jim Crow” began to take effect in the area. Gone were the days of blacks and whites serving together on the legislature and blacks were relegated back to second class citizens. The Tribune still urged it citizens to fight for their rights. The rail system had become segregated again and things were starting to look bad for the black folk of the area.

In a last stand effort, Homer Plessy, a black civil rights activist in Treme, boarded a railcar that was designated for “whites”. Plessy was an extremely light-skinned individual, who could pass for white. When he entered the railcar, he was asked by the conductor whether he was white or “colored.” He replied that he was a “colored” and was asked to go to the “colored” car. When he refused to leave, he was arrested. In the case Plessy v. Louisiana, he argued that he was denied his rights under the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The judge in his case, John Howard Ferguson, ruled that the state had a right to regulate the rail car system as long as it operated within the state. The Louisiana Supreme Court did not give a favorable ear to Plessy either.

He appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Plessy v. Ferguson. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Plessy as well. The case would be pivotal for the beginning of the Civil Rights era for Black Americans. The case helped to cement the doctrine “Separate but Equal.” Unfortunately for blacks, southern states did not provide blacks with equal accommodations as their white counterparts. As a result of the case, Homer Plessy pled guilty and paid the fine.

What a history the Treme has had on African American history! From one of the first communities for free men during slavery to the establishment of the first black newspaper to a landmark case that would impact the civil rights movement. Treme has seen it all and it was also pivotal point in the modern Jazz movement.

In the late 1960s, an urban renewal project went underway in Treme. Unfortunately, a large portion of the center of Treme was torn down. In the 1970s, Louis Armstrong Park was created in which Congo Square, a major landmark in Treme is located. Like most of New Orleans, Treme was affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The efforts to rebuild Treme are underway as the locals feel there is too much history to let the neighborhood die. I personally thank God that they are willing to tell its story.

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