234-242 Bourbon St.

732-740 Bienville St.

Square: 65 Lot Number: 11324

Property Images

Square Images

Vieux Carré Commission Evaluation:

234 Bourbon. No change: blue. "Old Absinthe House," an excellent example of an entresol combined residential and commercial structure. Intact architectural details include ground floor fanlights, which also light the entresol, and a wrought iron balcony with its supporting consoles. Its nearly flat (originally tiled) roof is typical of its period of construction. 736 [732-740] Bienville. No change: orange. New construction (c. 1950), which is modeled after a two-story attached kitchen building with gallery. It is recessed from the street front.

Orange
Portion of Building Service building (new)
Material Masonry
Blue
Portion of Building Main
Material Masonry

Dimensions

Frontage 63′ 11″ 3‴
2 63′ 11″ 3‴
3 63′ 11″ 3‴
4 63′ 11″ 3‴

Chain of Title

Last Updated: Friday, March 26th 1982
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Saturday, July 17th 1965

Record Source COB
Volume 668D
Page 87
Record Type sale
Price $80000.00

COB 668D/87-89 Executed in Cameron Country, Texas. Sale for $80,000, $20,000 cash. An undivided 1/2 interest for corner lot. Other valuable considerations involved in the transaction. Lot measures 63' 11" 3''' front on Bienville St. by 63' 11" 3''' in depth and front on Bourbon St. Surveyed by Frank H. Waddill, Dec. 26, 1938.

Wednesday, March 23rd 1960

Record Source COB
Volume 636
Page 136
Authority Edmond G. Miranne ( Notary )
Record Type resale

Resale. Measuring 63' 11" 3''' front on Bienville by 63' 11" 3''' front and depth on Bourbon Street.

Wednesday, March 23rd 1960

Record Source COB
Volume 636
Page 136
Authority Edmond G. Miranne ( Notary )
Record Type sale

Sale.

Thursday, February 23rd 1939

Record Source COB
Volume 501
Page 559
CDC# 228-055
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest. Put in possession under terms of last will and testament herein probated. Inventory made by Jeanne M. Hatrel, N.P. Oct. 13, 1938. It is further ordered, adjudged and decreed that Ramon Maria Esteve be and he is hereby recognized as the transferee of the undivided one half (1/2) interest in and to the hereinafter described property inherited by the said Dona Asuncion Solanos y Cusachs, widow of Juan Camprodon y Rovira, from the estate of Dona Pilar Retg y Boix, widow by first marriage of Eduardo Borrell y Bosquets and widow by second marriage of Enrique Cusachs y Aleix as per conditional sale passed before D. Francisco Figueras y Subietas, barrister and Notary Public of the Illustrious College of Catalunya, with residence in Barcelona, Spain, dated May 5, 1936. Mrs. Enrique Cusachs y Aleix left a last will and testament in nuncupative form by public act received by Don Joaquin Casades y Vehils, residing at Barcelona notary and cannot be withdrawn, a certified copy legalized by Thomas S. Horn, U. S. Consul, Sept. 19, 1934, is hereto attached. Lot of ground with buildings and improvements thereon in Second District, Square No. 65, bounded by Bourbon, Bienville, Iberville and Royal streets, plan by Frank H. Waddill, Civil Engineer, December 26, 1938, a copy of which is attached to the inventory of this estate by Jeanne M. Hatrel, N.P., Oct. 13, 1938; said lot is commonly known and designated as the "Old Absinthe House," forming the corner of Bourbon and Bienville streets and measures: 63' 11" 3''' front on Bienville Street by 63' 11" 3''' in depth and front on Bourbon Street, between equal and parallel lines.

Wednesday, May 13th 1936

Record Source COB
Volume 493
Page 266
Record Type [sale?]

COB 493/266-279 Acquired an undivided half interest from each.

Tuesday, May 5th 1936

Record Source COB
Volume 493
Page 266
Authority Francisco Figueras y Subiestas ( Notary )
Record Type sale
Price $125000.00
Currency Pesos

Sale passed in Barcelona, Spain, before Don Francisco Figueras y Subiestas, Barrister & Notary Public of the Illustrious College of Catalunya. 125,000 pesos - Conditional.

Saturday, January 7th 1922

Record Source Unknown
Record Type succession

Acquired an undivided one-half interest from the Succession of Mrs. Pilar Retg Boix.

Thursday, October 17th 1912

Record Source Unknown
Record Type [sale?]

Acquired an undivided one-half interest.

Monday, January 29th 1912

Record Source Court
CDC# 228,055
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type [sale?]

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Last Will & Testament received by Joaquin Casades y Vehils, Lawyer and Notary, Barcelona, Spain. Don Enrique Cusachs y Aleix died in Barcelona, Spain, at the age of 75 years, on October 17, 1912 and left as his sole heir and legatee, his widow.

Friday, September 10th 1897

Record Source Court
CDC# 54,438
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Mrs. Juncadella y Aleix, widow of Domingo de Caralt, died in Barcelona, Spain, February 13, 1896. She left a last will and testament made before Ignacio Gallisa y Reynes, February 14, 1893, and named her brother, Enrique Cusachs y Aleix as universal legatee.

Monday, August 13th 1894

Record Source COB
Volume 152
Page 622
Authority C. J. Theard ( Notary )
Record Type [sale?]

Acquired an undivided one-half interest. Annexed.

Monday, August 13th 1894

Record Source COB
Volume 152
Page 622
Authority C. J. Theard ( Notary )
Record Type [sale?]

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. Act of Sale executed in Barcelona, Spain before Don Pedro Arnau y Ribas, Notary, June 18, 1894. Deposited in records of Charles J. Theard, N.P. Act 1041, N.O., La., August 13, 1894. The undivided half of a certain lot forming a corner of Bourbon and Bienville streets, with all buildings thereon, in the square formed by Bourbon, Bienville, Royal and Customhouse (Iberville) streets, and measuring 60' front on each of the said Bourbon and Bienville streets.

Monday, January 1st 1894

Record Source Court
CDC# 42360
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Acquired an undivided one-half interest from Succession.

Friday, December 15th 1893

Record Source COB
Volume 152
Page 65
CDC# 41035
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. Acquired an undivided one-half interest from Succession of Pedro Font and Francisca Pasant, their father and mother, who, in turn, had acquired from Dona Rosa Aleix, widow of Francisco Juncadella. Pedro Font left a last will and testament before Gaspar Toy y Torras, Notary, dated March 3, 1828.

Friday, December 15th 1893

Record Source COB
Volume 152
Page 65
CDC# 41035
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. All his interest. Verified by Civil District Court No. 41035.

Wednesday, April 12th 1893

Record Source COB
Volume 151
Page 327
CDC# 42,360
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Mrs. Rosa Aleix, widow by first marriage of Francisco Juncadella and widow by second marriage of Jose Cusachs (died April 4, 1857). Mrs. Rosa Aleix Juncadella Cusachs died in Barcelona, Spain, April 4, 1857 and left a last will and testament made before Francisco Just, Notary, at Barcelona, dated March 19, 1847. Her three children were named as her legatees, and heirs of their predeceased sister.

Thursday, October 17th 1878

Record Source Court
Authority Manuel Serra y Xifra ( Notary )
Record Type [sale?]

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. Last Will and Testament executed October 17, 1878 before Manuel Serra y Xifra verified by Civil District Court No. 41,035. All his interest.

Saturday, February 5th 1859

Record Source Unknown
Authority Francisco Just ( Notary )
Record Type partition

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Act of Partition executed in Barcelona, Spain before Francisco Just, Notary, February 5, 1859. This partition was later ratified by act of United States Consul at Barcelona, dated January 13, 1894 and verified by proceedings of Civil District Court, N.O., La., No. 42,360, April 12, 1894.

Wednesday, December 20th 1820

Record Source Court
CDC# 37843
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type [sale?]

Each acquired an undivided one-half interest from the Succession of Francisco Juncadella. Buildings and improvements described as: A lot of ground on the corner of Bienville and Bourbon streets, measuring 60' front on each street, on which there is a brick house measuring 30' front on Bienville Street by 60' front on Bourbon Street.

Wednesday, June 28th 1820

Record Source Original Act
Authority Philip Pedesclaux ( Notary )
Authority Date Wednesday, June 28th 1820
Record Type will

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Last Will and Testament. By his last will and testament, he names Pedro Fon or Font and Honore Landreaux, Testamentary Executors of all property in New Orleans, La. and Juan Alexis, his brother-in-law, Executor, for all property in Barcelona, Spain. His goods consist of: 1) $2,000 and two negroes named Paul and Joseph; and, five shares of stock in the Planter's Bank. 2) The moiety of the assets of partnership, existing between Mr. Fon or Font and himself. He desires that the partnership that now exists between Mr. Font and himself be continued between his heirs and Mr. Font, after his death; and all the formalities required by law have been completed, he gives and bequeaths to his wife, the 1/5 part of all his goods. He constitutes as his sole heirs his two daughters, Francoise, aged 3 and 1/2 years, and Mercedes, aged 14 months. Francoise died in Spain on July 11, 1826, aged nine years, leaving her mother and her sister her sole heirs. By this last will and testament in nuncupative form before Philip Pedesclaux, Notary, dated June 28, 1820, Francisco Juncadella recognized Pedro Fon, as his partner and owner of 1/2 of the said property.

Wednesday, June 28th 1820

Record Source Original Act
Volume 15
Page 1222
Authority Philip Pedesclaux ( Notary )
Authority Date Wednesday, June 28th 1820
Record Type acknowledgment

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. Acknowledgment of moiety in property. By this last will and testament, Francisco Juncadella recognized Pedro Fon or Font, as his partner and part owner of the said property.

Saturday, January 1st 1820

Record Source Unknown
CDC# 37,843
Authority Civil District Court ( Court )
Record Type succession

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Juncadella family. Civil District Court No. 37,843 transferred from the Probate Court, 1820. Last will dated June 28, 1820. Registered in Will Book Vol. 3, page 157. Pedro Fon and Honore Landreaux were appointed Testamentary Executors of the property in New Orleans and Juan Alexis, his brother-in-law of all property in Spain. A lot of ground forming the corner of Bienville and Bourbon streets, measuring 60' front on each Street, on which lot is built a house of stories and of brick, with a terraced roof, the house has 30' front on Bienville Street by 60' front on Bourbon Street. On the ground floor are two stores, a kitchen, and two rooms, a paved court and a well. An entresol forms a first floor which is divided into apartments like the ground floor, plus two rooms for domestics and the latrines. The upper story, which rises on the entresol, is composed of 6 rooms for lodgings of the owner or master and has three chimneys, also apartments serving for an office and pantry appraised at $13,500.00. The property belongs to the partnership existing between Francoise Juncadella and Pedro Fon. Inventory made by Marc Lafitte, N.P., dated November 15, 17, 18 and ____.

Monday, March 17th 1806

Record Source Original Act
Volume 52
Page 244
Authority Pierre Pedesclaux ( Notary )
Authority Date Monday, March 17th 1806
Record Type sale
Price $2000.00
Currency Piastres

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. A half lot of ground forming a corner of Bienville and Bourbon streets and having 30' 4" on Bienville Street and 60' front and depth on Bourbon Street, adjoining on one side the property of the vendor and on the other side, the property of Mr. Jacques Still. The lot is sold with all edifices and servitudes thereon. Note: Research in the Notarial Records of this period, failed to reveal the exact date of the purchase by Mr. Juncadella of the other 30' front on Bienville Street.

Monday, March 17th 1806

Record Source Unknown
Authority Pierre Pedesclaux ( Notary )
Record Type [sale?]

Note: This transfer only includes the 30' front on Bienville Street by 60' front on Bourbon Street. Buildings and improvements. Annexed.

Thursday, March 23rd 1797

Record Source Original Act
Volume 29
Authority Pedro Pedesclaux ( Notary )
Authority Date Thursday, March 23rd 1797
Record Type sale
Price $1200.00
Currency Pesos

Undivided 1/2 interest owned by Font family. 1,200 Mexican pesos. A half lot of ground forming a corner of Bourbon and Bienville streets, with the edifices thereon constructed and measuring 60' on each street. The property is bounded on one side by the property of said Francoise and on the other side by lands of Pedro Marigny. The property was inherited by Francoise Lavergne from the Succession of her husband, Guimberty.

Citations

"Murals on the walls of the old Absinthe House that, for the last century, have regaled visitors. On the right is a battle scene, supposedly done in compliment to Jean Lafitte and his crew. Below is a scene reminiscent of the kind of art found in the modern bar room in 1850."

— Newspaper article

Death Knell Sounded of Bourbon Bistro

— Times-Picayune
Author: Howard Jacobs Date: Wednesday, May 1st 1963

Blaze Damages Absinthe House

— States-Item
Date: Monday, November 29th 1965

Great Bars
Calling Cards and Legends on Bourbon

— States-Item
Author: Pepe Citron Date: Wednesday, August 1st 1973

"Shaking one up
Sal Impastato, day manager of the Old Absinthe House, readies a drink for a thirsty customer, against a backdrop of thousands of 'calling cards' left by visitors over the years. States-Item photo by Tony Vidacovich."

— States-Item
Date: Wednesday, August 1st 1973

A tale of two houses

— Lagniappe (Times-Picayune)
Author: Jill T. Anding Date: Friday, August 11th 1989

Letter from Charles E. Cabibi, Cabibi and Cabibi, to Ashton Phelps, Jr., Publisher Times Picayune, dated August 25, 1989.
Re: Old Absinthe House
[On the authenticity of the 'orignal' Absinthe House.]

— Correspondence, Times-Picayune
Author: Charles E. Cabibi Date: Friday, August 25th 1989