South Meets South

The signs are at right angles, as are the streets. One sign says S Carrollton Av, and the other says S Claiborne.

Normally, you would expect streets that are both labeled "South" to run parallel to each other rather than at right angles. But this is New Orleans—a city nestled in the bends of the Mississippi River.

Imposing a traditional rectilinear grid on this geography doesn't work very well. Within a bend, streets would more logically follow a wheel-and-spoke pattern.

A wheel-and-spoke pattern surrounds a sidewalk tree in New Orleans.

A curious hybrid leads to streets that start out parallel but end up crossing.

Photos by I. Peterson