English Turn and Bienville’s Bluff

As you stand on the bank of the Mississippi River near Jackson Square in the French Quarter, no doubt having just enjoyed beignets at the nearby Cafe du Monde, you can see one of the last sweeping turns of the river before it heads south to the Gulf of Mexico. Just a few miles down-river is a place called English Turn which was the sight of an amazing gamble by Bienville…

Shortly after the explorer-brothers Iberville and Bienville arrived in what is now Louisiana in 1699, Iberville returned to France. During Iberville’s absence, Bienville, who had been stationed at a fort in Biloxi, took the opportunity to explore further west with a small band of men.

To his great surprise, as he was traveling down the Mississippi River, he came across the British ship, Carolina Galley. The ship had made it about 75 miles up river and was loaded with settlers. As Bienville approached the boat, a British officer, Captain Lewis Banks, asked for directions to the Mississippi River.

Now, this may seem like an odd question. But, you must realize that the mouth of the Mississippi River was not easy to find. Years earlier on his second visit to the area, the French explorer Robert de LaSalle went searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico and sailed right past it and ended up in what is now Texas. There were, and still are, dozens of false inlets and bayous that lead to nowhere, dead ends, or large lakes. So understandably, the British were not sure they had found the Mississippi.

Thinking quickly, Bienville told the British officer that the Mississippi River was much further west, and that he was in French territory, surrounded by heavily guarded forts, and was in great danger. Of course, this was not true. There were no forts nearby, and the only other French in the area were in the boat with him!

Bienville’s bluff worked. The British ship immediately turned around and sailed back to the Gulf. To this day, that point in the river is known as English Turn. Imagine how different the history of Louisiana would be had Bienville not chanced upon that British ship and convinced them to turn around!

Learn more about the history of New Orleans and the French Quarter with the French Quarter History Tour from Royal Tours. Call us at 504-507-8333 or email us for details on booking your own private walking tour of the French Quarter.

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Norma Wallace - A New Orleans Madam

By Royal Tours New Orleans • July 25, 2023

N orma Wallace, a name that evokes intrigue and fascination, was a prominent figure in New Orleans during the early and mid-20th century. As a powerful and resourceful madam, she operated a network of brothels that thrived despite the constant threat of law enforcement. Beginning in 1920, she would operate brothels for the next 45 years, a span that has not been beaten in the history of New Orleans.