Definition: Neutral Ground: broad median or road divider, paved or grassy.
There is some dispute about why New Orleanians call the wide swath of territory in the middle of our roads the "neutral ground." One theory holds that the land that eventually became Canal St. divided the French Quarter and the American sector of the town, creating an area where people could meet and do business without invading the other group's "turf." The term then got applied to all such areas dividing streets.
The other theory is slightly different, and holds that these neutral grounds were all over the city, whenever Spanish residents lined one side of the street and French the other.
Either way, it's evident from the many park-like neutral grounds around town that they have always been intended to create a place where people can gather and socialize. And they sure do come in handy at Mardi Gras.
There is some dispute about why New Orleanians call the wide swath of territory in the middle of our roads the "neutral ground." One theory holds that the land that eventually became Canal St. divided the French Quarter and the American sector of the town, creating an area where people could meet and do business without invading the other group's "turf." The term then got applied to all such areas dividing streets.
The other theory is slightly different, and holds that these neutral grounds were all over the city, whenever Spanish residents lined one side of the street and French the other.
Either way, it's evident from the many park-like neutral grounds around town that they have always been intended to create a place where people can gather and socialize. And they sure do come in handy at Mardi Gras.
Examples:
Let's sit down at that bench over there in the neutral ground.