⚰️ The Hangings That Named a Street: The Dark Origins of Frenchmen Street in New Orleans

Most people walking down Frenchmen Street today are drawn in by the electric pulse of live jazz, the clinking of cocktail glasses, and the parade of artists and eccentrics that make this Marigny strip so iconic. It’s a beloved local alternative to Bourbon Street—cooler, edgier, and bursting with soul.

But hidden beneath the saxophone riffs and string lights is a chilling bit of history: Frenchmen Street is named after a brutal act of political revenge.

Before it was home to hip venues and murder mystery shows, Frenchmen Street was the site of a literal murder mystery of its own—one with real blood and real stakes.

🩸 The Execution That Named the Street

In the year 1769, New Orleans was in a state of upheaval. The French colony had recently been handed over to Spanish control, and not everyone was thrilled about it. Enter a group of six French Creole men—nobles, merchants, and militia leaders—who organized a rebellion against the new Spanish governor, Alejandro O’Reilly.

They believed they were defending their rights. O’Reilly believed they were traitors.

After swiftly putting down the uprising, O’Reilly did what any iron-fisted colonial governor might do to make an example: he ordered the public execution of the ringleaders.

These six men were hanged or shot in the Place d'Armes (what is now Jackson Square), and their deaths shocked the Creole elite and sealed their legacy as martyrs of French pride.

The city, forever laced with equal parts reverence and rebellion, named a street after them:

Frenchmen Street.

🕯️ A Street Built on Rebellion

Today, Frenchmen Street cuts through the Faubourg Marigny, once a plantation turned colorful bohemian enclave just downriver from the French Quarter. The street is synonymous with New Orleans’ creative spirit—lined with brass bands, late-night art markets, jazz clubs, and second-line parades.

And yet, every time you see that street sign—FRENCHMEN—you’re seeing a monument to political resistance and bloodshed.

It’s a reminder that New Orleans doesn’t just preserve its history—it lives with it. Even its nightlife is built on ghosts.

🕵️ Perfect for Mystery, Naturally

It’s no wonder that Killer Theater NOLA chose this very street as the home for its Saturday night murder mystery productions. With a real-life origin story soaked in rebellion, betrayal, and execution, Frenchmen Street provides more than ambiance—it provides atmospheric authenticity.

You’re not just walking into a show. You’re walking on a street named for men who actually died for a cause, wrapped in the myth and mystery of New Orleans.

🎭 From Hangings to Happenings

The irony of Frenchmen Street is that something born from violence and repression has become a symbol of freedom and creativity. It’s where musicians find their voice, where artists hawk their wares under twinkle lights, and where murder mysteries play out in candlelit venues above the music halls.

Frenchmen Street is proof that even the darkest histories can become stages for storytelling—if you know where to look.

So the next time you're sipping a Sazerac on Frenchmen and someone leans in and whispers, "Did you know this street was named after six men who were executed?"—you can raise your glass and say,"Of course. And I’m here for the drama.".