For more than half of its route, from the river to Gentilly Boulevard (U.S. Route 90), it is six lanes wide; the remainder north of Gentilly Boulevard is four lanes wide. Anchoring the lake end and river end (northern and southern termini) respectively are the University of New Orleans and the Esplanade Avenue Wharf.
The location of Elysian Fields Avenue originated in the early 19th century placement of a sawmillcanal on the Marigny Plantation, which at that time was just outside New Orleans proper (the present French Quarter).[1] In 1831 the Pontchartrain Railroad was built from that location straight to Lake Pontchartrain.[2] The railroad carried both goods and passengers.[2] Among the railroad's steady revenue sources was mail, which was carried from New Orleans to Lake Pontchartain for transfer to Mobile, Alabama-bound ships. The railroad, which came to be known locally as "Smoky Mary", operated until 1935.[3] The tracks were removed in the 1950s.[4]
Lakeshore Drive
At the end of Elysian Fields where it meets the lake. Lakeshore Drive runs along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It is a recreational park space along the lake used for sun bathing, running, swimming (Swimming is allowed only by the Seabrook Bridge and you can only swim to a certain point), fishing and crabbing on the seawall steps, and leisurely walks, etc. This space is used mostly by locals and residents of New Orleans.
Public transit routes
Two RTAbus routes operated on Elysian Fields Avenue: one local (est. August 4, 1924; first known as Frenchmen, later, as of January 1957, just Elysian Fields [or Elysian Fields – Pont. Beach/UNO], and later, in January 1989, 55 Elysian Fields), the other an express (est. December 5, 1960, first known as Express 91 – Pontchartrain Beach via Elysian Fields, later 56 Elysian Fields Express).
In popular culture
Southern Decadence parade on Elysian Fields
Elysian Fields is the setting for the 1947 Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire. Williams presents the setting as multicultural and vibrant with Jazz culture and social life. The play's tragic heroine Blanche Dubois is "incongruous" to the setting, which Williams uses to highlight the cosmopolitan nature of the city in contrast to the decay of the Old South.
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