Five Things About The 1984 World's Fair

You (Probably) Won't Read In The News

This week marks the 40^th anniversary of the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. My first novel, Errata, published in 2012, was set during the fair. As part of the research process, I interviewed several people who attended it and/or lived in the French Quarter at that time. Here is the nitty gritty.

1) In preparation, derelict warehouses and buildings extending from the French Quarter across through the Warehouse District were demolished or “arsoned.” Prior to this, the Riverwalk with parks that we’re now accustomed to along the Mississippi River was not a charming area. Arson has always been an issue in the Crescent City, but it became even more so during the mad dash to cash in.

2) In anticipation of crowds, and decades before Airbnb, a number of French Quarter landlords kicked out tenants, padlocked apartments, and jacked up rents so they could profit from the expected boom in short term rentals. Renter’s rights were clearly not on the table then.