Storyville , historic region of New Orleans , Louisiana , U. It was one of the most famous red-light districts in the United States when prostitution was effectively legal in Storyville from to The district was created when Alderman Sidney Story, responding to public protests against rampant prostitution in New Orleans, succeeded in having the City Council adopt an ordinance in January limiting brothels, saloons, and other businesses of vice to a prescribed area.
The areaβwhich, to his dismay, unofficially acquired his nameβcame to include a number of blocks on Bienville, Conti, Customhouse, St. The houses of assignation that quickly proliferated throughout the area included everything from cheap cent brothels to extremely elegant establishments on North Basin Street.
It was in Storyville that Tony Jackson, Jelly Roll Morton , and a host of other musicians worked at the dawn of the 20th century; the district is considered the birthplace of jazz.
Other important personalities associated with Storyville include photographer E. Sullivan , and P. When the United States entered World War I in , the army and the navy issued orders prohibiting prostitution within five miles of military sites. The federal government ordered Storyville closed down, and the city, under duress, acquiesced.
Legal protests by local businesses, which went all the way to the U. Supreme Court, failed to change the order. Article Media. Info Print Cite. Submit Feedback. Thank you for your feedback. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree See Article History.
