Eleanor McMain School

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    New Orleans has a great many strange old buildings, but none stranger than this one, the Eleanor McMain secondary school on South Claiborne. It's absolutely massive, its green and pink paint further embellished with generous sprays of mildew. In its Gothic way, it's absolutely breathtaking.

    Ralphem, Nola Nate, pompoB, and 3 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    1. lawatt 89 months ago | reply

      love the color... can hardly imagine going to school in such an ebullient structure!

    2. Ralphem 71 months ago | reply

      My High School! We called it "The Birthday Cake."

    3. Loki and Lex 68 months ago | reply

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Humid City, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

      I also remember when it was just unpainted stone, back in the pre birthday cake days....

    4. katie71483 68 months ago | reply

      I attended McMain in the late '80's when the paint was brand new - and it was really gaudy and very New Orleans. White with aqua trim and touches of pink... I think the paint was only fresh for two or three months before the mildrew happened. There are (or were before a certain storm, anyway) huge oak trees surrounding the property, which only added to the general feeling of decay that is so common to old buildings in N.O.

    5. pompoB 45 months ago | reply

      Gosh do they still have this bldg? I love it!

    6. Ralphem 44 months ago | reply

      Last year they were going to tear it down (what is WRONG with people?!?!) but enough people voiced disapproval that it's now getting a $25 million renovation. Whew!!

    7. marybeth08 44 months ago | reply

      Thanks for the great pictures! I'm an architecture student in NOLA, and I'm currently writing a paper on this building. Love it!

    8. kevanjohnson 42 months ago | reply

      I graduated to (2000) Before the mutilation (sheet rock renovations) I can only IMAGINE how nice this facility was. There are stone floors, gargoyles, and facade etchings all over the school and the auditorium ceiling is REALLY detailed. A truly beautiful facility. If i'm not mistaken, it's slated for renovation in 2012 (adding a gym)

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