Barthelemy Lafon

Biography

Barthelemy Lafon, a gifted surveyor and engineer, helped shape New Orleans through his imaginative plans for streets, neighborhoods, and the systems that tied them together, earning admiration for both his technical skill and his poetic vision. His work left a permanent mark on the city’s layout, from the Treme to the French Quarter, as he sought to blend utility with grace.

Though he died relatively young, his careful drafts and bold ideas continued to influence generations of planners, and he rests in Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 as a tribute to his lasting imprint.