A Place For Dying monochrome

This 300 year old live oak is found in City Park in New Orleans. The Dueling Oak is the surviving tree of the original pair of Dueling Oaks, where... more

by Steve Harrington

Title

A Place For Dying monochrome

Artist

Steve Harrington

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This 300 year old live oak is found in City Park in New Orleans. "The Dueling Oak is the surviving tree of the original pair of Dueling Oaks, where countless duels were fought in the early days of New Orleans. Creole honor was a delicate thing, easily offended, and countless duels were fought here over women, perceived insults, and differing opinions, or just because. Duels were fought with pistols, sabers, colichemardes (a long sword), and even poison pills and Bowie knives, in a uniquely American twist on dueling. Indeed, the amount of duels fought here is quite staggering. According to the Times-Democrat, between 1834 and 1844 scarcely a day passed without duels fought at the Oaks. One Sunday in 1839 alone saw 10 consecutive duels beneath the trees. It is a wonder anyone was left alive to build the city." B&W vesion.

Uploaded

January 21st, 2013