Metropolis of the South (New Orleans nickname)
New Orleans in the 1800s was frequently called the “Metropolis of the South.” “This city (New Orleans—ed.) may be called the metropolis of the south” was printed in an 1826 newspaper. “Great commercial metropolis of the south-west” was printed in an 1836 newspaper.
“Metropolis of the South-west” was popularly used until about 1843, when “Metropolis of the South” became the the usual nickname. The “metropolis” term became less frequent after 1900.
Other New Orleans nicknames include “America’s Most Interesting City,” “Baghdad-on-the-Bayou,” “Big Crescent,” “Big Easy,” “Big Greasy,” “Big Sleazy,” “Birthplace of Jazz,” “Chocolate City,” “Chopper City,” “City of a Million Dreams,” “City of Yes,” “City That Care Forgot,” “City That Forgot to Care,” “Convention City,” “Crawfish Town,” “Creole City,” “Crescent City,” “Erb City,” “Gateway of the Mississippi Valley,” “Gumbo City,” “Hollywood South,” “Jump City,” “Mardi Gras City,” “N’Awlins,” “Necropolis of the South,” “Nerlins,” “No Orleans” (after Hurricane Katrina), “NOLA,” “Northernmost Banana Republic,” “Northernmost Caribbean City,” “Old Swampy,” “Paris of America,” “Queen City,” “Saint City,” “Silicon Bayou,” “Silicon Swamp” and “Sweet Lady Gumbo.”
Wikipedia: New Orleans
New Orleans (/nuː ˈɔːrlᵻnz, -ˈɔːrli.ənz, -ɔːrˈliːnz/, or /ˈnɔːrlᵻnz/; French: La Nouvelle-Orléans [la nuvɛlɔʁleɑ̃] ( listen)) is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The population of the city was 343,829 as of the 2010 U.S. Census. The New Orleans metropolitan area (New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area) had a population of 1,167,764 in 2010 and was the 46th largest in the United States. The New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area, a larger trading area, had a 2010 population of 1,452,502.
25 November 1826, Christian Advocate (Chicago, IL), “Mariners’ Church, New-Orleans,” pg. 46, col. 1:
This city (New Orleans—ed.) may be called the metropolis of the south. It will ultimately be at least the second city in the union for business, perhaps the first.
13 September 1836, The Mississippi Free Trader (Natchez, MS), “Circular,” pg. 3, col. 2:
... and embellishing and adorning this great commercial metropolis of the south-west ...
(New Orleans.—ed.)
14 October 1837, New York (NY) Evangelist, “From our Correspondent. No. VII” by H.T.C., pg. 166, col. 6:
... in that great metropolis of the South-West.
(New Orleans.—ed.)
28 October 1837, New York (NY) Evangelist, “From our Correspondent. No. IX” by H.T.C., pg. 173, col. 5:
... and in the far-reaching prospects of wealth and grandeur of this yet to be mighty metropolis of the South-west.
(New Orleans.—ed.)
3 October 1842, New York (NY) Herald, “New Orleans,” pg. 1, col. 5:
It (New Orleans) is the great mart, and ever will be the great metropolis of the south west. No where in the world, is capital and enterprise so well rewarded.
9 January 1843, Commercial Advertiser and Journal (Buffalo, NY), pg. 2, col. 2:
MR. CLAY IN NEW ORLEANS.—We had hoped to give today, an account of the brilliant reception of Mr. Clay in the great metropolis of the Southwest, ...
Chronicling America
23 March 1843, Charlotte (NC) Journal, pg. 2, col. 5:
From the N. Orleans Tropic, February 16.
DEPARTURE OF MR. CLAY.
(...)
That he will ever remember with pleasure his visit to the great metropolis of the South, we are already sufficiently assured.
1 October 1843, The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA), pg. 2, col. 5:
This applies with equal force to this Metropolis of the South-West, during the business season, as a greater number of strangers arrive here than any other place in the Western World.
OCLC WorldCat record
Pickings from the portfolio of the reporter of the New Orleans “Picayune:” : comprising sketches of the eastern Yankee, the western Hoosier, the quaint Cockney, the droll Irishman, the patient Hollander, the volatile Frenchman, the self-sufficient exquisite, the henpecked husband, the jolly tar, the eccentric African, and such others as make up society in the great metropolis of the South.
Author: D Corcoran; Felix Octavius Carr Darley; Carey & Hart,; T.K. & P.G. Collins (Firm),; L. Johnson & Co.,
Publisher: Philadelphia: : Carey and Hart., 1846.
Edition/Format: Print book : English
Google Books
A Guide to New Orleans and the Principal Cities in the South, including St. Louis, Cairo, Memphis, Vicksburg, Mobile and New Orleans
By Rand McNally and Company
Chicago, IL: Rand McNally & Co.
1886
Pg. 45:
New Orleans, Louisiana. Population, (census of 1880) 206,090. The metropolis of the South, and of the parish of Orleans, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river, between the river and Lake Pontchartrain, 110 miles from the Gulf of Mexico; ...
OCLC WorldCat record
The resources and attractions of progressive New Orleans, the great metropolis of the South. A complete and comprehensive description of its industries, factories, enterprises, etc., its immense South American trade, the great sugar and cotton market of the world. Together with a sketch of its most prominent business men.
Author: Young Men’s Business League (New Orleans, La.)
Publisher: [New Orleans], [1895]
Edition/Format: Print book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
Picturesque New Orleans : the quaint and unique metropolis of the Southwest
Author: Charles Thomas Logan
Publisher: [New York] : [Frank Leslie’s Pub. House], [1899?]
Series: American cities series, 8.; Frank Leslie’s popular monthly, v. 45, no. 22.
Edition/Format: Print book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
Official souvenir and program of the Louisiana Industrial Exposition and Peace Jubilee : ... also contains a short sketch of New Orleans, the metropolis of the South.
Author: New Orleans Progressive Union.
Publisher: New Orleans : Daily Item, [1899?]
Edition/Format: Print book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
New Orleans, Louisiana. Metropolis of the South. Gateway to the Mississippi Valley.
Author: New Orleans Press Club.
Publisher: New Orleans, New Orleans Press Club, 1916.
Edition/Format: Print book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
New Orleans, Louisiana, metropolis of the South, second port U.S.A., land of sunshine and flowers. New Orleans with its historic quaintness is the most popular winter resort in America. Wonderful development and business activity.
Author: New Orleans Press Club.
Publisher: New Orleans, [publisher not identified], 1920.
Edition/Format: Print book : English