The first record of Mardi Gras being celebrated in Louisiana was in 1699. While we didn’t create the holiday, we have become known for it. With Mardi Gras season upon us, we thought we’d take a look at some vintage photographs of different parades in the early 1900s.

Wikimedia Commons Awesome picture of Chartres and Camp Street in the 1890s, when the floats were led by horses!

Wikimedia Commons A crowd waiting for the parade along St. Charles Avenue in 1901.

Wikimedia Commons Rex at the Riverfront in 1901

Wikimedia Commons Looks like dressing up in costumes for Mardi Gras goes back a long time, as this picture from 1905 shows.

Wikimedia Commons Group of street performers having a good time the 1930s.

Wikimedia Commons Even back in 1913, large crowds still gathered on Canal Street.

Wikimedia Commons Chief Pocahontas Indians dancing in 1942.

Wikimedia Commons Comus parade in 1934.

Wikimedia Commons King Rex receiving the keys to the city in 1940.

Wikimedia Commons Zulu King in 1935.

Wikimedia Commons Check out the crowds that gathered on St. Charles to watch this parade in the 1930s. Crazy!

Wikimedia Commons Bunch of friends hanging out in 1937. Seems like this picture could have been taken last year, if you added some color. Some things never change, huh?

Wikimedia Commons A small krewe parading down the street in the 1930s.

Wikimedia Commons Massive crowds come out to celebrate on Canal Street way back in 1920.

Wikimedia Commons Cute couple sharing a kiss in 1936.

Wikimedia Commons Momus parade in 1938. Flambeaux carriers traditionally lit night parades before electric lighting.

Wikimedia Commons Rex parade on Canal Street in the 1930s. Crazy how packed it was!

Wikimedia Commons Lucille Armstrong as Queen Zulu in 1973.

Wikimedia Commons Mardi Gras Day In New Roads in 1949.

Wikimedia Commons Unknown parade passing down St. Charles Avenue near Lafayette Square sometime between 1933-1938

Photo Credit A little boy dressed as “King Cotton” at the Children’s Carnival in 1937.

What’s your favorite Mardi Gras memory? Share it in the comments below!

Wikimedia Commons

Awesome picture of Chartres and Camp Street in the 1890s, when the floats were led by horses!

A crowd waiting for the parade along St. Charles Avenue in 1901.

Rex at the Riverfront in 1901

Looks like dressing up in costumes for Mardi Gras goes back a long time, as this picture from 1905 shows.

Group of street performers having a good time the 1930s.

Even back in 1913, large crowds still gathered on Canal Street.

Chief Pocahontas Indians dancing in 1942.

Comus parade in 1934.

King Rex receiving the keys to the city in 1940.

Zulu King in 1935.

Check out the crowds that gathered on St. Charles to watch this parade in the 1930s. Crazy!

Bunch of friends hanging out in 1937. Seems like this picture could have been taken last year, if you added some color. Some things never change, huh?

A small krewe parading down the street in the 1930s.

Massive crowds come out to celebrate on Canal Street way back in 1920.

Cute couple sharing a kiss in 1936.

Momus parade in 1938. Flambeaux carriers traditionally lit night parades before electric lighting.

Rex parade on Canal Street in the 1930s. Crazy how packed it was!

Lucille Armstrong as Queen Zulu in 1973.

Mardi Gras Day In New Roads in 1949.

Unknown parade passing down St. Charles Avenue near Lafayette Square sometime between 1933-1938

Photo Credit

A little boy dressed as “King Cotton” at the Children’s Carnival in 1937.

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