What is the Bradish Johnson House?

The Bradish Johnson House is a historic post-Civil War mansion in New Orleans' Garden District, built in 1872 for a prominent Louisiana sugar planter. It has served as the home of the Louise S. McGehee School for girls since 1929.

What is the architecture of the Bradish Johnson House?

The house is a French Second Empire and Renaissance-style mansion. It features a marble spiral staircase beneath a glass dome, and was originally attributed to architect James Freret, though some sources suggest it may have been designed by Reynolds.

What makes the Bradish Johnson House historically significant?

Beyond its architectural style, the house was known for having high-tech elements for its time, including an early passenger elevator, a conservatory, and a smoking den. It now houses the school's headquarters, library, and high school classrooms.

Where is the Bradish Johnson House located?

The house is located at 2343 Prytania Street in the center of New Orleans' historic Garden District.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Bradish Johnson House (Louise S. McGehee School) in New Orleans

What to know

The Bradish Johnson House, located at 2343 Prytania Street, is a stunning example of post-Civil War architecture. Built in 1872 for a prominent Louisiana sugar planter, the mansion is designed in the French Second Empire and Renaissance styles. While initially attributed to architect James Freret, some architectural historians now reattribute the design to Reynolds based on the style of its magnificent circular staircase. Inside, the home once boasted luxurious high-tech elements for its era. It reportedly cost approximately $100,000 to build, featuring a conservatory, a smoking den, and one of the early passenger elevators in the city. A standout architectural feature is the marble spiral staircase situated beneath a glass dome, which is accessed from the entrance hall. Since 1929, the residence has transitioned from a private home to an educational institution. After being owned by residents such as Walter Denegre from 1892 to 1929, the house was purchased to become the Louise S. McGehee School. The original building now serves as the school's headquarters, housing the library and high school classrooms. Today, the campus has expanded beyond the original mansion. The school has acquired several other late-19th-century houses on the same block, bounded by Prytania, 1st, and Philip streets and St. Charles Avenue, creating a unique urban campus in the center of the Garden District.

Visitor tips

Since this is an active school campus, please respect the students' privacy and avoid entering the gates.
View the architectural details from the sidewalk of Prytania Street for the best perspective.
Combine this stop with a walk through the Garden District's other historic mansions to see the evolution of 19th-century styles.

Nearby context

The Bradish Johnson House is situated in the heart of the Garden District, surrounded by other late-19th-century homes and expanded school campus buildings on the block bounded by Prytania, 1st, and Philip streets and St. Charles Avenue.

Quick facts