After searching from 1699 to 1718, the French decided an Indian portage on high ground between the river and Lake Pontchartrain was the best  location for the much needed port. Shallow draft sailing ships could enter Lake Pontchartrain through the Rigolets and then sail into Bayou St. John. The final leg to the Mississippi River was only a two mile portage across high ground providing access to the entire interior of the continent.

The portage starts at the intersection Bell Street and Bayou St. John then follows Bayou Road to the Governor Nicholls wharf. The route runs roughly parallel to Esplanade Avenue from the Fairgrounds to the River.

Bayou St. John and the Esplanade Avenue became some of the most desirable property in New Orleans. Heavily settled by the Haitian immigration of 1809 the strong French Caribbean influence pervades the area into the 21'st Century.

Bayou St. John is currently sealed off from the Lake and had no flooding problems during Hurricane Katrina.

Wikipedia