Pete Fountain’s family hopes to save his childhood home

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The City of New Orleans says it will hold a hearing soon to discuss the future of one of the city’s most endangered historic sites. Preservationists are beefing up efforts to save the boyhood home of the late clarinetist Pete Fountain.

He was a musical ambassador known worldwide for much of the last 60 years.

Fountain’s clarinet first echoed on North White Street in Mid-City after his childhood doctor told him to take up a wind instrument to strengthen his lungs when he was 9.

Fountain lived in the home for the first 20 years of his life. He played in the band at Warren Easton, then gained world fame, appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson 59 times. The family moved in 1951. The home has seen better days and now sits empty and neglected.

The Louisiana Landmarks Society recently listed Fountain’s old home as one of the city’s nine most endangered historic sites, and friends and neighbors worry that history could be lost.

‘All the young musicians would have concerts in the backyard for all the people He developed his New Orleans accent here. He was a real New Orleans character because of this neighborhood," said Fountain’s son-in-law Bennie Harrell.

Fountain’s old Mid-City neighborhood is going through something of a renaissance. Many old houses have been fixed up, and neighbors say Fountain’s old home deserves redevelopment as well, with proper tribute attached.

Last year, the Landmark Commission listed the First African Baptist Church as one of the city’s most endangered sites. Since then, various groups have come together to work to save it. Now, fans of Pete Fountain hope for a similar effort on North White Street.

‘This is where Pete grew up in humble beginnings but turned into a world famous clarinet musician out of New Orleans,’ said Harrell.

The city says the property is now under the jurisdiction of the city’s Historic District Landmarks Commission, which is awaiting action from the property owner after the property was cited for demolition by neglect in March.

City spokesman Jonah Gilmore says the case is now being forwarded to administrative adjudication for an upcoming hearing. We reached out to the property owner to see what he intends to do and are awaiting a response.

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