Karnofsky Tailor Shop–House

The Karnofsky Tailor Shop–House was a two-story brick structure on South Rampart Street with a tailor shop on the ground floor and residential space above. The building functioned as both a home and workplace for the family who ran the business there.

The structure was built in 1910 and housed a tailor shop and secondhand store run by the Karnofsky family. Over the decades, the building endured many storms and natural events that affected New Orleans.

The shop connected to Louis Armstrong's early years, as the family living there supported the young musician in acquiring his first cornet. This moment shaped the beginning of his musical path in New Orleans.

The location sits in an easily accessible part of the city with room to explore the surrounding neighborhood. Visitors should know the structure no longer stands and the historical site is now visible only through documentation and markers on the ground.

The building survived over a century of harsh weather in New Orleans until Hurricane Ida caused its complete destruction in 2021. This dramatic turn ended a remarkable story of resilience against the elements.

Location: New Orleans

Inception: 1910

Floors above the ground: 2

Address: 427 South Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

GPS coordinates: 29.95056,-90.07500

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43