Find-A-Grave: Sidney Story

Alderman Sidney Story

Resting Place: Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, LA

Plot: Story-DeLesseps Tomb

Birth: November 18, 1822

Death: December 30, 1866 (aged 44)

Sidney Story was a prominent alderman in New Orleans whose legacy is intricately tied to the city's history, particularly its regulation of vice and morality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Louisiana, Story grew up in a society grappling with the social and economic consequences of the Civil War. He became a civic leader and public servant, known for his efforts to bring order and regulation to the vibrant yet often chaotic city.

In 1897, as an alderman, Story drafted legislation to regulate prostitution by confining it to a designated district in New Orleans. The ordinance aimed to address public health concerns and the prevalence of illicit activities while minimizing their impact on other parts of the city. The result was the creation of a legal red-light district, which came to be known as "Storyville"—a name ironically derived from Story's own name, despite his disapproval of this association. The area became infamous for its brothels, saloons, and jazz culture, shaping New Orleans' cultural and musical history.

Story himself did not intend to glorify vice; his ordinance was an attempt to impose structure and control. After his political career, Story moved away from New Orleans and spent his later years in Alabama, working in a quieter capacity as a customs official. Despite his efforts to distance himself from the legacy of Storyville, his name remains forever linked to this vibrant and controversial chapter in New Orleans' history. Sidney Story passed away in 1935, leaving behind a complex and enduring impact on his city.