Find-A-Grave: Thomas C. Anderson

Thomas C. "Tom" Anderson

Resting Place: Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans

Plot: Section 26 on Metairie Avenue by Avenue M

Born: November 22, 1858

Died: December 10, 1931 (aged 73)

Thomas C. Anderson was a significant political figure in New Orleans and is often associated with the Storyville district, the city's legalized red-light district that operated from 1897 to 1917. As a former state legislator and influential local businessman, Anderson played a pivotal role in the creation and regulation of Storyville, which was designed to confine prostitution and other vice activities to a controlled area, ostensibly to preserve the city’s public morality while accommodating its thriving nightlife economy.

Anderson, known as the "Mayor of Storyville" (though not an official title), was a key power broker in the district. He owned several properties in Storyville, including saloons and bordellos, profiting directly from the district's operations. His influence extended into city politics, where he acted as a liaison between the district's operators and municipal authorities, ensuring that Storyville remained a lucrative and relatively stable enterprise for its nearly 20-year existence.

Despite his successes, Anderson's career was marred by controversy and corruption allegations. His involvement in vice activities and political machinations drew criticism, but he remained a central figure in the economic and cultural life of Storyville until the district was closed in 1917 due to federal pressure, largely influenced by World War I military reforms.

Thomas Anderson's legacy is deeply tied to the history of Storyville, representing the complex interplay between vice, politics, and commerce in early 20th-century New Orleans.