Louis Faessel and Anton Ritter purchased two lots in the square bounded by Magazine, Third, Constance and Fourth Streets from Annie Mclelln Gerard Howard for $4,000. The property measured a total of 62.5 feet across on Magazine Street by I 10 feet in depth. Louis Faessel was born in Alsace, a German-speaking region of France, around 1830. He came to New Orleans with his father, also Louis. as a young man and worked initially as a clerk. In the 1860s, be married Magdalena Ritter, the daughter of Anton Ritter. The Ritter family were also German-French immigrants and lived at (old) 449 Constance on the comer of Third Street, where Parasol's is located today. Ritter ran a grocery store at this location. When Louis and his father-in-law purchased the large tract on the comer of Magazine and Third, Louis operated a grocery store on the comer of Magazine and St. Andrew. He and Magdalena had a two year-old, Joseph, and an infant, Louis Jr.
1867
Louis Faessel's sister Helena married Gustave Beck.
1868
Magdalena Ritter Faessel passed away that summer at age 23. Faessel and Ritter hired architect Adam Graner to design a building for their property at Magazine and Third Street. Graner contracted with E.H. Burton to build the structure, and all of the parties signed a building contract on September 5. An immigrant from Bavaria, Germany, Adam Graner was an architect, builder, and inventor. Other buildings known to be designed by Graner include J 221 Delachaise Street, 3435 camp Street, and the First Street Presbyterian Church (now demolished). Faessel and Ritter paid Graner and Burton $11,900 for the construction of a two-story brick building complete with outworks and cistern. The address was 730 and 732 Magazine Street The bottom floor of the building was laid with cypress wood and designed to house two stores. The second floor was reached by a molded mahogany staircase from an entrance on Third Street was designed as a residence featuring a hall, double parlors, kitchen, two additional rooms, and a wide wrap-around gallery with wrought-iron railing, There was also an attic floor.
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1869
Louis Faessel became the sole owner of the property by purchasing Anton Ritter's interest for $18,800. Louis then opened a feed store at the 730 Magazine Street, and married Anna Betz.
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1870
On the 1870 Census, Louis valued his personal estate. at $27,000, which would be just over $490,000 in today's market. He, bis new wife, and young sons were attended by two live-in servants.
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1872
On the 1870 Census, Louis valued his personal estate. at $27,000, which would be just over $490,000 in today's market. He, bis new wife, and young sons were attended by two live-in servants.