By 1820, steamboats made the Mississippi River a vital transportation artery. New Orleans's location at the mouth of the Mississippi River made the city an ideal gateway to the American Midwest.

New Orleans' 40-Year Run
Accordingly, New Orleans' immigration Golden Years lasted from 1820 to 1860, as steamboats provided easy transportation for immigrants settling in areas near the Mississippi River.

During the 40 years between 1820 and 1860, 550,000 immigrants arrived in New Orleans. By 1837, New Orleans was America's second largest port of entry, exceeding Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Post-Civil War Decline
After the Civil War, immigration to New Orleans declined dramatically, although the port was reopened to immigration. Railroads had reached the Mississippi, allowing immigrants faster and more reliable transportation to the middle of America.

Partnerships between rising steamship companies and railroads further curtailed the immigrant flow to New Orleans. New Orleans soon fell behind Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and newer ports such as Galveston and San Francisco.

Sources: Joseph Logsdon, "Immigration through New Orleans," in Forgotten Doors: The Other Ports of Entry to the United States, ed. M. Mark Stolarik (Philadelphia: Balch Institute Press, 1988.Press, 1988.