The Brennan’s building at 417 Royal Street has been many things.
- It was built by the great-grandfather of Edgar Degas, the artist.
- It housed the the first bank established after the Louisians Purchase, Banque de la Louisiane.
- It was the home of Paul Morphy, the world chess champion. He died there in 1884.
- It was a brothel.
- It was supposedly donated to Tulane by William Ratcliffe Irby in 1920. (Although many sources say Irby donated the property to Tulane, the property records show it going directly from Florench Krach to Tulane.)
- It was rented from Tulane by Owen Brennan who established the Brennan Restaurant.
Brennan’s still operates out of 417 Royal Street today and is most famous for brunch at Brennan’s and as the place bananas foster were invented.
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