 ross Washington Avenue here, and turn right. When you get to the middle of the block, you will be at the main entrance to:  Lafayette Cemetery. One of the oldest cemeteries in the city, and the first planned one, it was established in 1833 as the City of Lafayette Cemetery, and has examples of all the classic above-ground tombs for which New Orleans is famous. These lavish tombs contain most of the Protestant Irish and German families that built the Garden District, and are arranged in symmetrical rows, with wide roadways for funeral vehicles. In 1852, 2,000 yellow fever victims were buried here after
the city of New Orleans annexed Lafayette City. In 1858 wall vaults were added. A century later the cemetery was a virtually abandoned ruin, with broken vaults and weeds taking over, but thanks to a campaign to save the cemetery organized by Garden District residents, the place was restored to its former condition. The cemetery is surrounded by a wall, with gates at either end, but regular daylight hours are maintained. You may explore it on your own, but taking one of the tours that are offered for the cemetery will provide more insight into the place's history. Leaving the cemetery, walk toward St Charles Avenue until you arrive at Prytania Street, close to the walking tour's starting point (you can end your tour here or continue for the last two houses). Across Prytania Street on the corner you will see a large wooden-faced building. This is the:- Behrman Gym,
one of the first athletic clubs in the south. Formerly known as the Southern Athletic Club, it was built at the turn of the century, and housed the first indoor swimming pool in the south. It was also the training site for John Sullivan , one of the greatest boxers of his age, when he fought another great, "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Unfortunately, only the wooden facade remains today. Turn left here, and walk for three blocks, admiring the lovely assorted houses along this section of Prytania Street. Turn left when you get to 8th Street. In the middle of the block, number 1437, on the left, is the:
- Byerly House. The mansard-roofed mansion was built in 1871 for Daniel Byerly in the Second Empire style, which was imported from the Paris of Napoleon III. Thankfully (some say), the Garden District was spared from this new architectural style
because of the financial crisis of 1873. The Second Empire design features mansard roofs, rounded door and window moldings, and baroque detailing. The only other exanples of this style in this area are the Bradish Johnson House and the John Bell Hood House. Keep walking down 8th Street in the same direction until you get to the middle of the next block. At 1313 8th Street is the:
- George Washington Cable House, the home of the notable 19th-century novelist. The raised cottage was built in 1874. Although Cable was not a native New Orleanian, he wrote stories that poked fun at the native Creoles of the French Quarter. Mark Twain was a frequent visitor to the house. Take a left at Chestnut Street and continue walking until you get back to Washington Avenue, then turn left again. This ends your tour of the beautiful and historic Garden District.
Follow the same route that you just took up Washington until you get back to Prytania Street. You can either stop at the Rink again and grab a bite to eat, or head back to St Charles Avenue where you can catch the streetcar back to your hotel.
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