United Fruit Company

New Orleans


A cornucopia of tropical produce graces the entrance to this building. The United Fruit Company, infamous for neocolonial practices in Central America, was based here from the 1930s until the 1970s. For many decades, the company held a virtual monopoly on the banana trade throughout much of the world. It’s now part of Chiquita Brands International, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby New Orleans attractions

1. New Orleans Cotton Exchange

0.09 MILES

For much of its history, the economy of New Orleans was built on cotton and slavery. The former industry was largely brokered out of this building, where…

2. Gallier Hall

0.17 MILES

Architect James Gallier Sr designed this Greek-Revival structure, dedicated in 1853. It served as New Orleans’ city hall until the 1950s and far…

3. Royal Street

0.18 MILES

Royal Street, with its rows of high-end antique shops, galleries and potted ferns hanging from cast-iron balconies, is the elegant yin to well known…

4. Upper Bourbon Street

0.21 MILES

Like Vegas and Cancun, the main stretch of Bourbon St is where the great id of the repressed American psyche is let loose into a seething mass of karaoke,…

5. Insectarium

0.26 MILES

We'll be honest: if you're not a fan of bugs and creepy-crawlies, you may be happier elsewhere, because at this lively museum, you'll do more than stare…

6. A Gallery for Fine Photography

0.31 MILES

This impressive gallery usually has prints such as William Henry Jackson’s early-20th-century views of New Orleans and EJ Bellocq’s rare images of…

7. Michalopoulos Gallery

0.33 MILES

Michalopoulos has become one of New Orleans’ most popular painters in recent years, in part on the strength of his best-selling Jazz Fest posters. His…

8. Museum of Death

0.34 MILES

If death is your thing, or you have an interest in serial killers, the Museum of Death will not disappoint. Starting with skulls (both animal and human)…