[1] As explained by a city historian in 1922, the "social life of New Orleans revolved around its great hotels to a degree greater than was the case, probably, in other American city.
"[1] As was the case with the St. Charles and the St. Louis, slave auctions were held at the City Hotel before the American Civil War.
[5][6][7] The City Hotel was owned and operated for many years by a man named Ruggles S. Morse who had come to New Orleans from Portland, Maine.
[8] During the war Ruggles provided extensive medical supplies and equipment for the benefit of victims of the 1862 Ponchatoula train wreck who were being treated the marine hospital.
[8] Control of the hotel was transferred in 1874 by Col. Morse to W. T. Mumford and Ed.