The street is named for Julien de Lallande Poydras, who helped Louisiana achieve statehood,[1] served as the first President of the Louisiana State Senate,[citation needed] and Delegate from the Territory of Orleans to the United States House of Representatives, Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809 — March 3, 1811).

[3] In the 1890s, Poydras Street and Canal Street were early hosts of municipal lighting when gigantic spotlights in steel light towers were erected upon them by Muller Co.[4] In 1927, when its width measured 74 feet (22.6 m), the movement to widen it was begun by consultants for the City Planning Commission.

[3] From November 23, 1964 until August 16, 1966, demolition, drainage installation, utility connection, paving, sidewalk construction and landscaping occurred, resulting in a six-lane 132-foot (40.2 m) wide street.

[3] Subsequently, more than a dozen skyscrapers were erected along the street that has become a central area circulator for vehicular traffic and host of modern high-rise construction.

The Street hosts various stops for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority streetcar lines: Riverfront, Rampart–Loyola and St.