This is the Cornstalk Fence Hotel, located on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The wrought iron fence in front is made to look like actual cornstalks. If you examine it closely you will see that that actually is corn on the stalks.
This fence originally came from a house on St. Charles Avenue in the uptown area of New Orleans. (I am not sure if this is the original fence from that house or just a copy.) The owner of that house was a wealthy 19th century landowner who married a girl from Iowa. He wanted to have something in the house that would remind her of home; thus the cornstalk fence.
Fellas: Have you ever thought of doing anything like this for your wife?
Of course, this begs the question: Why would anyone living in New Orleans want to be reminded of Iowa?
