Our History
As OHL has continued the building’s storied social service history, the Tonti location has been of continuous aid to Louisiana for over 150 years!
A 150 Year Legacy
Located in historic Treme-Lafitte, the lot that now houses 1125 N. Tonti Street was purchased by Thomy Lafon, a free man of color born in New Orleans in 1810 who amassed great wealth in real estate and become one of America’s first African American philanthropists, donating to numerous charitable causes.
1866-1892
At Lafon’s request, the original structure on Tonti was erected in 1866 as an asylum for children orphaned after the Civil War; the orphanage was run by the Sisters of the Holy Family, one of the first African American orders of nuns. In 1892, still under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Family, the structure shifted missions and became the “Lafon Catholic Old Folk Home,” a nursing home for elderly women of color.
1893-1973
After Lafon’s death in 1893, the Sisters had the finances to expand the facility and, funded by Lafon’s bequests, the Sisters built a large, square, three-story brick structure with full-length porches on three sides in front of the existing two-story wooden building. Completed in 1895, the new facility allowed services to be offered to elderly men and women. The Sisters operated the Lafon Home out of the Tonti location until 1973 when they moved to a new facility and donated the premise for the formation of Odyssey House Louisiana (OHL).
A Hurricane Odyssey
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, Odyssey House Louisiana reflects on a chapter that reshaped both our organization and our city. In 2005, our facility experienced extreme upheaval, yet out of that devastation came resilience and renewal. OHL not only rebuilt its own programs, but expanded its mission by opening a free medical clinic, supporting thousands of families in recovery, and growing into a continuum of care that would have been unimaginable before the storm.​
This gallery offers a glimpse into that journey and stands as a reminder of the perseverance, hope, and determination that continue to guide OHL’s service to New Orleans.
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Today
Today, the Tonti building currently houses OHL’s Short and Long-Term Residential Substance Use Treatment programs, its outpatient services, and its Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Please take a moment to view our slideshow of historic pictures at the top of this segment!
Meet our Founder
Meet Maggie Pike, the visionary founder and first Executive Director of Odyssey House Louisiana. In 1973, Maggie helped bring the program to New Orleans, driven by her deep commitment to helping people build healthier lives. With more than 50 years in the field of substance use disorder treatment, she continues to embody the spirit of service and leadership. Today, Maggie’s passion and dedication remain at the heart of our mission.
Pictured above: Maggie at the signing of the deed to Odyssey House
Pictured below: Present-day Maggie speaking to OHL clients