Westwego

History

The area of Westwego, Louisiana was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years before Europeans settled here. These indigenous people created huge shell middens that can still be seen in the vicinity today. The French first developed the area in 1719 when French minister of state Claude le Blanc started a plantation and a port along the Mississippi River. The port became an important site in the history of the transatlantic slave trade. The estate was later owned by the Zeringue family, who turned it into bustling sugar plantation, known as Seven Oaks. Planter Camille Zeringue built a canal at the plantation that played a prominent role in the community's history for decades. Other antebellum plantations in the area included the Whitehouse Plantation, Magnolia Lane, and the LaBranche Plantation among others. After Camille Zeringue's death, Seven Oaks was owned by Pablo Sala, who divided the property along the canal into lots, which he sold for $40 each. Many of these lots were purchased by displaced hurricane victims from Cheniere Caminada whose homes were destroyed in the great unnamed 1893 storm. With the addition of these families, who were mostly fisherman and trappers, the community of Salaville was born.

Geography

The city of Westwego is located in the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area and region. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 10.64%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
  Other · Kenner · 2,283 students · 15:1 ratio
• John Ehret High School
  High · Marrero · 1,579 students · 25.9:1 ratio
• West Jefferson High School
  High · Harvey · 1,524 students · 27.2:1 ratio
• Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
  High · Kenner · 1,478 students · 26.9:1 ratio
• Grace King High School
  High · Metairie · 1,463 students · 25.2:1 ratio
• East Jefferson High School
  High · Metairie · 1,348 students · 27:1 ratio
• Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish
  Elementary · Terrytown · 1,194 students · 23:1 ratio
• Young Audiences Charter School
  Other · Gretna · 1,073 students · 16.8:1 ratio