McDonoghville Historic Structures Survey Report
Calhoun K and Rolf J. 2019. McDonoghville Historic Structures Survey Report. Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development; City of Gretna; Calhoun Preservation, LLC; Rolf Preservation Works, LLC
From the McDonoghville Historic District: "Established in 1815 by John McDonogh, businessman and philanthropist making it Gretna's earliest subdivided development. The McDonoghville Historic District is characterized by modest residences set back on sizable lots and a lack of commercial corridors, recalling its originals as a residential farming community By the turn of the century, Gretna and nearby McDonoghville made up nearly half of Jefferson Parish's total population. This period of expansion was responsible for Gretna's numerous shotguns in the Italianate and Queen Anne/Eastlake styles, as well as many of its corner stores. In 1901, Front Street opened to connect the riverfront communities, and, a few years later, an electric streetcar service between Gretna and Algiers replaced the mule-drawn streetcar that had been running since 1884. Soon to follow were Gretna's two railroad depots on Third and Fourth streets (1902 and 1906, respectively) and the Renaissance Revival Jefferson Parish Courthouse (1907), which has operated as Gretna City Hall since 1961. The McDonoghville Historic District is characterized by modest residences set back on sizable lots and a lack of commercial corridors, which gives it a sleepy, pastoral atmosphere that is rooted in its origins as a residential farming community. The 1845 guidebook Norman's New Orleans remarked in its brief mention of the place ('Macdonough') that 'the country, the beautiful country is all around - and the noise and confusion of the city no longer annoy you.' Although McDonoghville has been part of the city of Gretna since 1913, this sense of being removed from city life continues to distinguish it from its more urbanized neighbors." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (P18AF00113).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Calhoun, Kelly; Rolf, James
- Date of Issue
- 2019
- Publisher
- Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development; City of Gretna; Calhoun Preservation, LLC; Rolf Preservation Works, LLC
- Units
- HPF
- Keywords
- Certified Local Governments, Historic Resource Surveys (Neighborhood)