West End, New Orleans

Geobox Neighborhood
name = West End
native_name =
other_name =
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category = New Orleans Neighborhood

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image_caption = Entrance to West End four days after Hurricane Katrina


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country = United States
state = Louisiana
region_type = City
region = New Orleans
district_type = Planning District
district = District 5, Lakeview District
area_imperial = 5.64
area_land_imperial = 0.70
area_water_imperial = 4.94
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 30
lat_m = 00
lat_s = 44
lat_NS = N
long_d = 90
long_m = 07
long_s = 05
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 0
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 4724
population_density_imperial = auto
established_type =
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mayor =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code =
postal_code_type = ZIP Codes
area_code = 504
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West End (also referred to as West Lakeview) is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Lakeview District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Lake Pontchartrain to the north, the New Basin Canal and Pontchartrain Boulevard to the east, Veterans Memorial Boulevard to the south and the 17th Street Canal to the west. The area was largely built on land reclaimed from Lake Pontchartrain in the 1920's. It is a recreational and commercial seafood boating hub for the city and is known for its historic and renowned seafood restaurants. In recent years, the area has seen large condominium complex developments overlooking the lake.

The area is adjacent to the site of the levee breach on the 17th Street Canal during Hurricane Katrina which inundated and devastated all of West End. The heavy winds and storm surge also destroyed every restaurant and music club built out over the lake. Because West End was developed above sea level, it did not flood and became a staging area for the US military and National Guard conducting rescues of stranded residents.

Two Yacht Clubs, the New Orleans Yacht Club and Southern Yacht Club, along with several marine and yacht related businesses populate the areas surrounding the park, marinas and channels. West End's most recognizable icon, the New Basin Canal Lighthouse, constructed in the 1830's was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

Geography

West End is located at coor dms|30|00|44|N|90|07|05|W|city GR|1 and has an elevation of convert|0|ft|1GR|3. According to the United States Census Bureau, the district has a total area of convert|5.64|mi2|1. convert|0.70|mi2|1 of which is land and convert|4.94|mi2|1 (87.59%) of which is water.

Adjacent Neighborhoods

* West End (north)
* Lakeview (east)
* Navarre (east)
* Mid City (east)
* Dixon (south)
* Hollygrove (south)
* Jefferson Parish (west)

Boundaries

The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of West End as these streets: Lake Pontchartrain, the New Basin Canal, Pontchartrain Boulevard, Veterans Memorial Boulevard and the 17th Street Canal. [cite web|url=http://gnocdc.org/orleans/5/39/index.html|title=West End Neighborhood|author=Greater New Orleans Community Data Center|accessdate=2008-06-21]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,724 people, 2,462 households, and 1,169 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density was 6,749 /mi² (2,624 /km²).

History

West End was originally a nationally renowned resort built between 1835 and 1876 and named New Lake End. In 1880, the name was changed to West End with the additions of a hotel, restaurant and an amusement park built on piers over Lake Pontchartrain.

The City of New Orleans followed and constructed a harbor and railroad and streetcar facilities along the New Basin Canal and the 17th Street Canal and by 1921 had constructed a seawall 500 feet out into the lake and filled in this space to create the large and oak lined West End Park.

West End was a popular music venue in the early days of jazz. Joe "King" Oliver wrote the tune "West End Blues" in commemoration of the area; a recording of the number by Louis Armstrong is one of the most famous jazz recordings of the 1920s.

The area grew to become a well known area for great and historic seafood restaurants, including Brunings which opened in 1859 and operated nearly continuously-- damage from Hurricane Georges prompted a move to a nearby building somewhat better sheltered from storm surge, but it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 along with most other buildings in the area.

ee also

* New Orleans neighborhoods

References

External links

* [http://www.saveourlake.org/lighthouse.htm Save the Lighthouse]
* [http://www.noyc.org New Orleans Yacht Club]
* [http://www.southernyachtclub.org Southern Yacht Club]
* [http://nomyh.com/ New Orleans Municipal Harbor]
* [http://www.marinasinneworleans.com/OM.htm Orleans Marina]
* [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2007-04-17/news_feat.php Set Sail - West End article Gambit Weekly]
* [http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2007-02-13/news_feat2.php Katrina's Marinas - West End marinas after Katrina]
* [http://www.gnocdc.org/orleans/5/39/snapshot.html History of West End]
* [http://www.stphilipneri.org/teacher/pontchartrain/section.php?id=168 Further History of West End]
* [http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/neighborhoodguide/lakeview.html History of Lakeview]