History Arabi, Louisiana

1 history

1.1 gambling era (1907-1952)
1.2 historic areas
1.3 hurricane betsy
1.4 hurricane katrina

history

arabi established in 19th century suburb of new orleans, along east bank of mississippi river. arabi part of orleans parish, however, law passed in 1880s stated slaughterhouses not located within city of new orleans. 1851 map calls area jacksonburgh, name believe derived andrew jackson.

arabi began community known stockyard landing, because of many stockyards , slaughterhouses located there. in rear yards of of houses in old arabi, there remnants of blood traps area. when excavation swimming pools done, residents found dishes new orleans hotels , restaurants table scraps once used feed animals.

business interests of stockyards wanted free control of new orleans , persuaded state of louisiana transfer dominion of area downriver st. bernard parish.

the area apparently named after residents of area burned courthouse down in 1890s, according account published fwp in 1941, reputedly because incendiary activities of arabian sheik @ time in news. new york times makes mention of media frenzy in 1882 note new orleans picayune has discovered arabi pasha once sold confectionery in city. picayune has habit of discovering things not so.

it speculated publication, town named after arabi pasha (a mis-transliteration of actual name ahmed urabi) torched alexandria, egypt in 1882 while fighting independence british. community felt revolt leading kindred spirit own revolt new orleans.

gambling era (1907-1952)

in 1907 friscoville avenue developed in arabi. because of ban on gambling in city limits of orleans parish, area gambling center around 5 gambling halls along 100 block of friscoville avenue. being outside orleans parish line, friscoville @ time accessible canal street car line.

the clubs raided authorities. 1 such raid noted associated press in 1928 when governor huey p. long. upon learning of re-opening of 2 clubs in arabi, delivered request have clubs raided national guard in person:

names of 225 persons found in 2 places, jai-alai fronton , arabi club, located outside new orleans city limits, taken future reference. patrons, many of whom women, released after being questioned.

neil simmes, staff photographer time picayune, attacked , beaten fifty men attempted take picture. guardsmen rescued him. unconscious when found. 3 officers , 5 men went jai-alai club , 2 officers , 5 men arabi club. establishments face each other on same street.

heavily armed, soldiers entered clubs, women screamed , several fainted. shot rang out, believed have been fired sentry on guard warn gamblers of taking place. there quick grab money on gaming tables. order restored in few moments. in bonfire afternoon gambling paraphernalia flammable burned. remainder hacked bits axes....

these establishments continued operate until 1952, when shut down after statewide crackdown on illegal gambling after appointment of united states army colonel francis grevemberg (1914–2008) superintendent of louisiana state police.

historic areas

le beau began plantation house in 1854, , later hotel , gambling venue. destroyed arson in 2013.

the st. bernard voice, local paper, began publishing in late 19th century, , still produced small building on mehle street, near mississippi river in original settlement.

most of area declared historic district in 1970s, including original st. bernard jail, , remains of lebeau plantation (destroyed arson november 22, 2013).

hurricane betsy

hurricane betsy swept on new orleans area on evening of september 9, 1965. betsy caused strong storm surge in mississippi river gulf outlet, deep-water shipping channel east , south of new orleans. arabi , chalmette in st. bernard parish east , below new orleans on east bank of mississippi river. of st. bernard parish sandwiched between mrgo , mississippi river.

the storm surge on topped levees along channel , on both sides of terminus @ industrial canal in ninth ward. there may have been breach of protection levee along florida avenue. flooding covered areas of gentilly , both upper , lower ninth ward of new orleans. flooding spread east , inundated of arabi (except areas of high ground near river.) in arabi, betsy began die down around 3am. many residents, thinking worst had passed, went sleep around time. flooding reached arabi park around 4am waking exhausted survivors phase of disaster. between 4am , 6am, water rose between 6 , 8 feet. dawn, water making way across railroad grade between arabi park , carolyn park , flowing chalmette.

for days survivors huddled in few two-story buildings surrounded water, little or no supplies, power, running water or communications. there no search , rescue or military presence. eventually, evacuated using own fishing boats. headed higher ground meant st. claude avenue (closer mississippi river) in arabi , kaiser aluminum plant in chalmette.

hurricane katrina

on august 29, 2005, hurricane katrina caused more massive storm surge inundated of arabi, water reaching higher 20 feet (6.1 m) in areas.

much occurred in hurricane betsy, locals had elected remain had noticed winds had begun dying, time shortly after dawn. several stories have been noted of locals talking on cell phones evacuated relatives late 8:30-9:00 am, stating felt worst over. first wave of water struck shortly after 9:00 , surged way levee of mississippi river. areas had suffered less 3–4 feet of water after betsy submerged as 10 feet (3.0 m).

in arabi park area, surge crossed on elevated railroad tracks , resultant wave washed many homes off of foundations, , destroyed others. again, in hurricane betsy locals began evacuating , neighbors using private boats. brought them mississippi river levee, several days dry ground on east side of river many miles. local officials including u.s. wildlife , fisheries agents stationed in parish moved seal off area , supply food , water survivors. makeshift evacuation begun confiscating small ferry boats, , moving people west bank of river @ algiers point, buses used move them out of area. of activity not covered media due greater coverage of nearby new orleans.