Decades before its official incorporation in 1913, Gretna began as Mechanicsham in 1836. Gretna sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River. It is the second-largest city in Jefferson Parish. Gretna is just across the river from uptown New Orleans.
Gretna’s story starts much earlier. By 1750, Jean-Charles de Pradel established a plantation here. His plantation house was named Monplaisir. By 1813, François Bernoudy owned the plantation. John McDonogh, a New Orleans resident, bought it. He moved into Monplaisir in 1815. McDonogh founded a settlement and named it McDonoghville. He divided the former plantation into city lots. He also created farming strips. McDonoghville became the first subdivision in Jefferson Parish. McDonogh leased or sold properties to white laborers. He also sold to free people of color.
The town grew around a Mississippi River station. This station served several railroads. These included the Missouri Pacific, Texas and Pacific, and Southern Pacific. A ferry connected Gretna to New Orleans. Gretna became a hub for transportation and commerce.
Do you know Zatarain’s? The famous food and spice company has been in Gretna since 1963. It was founded in New Orleans in 1889.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina brought controversy to Gretna. People tried to escape New Orleans by crossing the Crescent City Connection bridge. Gretna police turned them back at gunpoint. The city claimed it had no resources for refugees. Gretna itself had suffered damage. This event led to lawsuits and public outcry.
Gretna has an elevation of 0 feet. This means it’s level with the Mississippi River. The city covers about 4.5 square miles. A small portion of that is water.
According to the 2020 census, 17,814 people lived in Gretna. The population is diverse. It includes White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents.
Gretna’s government includes a police department established in 1913. The city operates its own post office.
The Jefferson Parish Public Schools system manages Gretna’s public schools. Several schools serve the city. Gretna Academy offers advanced studies.
Gretna has a public library. The library has a meeting room for community events.
The German American Cultural Center is headquartered in Gretna. It celebrates German immigrants’ contributions to Louisiana. The center hosts events like Oktoberfest.
Gretna has appeared in movies and books. Jack Kerouac mentioned Gretna in his novel “On the Road”. Parts of “A Love Song for Bobby Long” and “Monster’s Ball” were filmed here.
Many notable people have called Gretna home. These include the drag queen Bianca Del Rio. Also Joseph Cao, a former U.S. Representative. Baseball Hall of Famer Mel Ott also lived here. Gretna’s history is rich and varied. It reflects Louisiana’s diverse cultural landscape.