The Westwego Canal is a slice of history right here in the heart of Westwego. Let’s take a moment to fully appreciate this beautiful stretch of water and its role in shaping the community. Imagine the bustling activity around here back in the 1890s when families made their way to Westwego from Cheniere Caminada. The canal was a lifeline then, linking the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico through Bayou Segnette and the swamps and marshes to the south. This whole area is rich in history, spanning back thousands of years with Native American shell mounds still found in the vicinity. The area was first developed by European settlers in 1719 when a French minister, Claude le Blanc, established a plantation and a port along the Mississippi River. The port would go on to play a pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade, but that’s another story for another day. It was the Zeringue family who later transformed the plantation into the thriving sugar plantation known as “Seven Oaks.” That canal you see, though, played a huge part for decades. It’s what brought so many families here, many of them displaced by a devastating hurricane in 1893 that took the lives of many. This canal became a symbol of hope for those families, who made Westwego their home, fishing and trapping to make a living. Today, the canal is a quiet reminder of a time gone by, of the struggles and triumphs of those who came here before us. So, as you gaze upon this canal, just imagine those families weaving their way through its waters, carrying dreams and rebuilding their lives, making Westwego the vibrant community it is today.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to