7th Ward of New Orleans
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 7th Ward is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is geographically the second largest of the 17 Wards of New Orleans, after the 9th Ward.
Contents |
[edit] Boundaries and geography
The 7th Ward stretches from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. The eastern, or "lower" boundary is Elysian Fields Avenue, the boundary with the 8th Ward. In the "up river" direction to the south-west, the boundary is Esplanade Avenue, the border with the 6th Ward; then from where Esplanade meets Bayou St. John the boundary follows the bayou north to the lake, with the 5th Ward being across the bayou.
[edit] Features and landmarks
The London Avenue Canal runs through the ward from just in from Gentilly Ridge to the Lake. Dillard University is in the Ward, as is most of the University of New Orleans campus near the lakefront. The New Orleans Fairgrounds, home to horse racing and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, is just back from Esplanade Avenue, as is Saint Louis Cemetery #3.
[edit] History
As with most of New Orleans, the area along the high ground of the riverfront was developed first; this area is today the Marigny Triangle of the Faubourg Marigny. The New Orleans and Pontchartrain Railway, the first US railroad away from the Atlantic coast, ran for a century along Elysian Fields between the Riverfront and the famous camps at Milneburg. The area is a known for the Creole citizens who heavily populate the area. Esplanade Ridge between Rampart and Bayou St. John was one of the first parts of town substantially developed away from the riverfront; some of the elegant early 19th century Creole-style mansions can still be seen along Esplanade. The areas between Gentilly Ridge and the Lakefront was developed in the 20th century with improved drainage; see Drainage in New Orleans. The ward is home to the world renowned St. Augustine Senior High School.
When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, the effects were disastrous; see Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. The London Avenue Canal breached catastrophically on both sides, flooding the majority of the Ward and the surrounding area. The 7th ward has since seen many residents return.
[edit] Celebrities Born in the 7th Ward
Rapper/Super Producer Mannie Fresh of Ca$h Money Records was born in the 7th Ward. Mannie Fresh has produced beats for UNLV, Lil Wayne, BG, Juvenile, David Banner, TI, and many more. He is a founding member of the Big Tymers alongside Ca$h Money Records CEO the Birdman AKA "Baby" Brian Williams.
 |
This New Orleans-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
