Gretna Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gretna Historic District
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Jefferson Memorial Arch and view towards the City Hall.
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| Location | Roughly bounded by 1st Street, Amelia Street, 9th Street, Gulf Drive, 4th Street and Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna, Louisiana |
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| Area | 130 acres (53 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000954 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1985 |
The Gretna Historic District is a special area in downtown Gretna, Louisiana. It is like a time capsule, showing how the town looked long ago. This district is filled with many old and interesting buildings. It helps us remember the history of Gretna.
This historic district covers about 130 acres. That's like 100 football fields! It has 737 buildings and structures. More than 550 of these are "contributing properties." This means they are important to the district's history and unique look. Four of these buildings are so special, they are also listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places.
The buildings in the district were built between 1845 and 1935. You can see many different styles! Some are Creole cottages or shotgun houses. Others are bungalows or old shops. You might spot styles like Greek Revival or Italianate. Later buildings show Eastlake or Colonial Revival designs. The Gretna Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 1985.
Cool Old Buildings: Local Landmarks
Out of the many important buildings in the district, 14 are considered Local Landmarks. These buildings are very special. They help make the Gretna Historic District so unique and beautiful.
Here are some of these amazing landmarks:
- Jefferson Memorial Arch on Huey P. Long Avenue, 29°55′03″N 90°03′58″W / 29.91752°N 90.06622°W, built in 1923.
- Old Jefferson Parish Courthouse at 740 2nd Street, 29°55′01″N 90°03′56″W / 29.91693°N 90.06569°W, built in 1907. This building now serves as the Gretna City Hall.
- Texas-Pacific Railroad Station at 739 3rd Street, 29°54′59″N 90°03′55″W / 29.91649°N 90.06534°W, built around 1910.
- Southern Pacific Depot on 4th Street, 29°54′57″N 90°03′53″W / 29.91574°N 90.06469°W, built in 1906. Today, it is the Gretna Visitor Center.
- A large villa at 720 Huey P. Long Avenue, 29°54′46″N 90°03′46″W / 29.91276°N 90.06268°W, built around 1930.
- A raised bungalow at 225 Newton Street, 29°55′02″N 90°03′52″W / 29.91733°N 90.06441°W, built around 1915.
- A commercial building at 600 2nd Street, 29°55′05″N 90°03′51″W / 29.91804°N 90.0643°W, built around 1890.
- Saint Josephs Roman Catholic Church at 610 6th Street, 29°54′53″N 90°03′42″W / 29.91482°N 90.06158°W, built in 1926.
- A house at 216 Lafayette Street, 29°55′06″N 90°03′47″W / 29.91841°N 90.06315°W, built around 1850.
- Lee Hall at 301 Lavoisier Street, 29°55′03″N 90°03′48″W / 29.91745°N 90.06338°W, built around 1910. This building is no longer standing.
- Most Holy Sacrament College at 614 7th Street, 29°54′50″N 90°03′40″W / 29.91401°N 90.06112°W, built in 1899.
- David Crockett Fire Hall at 205 Lafayette Street, 29°55′08″N 90°03′47″W / 29.91875°N 90.06297°W, built in 1859.
- Gretna Elementary School at 701 Amelia Street, 29°54′55″N 90°03′30″W / 29.91538°N 90.05844°W, built around 1925.
- A mansion at 919 Amelia Street, 29°54′49″N 90°03′26″W / 29.91371°N 90.05709°W.
