Shrewsbury, Louisiana facts for kids
Shrewsbury is a small area located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It sits right next to the mighty Mississippi River, about a mile upstream from the famous city of New Orleans. The name Shrewsbury started being used in the mid-1800s. Over time, especially by the late 1900s, the area grew together with other nearby communities. Today, it's usually known as Old Jefferson and is part of the larger Greater New Orleans area.
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How Shrewsbury Got Its Name
The name Shrewsbury has a long history. It began to be used around the middle of the 19th century, which is the 1800s. As the years went by, especially towards the end of the 20th century (the 1900s), the name became less common. This happened because the areas around Shrewsbury, which were also part of Jefferson Parish, grew bigger and closer together. They all became a suburb of New Orleans.
Shrewsbury's Important Roads
In the early 1900s, Shrewsbury Road was a very important path. It was part of the Jefferson Highway, which was also known as State Route 1 and later U.S. Route 61. This road was the main way for cars to get into New Orleans, especially through Metairie Road.
Why Roads Changed
Over time, new and more direct roads were built. These new roads made Shrewsbury Road less important. For example, the Jefferson Highway was extended in 1928, and the Airline Highway was built in 1940. These new routes went straight into South Claiborne Avenue and Tulane Avenue in New Orleans.
The Road's Final Change
A big change happened in June 1957. A railroad crossing on Shrewsbury Road was closed. This happened after a new overpass, the Causeway Boulevard overpass, was finished nearby. Because of this, Shrewsbury Road became broken up and no longer went all the way through.
Public Transport in Shrewsbury
In 1915, Shrewsbury was connected to New Orleans by two different streetcar lines. Streetcars were like electric trains that ran on tracks in the street.
The Orleans-Kenner Line
One line was called the Orleans-Kenner interurban line. People often called it the O-K Line. It carried passengers between Kenner and downtown New Orleans. This line followed the Jefferson Highway and Claiborne Avenue. The O-K Line stopped running in 1930.
The Napoleon Avenue Line
The second streetcar line was an extension of the Napoleon Avenue streetcar. It was finished in 1915. This line traveled along Metairie Road to Shrewsbury Road. However, this streetcar line was shortened in 1934. After that, a bus line took its place, following the Metairie route.
Local Landmarks and History
Shrewsbury has been home to some interesting places over the years.
Jefferson Park Race Track
In 1917, the Jefferson Park Race Track opened. It was located near where Jefferson Highway and Shrewsbury Road met. This race track was a very popular place for horse racing for many years. Later, in 1948, the land where the race track once stood was turned into a neighborhood called the Jefferson Park residential subdivision.
Camp Parapet Powder Magazine
The area is also home to the Camp Parapet Powder Magazine. This is a building that was used to store gunpowder. It is one of the last remaining parts of the American Civil War in the New Orleans area. It helps us remember the history of that important time.
Shrewsbury in Music
Shrewsbury, Louisiana, is even mentioned in a song! It's referred to in the Rhythm & Blues song Shrewsbury Blues. This song was written by Dave Bartholomew and recorded by Tommy Ridgeley, who was from the Shrewsbury area.
