History of Chalmette

Chalmette, Louisiana is best known as the site of the Battle of New Orleans. As such, it is still the home of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, which is currently being repaired.

Chalmette is the parish seat of St. Bernard Parish. St. Bernard Parish was originally settled by Los Islenos, a group of Spanish settlers who had been living in the Canary Islands. The first group came in 1779 and established the settlements known as St. Bernard and Toca Villages. By the 1840’s, at least ten sugar plantations were established by former Isleno settlers. Chalmette was originally named for a plantation owner named Martin de Lino de Chalmette.

Many people often associate Chalmette immediately with the Battle of New Orleans. This battle was the final major battle of the War of 1812. This great battle occurred in 1815 and was won by Colonel Andrew Jackson, defending New Orleans and defeating the British invasion. Above is a picture of a tower at the site of the battle.

Trapping of fur bearing animals was always an important industry to Louisiana since its inception as a French colony. But it became an important livelihood for the Islenos following the Civil War. Before World War II, the marshes of St. Bernard Parish were nationally recognized for their abundance of mink, muskrat, and other animals with fur. All of these produced pelts, which were highly prized in the manufacture of coats and clothing. The Islenos in general had a new prosperity as a result of their trapping and commercial fishing. Before the 1940s, the fur industry was a multi-million dollar industry in Louisiana. Another reason that Chalmette and St. Bernard parish were settled was because it was the first port and stop along the Mississippi River.

Eventually, roads were improved in the 1920’s, which stopped the isolation of the Islenos who began traveling to sell goods. After World War II, many people started to seek work opportunities in large industrial facilities developed along the Mississippi River, which continued into the 1950’s. After World War II, racial tensions caused the white population of the lower 9th ward to segregate themselves. The term “white flight” is often used for this action, though often denied by people from the area due to its implication of racism.

After Hurricane Katrina, all of St. Bernard Parish, including Chalmette, was destroyed. Many of the buildings were judged to be beyond saving. However, Chalmette is gradually recovering. Many businesses have returned to the area, and schools have reopened. The population dramatically decreased after the storm and is definitely still below population levels from before the devastation.

One location that is central in Chalmette includes the temporary St. Bernard parish library, located in a trailer. We visited this library, and noticed the major lack of books that were a result of the losses from Katrina. Chalmette also is home to six Christian churches of multiple denominations. Chalmette also provides the community with a college education through the Elaine Nunez Community College. The Community Center is primarily used for welfare program assistance and aid for the community members. Historic sites, though more tourist based than community-based, include the National Cemetery and the Chalmette Battlefield (site of the Battle of New Orleans).