re: TulaneLSU's Top 10 nighttime signs on Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Great history.
Good arguments.

But...
Two disagreements:

1

quote:

---

There were many factors leading to the boom along Veterans. Outsiders are quick to posit a correlation between Metairie and Kenner’s growth and public school integration. While this factor played a role with some, as you can see the vestiges of that racism among NOLA posters even on this board, it was not the primary nor the first factor for most.

---

This is only true of the early settlers of the late 50s and early to mid 60s. One could buy a large lot and build a modern 3 bedroom and two bath single private home cheaper than a 2 bedroom one bath shotgun in New Orleans. Of course you were leaving civilized amenities like corner stores and public transportation behind. This is why they have 1 and 2 car garages. Massive racial problems in Orleans Parish was the main driver, in the 70s, for Jefferson growth after the pioneers had civilized the swamp. Yes the growing population also played a factor in the growth of JP, NO East, the N Shore, and West Bank. But the vast percentage of immigrants to JP were white while NO became a “Chocolate City”.

quote:

---

Prytania always afforded us space, security, and supremacy.

---

Uptown has a long uninterrupted history of being of the Caucasian persuasion that most other parts of the city, except the likes of Lake Shore, cannot claim.

2

quote:

---

Most of its inhabitants say they are against big government and government interference in business and personal affairs. Yet many of their very homes and neighborhoods are a product of vast government programs, none less important than the G.I. Bill, without which Metairie and Kenner might still be piddling swamp towns. Veterans from World War II and the Korean War qualified for low interest mortgages through this G.I. Bill and could finally own a decent place just five miles from downtown.

---

Ah no.
The GI Bill didn’t build the Quarter, Marigny, Uptown, Carrollton, Old Metairie, River front Kenner, etc. You confuse causation, with speed. Metairie and Northern Kenner would have grown with private investment just like the other areas did, just a little slower and patch worked way.

The GI Bill could have just as easily knocked down shotguns and built multiple storied residences like Nort Eastern brownstones, as it could slabbed single family suburban residencies. The GI Bill just increased the speed of colonization at the same time of a population boom, automobile independence from public transportation, super markets, and malls. You rightfully point out I-10 as a spur to settlement, and like the GI Bill was a Federal government program. But neither was big government that demands that one buy a product program.

GI Bill, was payback to draftees who lived and labored under conditions worse than 19th Century American slavery. They labored, suffered, and died for a pittance. Like the Bonus after WW I, this was a thank you offered to our servicemen. The Interstate System was a Defense program. The US had difficulty fighting a transcontinental two front war that required massive transportation of men and supplies. Ike saw the effects of Germany’s autobahns on helping their war fighting abilities. Also the German Airforce was able to use them as emergency hidden airfields. But they were not built to drain the swamps of Northern JP. Not causation, again speed related. State, Parish, and private roads and transportation companies would have answered the need. Private automobiles have.

I think you will be hard pressed to find a small government advocate who would decry taking care of the troops and funding national defense even with eminent domain as long as it conforms to the 5th Amendment. This is a straw dog argument.

Back in the day, if my mom didn't want to trek all the way over to Schwegmann's on Airline, she'd load us up in the car and head down Transcontinental to what she called Economical. It was actually Zuppardo's.

Miss you every day, Mom - you were somethin' else!

quote:

---

Back in the day, if my mom didn't want to trek all the way over to Schwegmann's on Airline, she'd load us up in the car and head down Transcontinental to what she called Economical. It was actually Zuppardo's.

---

It was Economical first. Then transformed to Zuppardo’s Economical, and finally just plain Zuppardo’s.

Mom’s always right!

I enjoyed reading his post more than anything you’ve ever posted. Ever.

Friends,

My list is for current Veterans signs. If I were to include signs of the past, of course classics like Tiffin Inn, The Fun Arcade, Luther's, Pancho's, Sal and Sam's, and Paradise Lanes would be on the list.

And yes, all of these signs are current signs, including the newly installed ones at Zuppardo's and Swamp Room. Drive by them and compare.

Sternly,
TulaneLSU

Lamp Lighter is the goat.... and a Vets original...

I made groceries at Dorinacs many times.

quote:

---

Plantation Fried Chicken

---

Was basically one building from Fun Arcade...

quote:

---

Was basically one building from Fun Arcade...

---

And before that the trampoline joint.

Anyone else remember the super slide? I think it was on Vets toward Kenner. I slipped off my burlap sack and got a brush burn of biblical proportions. My parents were mad at me for goofing off and not the “unsafe practices” of the establishment. It was a different age!