Gentilly: A Diverse and Resilient New Orleans Neighborhood
Gentilly is a broad, racially diverse, and lower-middle-income section of New Orleans, Louisiana. Defined by its unique geography and a spirit of resilience, the neighborhood serves as a vital residential and educational hub within the city. It is bounded by Lake Pontchartrain to the north, France Road to the east, Bayou St. John to the west, and the CSX Transportation railroad tracks to the south.
Key Facts
- Geography: Built around the Gentilly Ridge, a natural stretch of high ground.
- Education: Home to three major universities: University of New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans, and Dillard University.
- Infrastructure: Hosts the FBI New Orleans Field Office.
- Resilience: Significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina and a 2007 EF2 tornado.
- Culture: Featured as the setting for Binx Bolling's residence in Walker Percy's novel The Moviegoer.
History and Development
The neighborhood takes its name from Gentilly, a small town in France. Its development in New Orleans began along the Gentilly Ridge, a natural elevation following the former banks of Bayou Gentilly. This ridge provided a critical path from the French Quarter to the Chef Menteur Pass and eventually became Gentilly Boulevard and U.S. Highway 90, part of the historic Old Spanish Trail.
Early settlement was limited to the ridge and Milneburg, which was built on piers along Lake Pontchartrain. Because much of the surrounding land was swampy, the early 20th century saw the creation of Gentilly Terrace, where land was reclaimed by excavating and piling earth to create terraced blocks. By the mid-20th century, improved drainage pumps and higher lakefront levees allowed for the development of the entire area between the ridge and the lake.
Defining the Boundaries
The exact borders of Gentilly are often debated. Some definitions extend the neighborhood into the Upper 9th Ward or include sections east of the Industrial Canal. Conversely, narrower definitions place the western boundary at the London Avenue Canal and the northern boundary at Leon C. Simon Drive, which would exclude areas like Mirabeau Gardens, Vista Park, Oak Park, and the University of New Orleans campus.
Environmental Challenges and Recovery
Gentilly faced severe devastation during Hurricane Katrina. While the Gentilly Ridge and man-made Lakefront sections remained relatively safe, the breach of the London Avenue Canal floodwalls led to widespread flooding. Many homes required extensive gutting and repair. By early 2007, less than half of the pre-Katrina residents and businesses had returned.
The disaster also led to significant changes in local education and faith communities. The Archdiocese of New Orleans closed Redeemer-Seton High School and merged the parishes of St. Raphael and St. Frances Cabrini into the Transfiguration parish.
Further hardship struck on February 13, 2007, when an EF2 tornado hit the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood. The storm destroyed numerous FEMA trailers, killed one elderly woman, and injured ten others, while damaging homes and power infrastructure.
Education and Public Services
Gentilly is a major center for higher education, hosting the University of New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans, and Dillard University, as well as the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The area is served by a mix of public district schools, charter schools, and private institutions.
Notable schools include Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, Lake Area New Tech Early College High School, Gentilly Terrace Charter School, Arthur Ashe Firstline School, Brother Martin High School, and Holy Cross School.
The Norman Mayer Branch Library
The Norman Mayer Branch of the New Orleans Public Library stands as a symbol of the neighborhood's rebirth. After being damaged by Hurricane Katrina, a new $5.7 million, 18,000-square-foot facility opened on March 20, 2012. Designed by Lee Ledbetter & Associates and Gould Evans & Associates, the two-story building features water-saving and electricity-saving technology to reduce utility costs and improve public transportation access.
Transportation and Cityscape
The neighborhood is well-connected via the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA). Key bus routes include the 51, 52, 55, 57, and 94, providing access to the University of New Orleans, Southern University, and downtown corridors.
The cityscape is characterized by several distinct sub-neighborhoods, including Dillard, Filmore, Milneburg, Mirabeau Gardens, Oak Park, Vista Park, Edgewood, Gentilly Terrace, Gentilly Heights, Gentilly Woods (Pontchartrain Park), Lake Oaks, Lake Terrace, and St. Anthony.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Boundaries | Lake Pontchartrain (N), France Rd (E), Bayou St. John (W), CSX Tracks (S) |
| Key Universities | UNO, SUNO, Dillard University |
| Major Thoroughfares | Gentilly Blvd (US-90), Elysian Fields Ave, Franklin Ave |
| Government Presence | FBI New Orleans Field Office |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gentilly Ridge?
The Gentilly Ridge is a long stretch of natural high ground along the former banks of Bayou Gentilly. It served as the foundation for the neighborhood's earliest development and the route for the original Gentilly Road.
How did Hurricane Katrina affect Gentilly?
The neighborhood suffered severe flooding after the London Avenue Canal floodwalls were breached in two locations. This led to a significant population decline and required extensive home repairs.
Which universities are located in Gentilly?
Gentilly is home to the University of New Orleans (UNO), Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), and Dillard University.
What is the significance of the Norman Mayer Branch Library?
Reopened in 2012 after Katrina damage, the library is a state-of-the-art 18,000-square-foot facility designed for energy efficiency and better public accessibility.
Is Gentilly mentioned in literature?
Yes, the neighborhood is the residence of Binx Bolling, the protagonist in Walker Percy's 1961 National Book Award-winning novel, The Moviegoer.