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Metairie, the first surburb of New Orleans, is located on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, between New Orleans and the City of Kenner. Located in Jefferson Parish, Metairie has a population of about 450,000 residents.
Jefferson Parish straddles the Mississippi River and includes towns and cities which are governed by their respective local governments, including the cities of Kenner and Harahan on the east bank, Gretna and Westwego on the west bank, and Grand Isle on the Gulf of Mexico. Metairie is not a city and it has no mayor or local government of its own. As part of Jefferson Parish, Metairie is governed by the Jefferson Parish Council.
New Orleans has long been the largest city in Louisiana, and one of the premier cities in the world. It is the site the French Quarter, Canal Street, and many world-class hotels such as the Roosevelt, Jung and Monteleone.
As New Orleans grew, "surburban" areas like Metairie flourished during the 1930s, as automobiles became a more dominant and affordable means of transportation, and more highways were constructed. Tourist courts were built, offering the privacy and comfort of a one-room accommodation.
Whether they were called courts, cottages, cabins, or lodges, they offered similar amenities. Gradually a newer, but similar, concept evolved: the motel, between an auto tourist camp and the traditional downtown hotel. And many adopted the "art deco" theme popular at the time.
Some of our favorite "tourist courts" and a few older motels located in the New Orleans area are shown below. You can also view more Louisiana area tourist courts and motels from the Alexandria Postcard Collection.
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