Arabi, Louisiana

Arabi is a “census district” of just over 8,000 residents immediately downriver from New Orleans located in St. Bernard parish. Originally called Stockyard Landing as most of the slaughter houses serving New Orleans were located here.

In 1880 Orleans parish passed a law banning slaughter houses within the city limits. The business interests in Stockyard Landing bristled at this and desired to separate from Orleans wishing to transfer dominion to St. Bernard parish.

The village actually derives its name from Arabi Pasha an Egyptian revolutionary. He led a fiery revolt against Tewfik Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, as well as the increasing British influence over the country. In the process he set fire to much of Alexandria.

The locals in Stockyard Landing burned down their courthouse in 1890 so felt a natural affinity to the Egyptian colonel. According to a 1941 account published by the Federal Writers’ Project, the locals chose the name “because the incendiary activities of an Arabian sheik were at that time much in the news.”

In the early 20th century, many gambling dens were located on Friscoville Ave. At the time New Orleans had imposed a ban on gambling within city limits and Arabi was conveniently located just outside the parish. At one point five gambling establishments were located in the 100 block of the avenue. These continued to operate into the 1950s.

Our house is located near the Chalmette Battlefield, the site of Colonel Jackson’s last stand against the British in the war of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans. Think of the famous Johnny Horton song:

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip’
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans[…]

We fired our cannon ’til the barrel melted down
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
We filled his head with cannonballs ‘n’ powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind

Johnny Horton “Battle of New Orleans”

Ironically the battle was fought after the Treaty of Ghent ended the war.

Now Arabi is a desirable suburb of the Greater New Orleans Metro Area. Recently it was the 6th hottest real estate market in the country.