Chalmette, Louisiana

According to Allcountrylist, Chalmette is a small city located in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, just 8 miles southeast of the city of New Orleans. It has a population of approximately 16,000 people and covers an area of approximately 6 square miles. The city is situated along the banks of the Mississippi River and is bordered by the townships of Arabi to the north and Meraux to the south.

Chalmette is characterized by its flat topography with low-lying areas around the river and higher elevation towards the western part of town. The land consists mostly of agricultural fields but also includes swamps, marshes, and bayous which are home to a variety of wildlife species such as alligators, birds, fish, and reptiles.

According to allcitycodes.com, the climate in Chalmette is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in summer months ranges from 78°F to 90°F while winter temperatures range from 48°F to 68°F. Rainfall occurs throughout the year with an average annual precipitation rate between 50-60 inches per year making it one of the wettest cities in Louisiana.

The area around Chalmette is rich in history dating back hundreds of years when Native Americans first inhabited this region before French settlers arrived in 1708. Over time Chalmette grew into an important port for trade due to its location near New Orleans and its proximity to Lake Borgne which was often used as a waypoint for ships traveling upriver from the Gulf Coast. Today, Chalmette serves as a bedroom community for New Orleans with many residents commuting daily into town for work or leisure activities such as visiting local attractions like Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve or exploring nearby Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.

History of Chalmette, Louisiana

The history of Chalmette, Louisiana dates back centuries before the arrival of European settlers. Native American tribes such as the Choctaw, Houma, and Chitimacha inhabited the area for thousands of years before French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville arrived in 1708. The city was originally founded as a French settlement known as La Nouvelle-Orléans-des-Chalmette and was part of the larger colonial territory known as Louisiana.

During this time, Chalmette served as an important port for trade due to its location near New Orleans and its proximity to Lake Borgne which was often used as a waypoint for ships traveling upriver from the Gulf Coast. In 1815, the Battle of New Orleans was fought between British forces and U.S. forces in Chalmette during the War of 1812 resulting in a decisive victory for General Andrew Jackson and his army.

In the mid-19th century, Chalmette experienced significant growth with an influx of immigrants from Europe due to its booming economy centered around sugar cane production and other agricultural trades. By 1900, it had become one of St. Bernard Parish’s largest cities with a population of over 5,000 people.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Chalmette causing severe flooding throughout much of the city resulting in extensive damage to homes and businesses and displacing many residents who were forced to evacuate their homes. Since then, Chalmette has been slowly rebuilding itself back to its former glory with many new businesses opening up along St Bernard Highway and other areas around town such as Arabi Square Shopping Center providing much needed economic activity to help revive this once vibrant community.

Economy of Chalmette, Louisiana

The economy of Chalmette, Louisiana is centered around the oil and gas industry which has been a major player in the local economy since the late 19th century. The city is home to several large oil refineries and chemical plants, as well as many smaller businesses that provide goods and services to these industries. Additionally, Chalmette’s strategic location near New Orleans has also made it a hub for shipping and transportation activities.

Agriculture is also an important part of Chalmette’s economic base with sugar cane production being one of the city’s main sources of income. This crop is grown on nearby farms and then processed at local sugar mills before being shipped to markets throughout the region. Other agricultural products such as seafood, poultry, cattle, and dairy are also produced in Chalmette for both local consumption and export.

In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important to Chalmette’s economy with many visitors coming to town for work or leisure activities such as visiting local attractions like Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve or exploring nearby Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, there are many restaurants, bars, shops, and other businesses catering to tourists that help generate revenue for the city.

Finally, Chalmette is home to numerous small businesses that provide goods and services to residents in addition to those mentioned above such as auto repair shops, hardware stores, banks, real estate companies, medical centers and more. These businesses are often family-run operations that have been passed down from generation to generation providing stability for the community while simultaneously helping drive economic growth throughout St Bernard Parish.

Politics in Chalmette, Louisiana

The politics of Chalmette, Louisiana are dominated by the Democratic Party, which has held a majority in the city since its incorporation in 1821. The current mayor of Chalmette is Thomas P. O’Brien, who has been in office since 2014 and is running for re-election in 2021.

The City Council is composed of seven members who are elected from single-member districts and serve four-year terms. This body is responsible for approving local ordinances and budgets, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city government. In addition to this, the City Council also appoints members to various committees that oversee specific matters such as public safety, infrastructure, and economic development.

Chalmette is part of St Bernard Parish which is represented by two members in the Louisiana House of Representatives and one member in the Louisiana Senate. These representatives are responsible for introducing legislation that affects not just Chalmette but also all other cities within St Bernard Parish. Additionally, they are also tasked with representing their constituents’ interests at the state level.

At the federal level, Chalmette is represented by two members in Congress: Cedric Richmond (D) represents Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district while Steve Scalise (R) represents Louisiana’s 1st congressional district. Both representatives work to ensure that their constituents’ needs are met and that their voices are heard on Capitol Hill when it comes to important issues such as healthcare reform or immigration policy.

Overall, Chalmette’s politics are characterized by a strong Democratic presence at both local and state levels combined with bipartisan representation at the federal level which helps ensure that all voices within this community have a chance to be heard on important matters affecting them directly or indirectly.