HLS 202ES-732 ORIGINAL
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 55
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLARD
COMMENDATIONS: Commends the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association on
attaining historic designation on the National Register of Historic Places for the
neighborhood of Pontchartrain Park in Orleans Parish
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association on attaining historic
3 designation on the National Register of Historic Places for the neighborhood of
4 Pontchartrain Park in Orleans Parish.
5 WHEREAS, on June 23, 2020, Pontchartrain Park was listed on the National Register
6of Historic Places as "Pontchartrain Park Historic District", recognizing the sixty-five year
7old community's significance in Louisiana history; and
8 WHEREAS, the designation was achieved under the leadership of Gretchen
9Bradford, the president of the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association, or PPNA, and
10the PPNA's Historic Committee; the members of the committee include Carrie Mingo-
11Douglas, Wiletta Ferdinand, Wilfred Arnolie, Patrick Clementine, Gaynell Lawrence, and
12Elder Delerez Perkins; and
13 WHEREAS, Pontchartrain Park was built between 1955 and 1961, and the
14neighborhood was one of the first suburban-style subdivisions developed specifically for
15African Americans to own a home in the segregated South; it is located in the affluent
16Gentilly neighborhood, and many middle- and upper-class African-American families were
17drawn to the new development; the neighborhood thus became a symbol that the "American
18dream" could be achieved by all; and
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HR NO. 55
1 WHEREAS, many Pontchartrain Park homes were sold to World War II veterans
2through the GI Bill, creating a neighborhood filled with young families whose children
3would grow up together and create a community cohesion that can be seen even today; and
4 WHEREAS, Pontchartrain Park is the site of numerous landmark achievements for
5the African-American community in Orleans Parish; it contained a golf course designed by
6African-American architect Joseph M. Bartholomew which was the first course that he
7designed and was allowed to play on; Southern University was established in Pontchartrain
8Park to provide higher education for black students in the area; additionally, the
9neighborhood is home to Wesley Barrow Stadium, a baseball field where Negro League
10baseball games were played; and
11 WHEREAS, Pontchartrain Park is truly an iconic, historic landmark in Louisiana
12history, and the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association is most deserving of
13recognition for attaining historical designation for the area.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
15Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood
16Association on attaining historic designation on the National Register of Historic Places for
17the neighborhood of Pontchartrain Park in Orleans Parish; does hereby recognize
18Pontchartrain Park as a true historical landmark in Louisiana; and does hereby extend sincere
19hopes and wishes that the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association continue to prosper
20as they safeguard this historic location.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
22Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 55 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Willard
Commends the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association on attaining historic
designation on the National Register of Historic Places for the neighborhood of
Pontchartrain Park in Orleans Parish.
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