Editing Harahan, Louisiana (section)

==History==
Harahan occupies land which was once part of the Soniat Plantation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1849 Kenner, Soniat, & Labarre|url=http://websitesneworleans.com/neworleansmaps/id112.html|access-date=2021-01-27|website=websitesneworleans.com}}</ref> The area was historically known for ideal conditions to use as farming and raising cattle. In the late 1800s, part of the former plantation was used as an experimental farm operated by [[Southern University and a&M College|Southern University and A&M College]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-29|title=Southern University: From New Orleans to Scotlandville (1880-1914)|url=http://www.creolegen.org/2016/03/29/3558/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=CreoleGen|language=en-US}}</ref>

Non-agricultural development began in 1894, when the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] (now [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]]) built a repair yard and roundhouse adjacent to the current city hall. In 1914, the Harahan Land Company, composed of ICRR officials, bought the Southern University tract of land and subdivided it. Residents included railroad workers, river workers and truck farmers. The village of Harahan was incorporated in 1920–named after [[James Theodore Harahan]], the ICRR President.<ref name="Deubler">{{Cite web|last=Deubler|first=Jeremy|title=O-K Line: Harahan Barn & Ferry Crossing - Stop 3 of 4 in the O-K Rail Line, Kenner to New Orleans tour|url=https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/300|access-date=2021-01-27|website=New Orleans Historical|language=en}}</ref>

Prior to the [[Huey P. Long Bridge (Jefferson Parish)|Huey P. Long Bridge]] being built, Harahan was one of few points on the entire Mississippi River where railcars could cross. The Illinois Central and [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroads]] maintained a ferry crossing between Harahan and Avondale to carry their railroad cars across the Mississippi River. To reach this ferry, the rail cars traveled up an incline that brought them over the river levee. The three largest barges in the world, the Mastodon, the Mammoth and El Grande once called Harahan home.<ref name="Deubler"/>

In 1908, the Colonial Country Club was built and occupied the old Soniat Plantation home. By 1910, [[Jimmy Wedell|Wedell-Williams]] on the eastern edge of Harahan, had become the de facto New Orleans airport,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Louisiana: Western New Orleans area|url=https://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/LA/Airfields_LA_NewOrleans_W.htm|access-date=2021-01-27|website=[[Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields]]}}</ref> and aviation pioneer [[John Moisant]] died there in a plane accident while preparing for a competition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Times-Picayune|first=Doug MacCash, NOLA com {{!}}|title=John Moisant, aviation pioneer, died a century ago in New Orleans|url=https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/arts/article_d8f19b46-c426-53f4-87e7-f9094b551aa1.html|access-date=2021-01-27|website=NOLA.com|date=December 31, 2010 |language=en}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Harahan dedicated Moisant Park on Hickory Avenue in his honor. This park was later renamed Zeringue Park shortly after [[World War II]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-01|title=City of Harahan|url=https://harahanla.gov/about-us}}</ref> Wedell-Williams operated commercial and military flights through the 1940s.

In 1930, the Huey P. Long Bridge was opened, increasing the importance of Harahan and by 1940, the population had risen to 1,082 citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Huey P. Long Bridge|url=https://www.asce.org/project/huey-p--long-bridge/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=www.asce.org}}</ref>

During World War II, [[Camp Harahan|Camp Plauche]] was established on the current land occupied by Elmwood.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NO_Camp_Plauche|url=http://old-new-orleans.com/NO_Camp_Plauche.html|access-date=2021-01-27|website=old-new-orleans.com}}</ref> In addition to the camp, Freiburg Mahogany manufacturing began producing critical aircraft and boat components for the war effort. This activity spurred economic growth, particularly new homes; Harahan's population tripled during this period. This growth continued after the war.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

By 1960, the population had grown to over 9,000. Numerous improvements were undertaken, including modernizing the police and fire departments, paving more streets and building a water treatment facility. Commercial activity was limited to Jefferson Highway and the northern end of Hickory. The 1970s and early 80s so rapid development of apartment construction on Hickory and areas of Elmwood. Completion of [[Earhart Expressway]], making access to New Orleans proper much easier, influenced this growth as the appeal of Harahan as a “bedroom community.” Today, Harahan is directly influenced by its relationship with the larger surrounding areas including Jefferson Parish and the city of New Orleans.