Gentilly Woods (Shreveport, Claiborne, St. Gabriel: house, theatre, school)

[desol11]

i worked there when i was in highschool that was 97/98

[Drouzin]

I'll bet you know my BIL J.H. I think he was in management at that time.

[writerdeman]

Originally Posted by inave

I haven't lived in the N.O. area snce 1985 and haven't even visited much since the big K. Having reached that nostalgic age, I've been trying to get info on the Gentilly Woods area, specifically Congress Drive. I lived there until fourth grade. I can't even find W.C.C. Claiborne Elementary School on the internet. Is it still there? I think our address was 1633 or something like that. If you have any info on this area, I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

I drove through Gentilly today. The houses looked lovely, but it's my understanding that a lot of the ones closer to the lake are empty. Nice neighborhood. I hope it comes back.

[inave]

Writerdeman, did you drive down Congress Drive? I also had a childhood friend who lived on Mark Twain. At the time, I thought they'd move to the "big house" section! It was a nice neighborhood way back then.

[tokdl]

I lived with my folks on Congress Dr. for many many years, got my own place two years prior to the storm, I pass down Congress Dr. often, only to recapture some of the good memories, other times I dont even know why. Their home was removed due to extensive damage. However the neighborhood is very slowly returning, it looks much much better than last year around this time, many of the trailers are gone, but theirs still much work to be done. We moved to that area in 1989, and truthfully it was a very nice place to live, although many years later, the young trouble makers grew up, with that came crime, trash and disrespect for others and their property. The short cuts became "quick get-aways" rather than a convenience for everyone. My folks made the decision to move before the storm, but Katrina just forced them to move on. My little brother attended Claiborne Elementary, I dont see many of the people I knew in the past, but it's not at all a "forgotten" area, the strip mall is closed, and yes... as of now, it's mainly fast food places to eat, but if I recall... that's all their was before the storm as well, with the exception of Pizza Hut I've since decided to make a move to Murfreesboro TN in hopes for advancement. I hope I was able to help you out... if you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. I apologize if what I mentioned sounded harsh, I dont mean it to be, this is just my perspective.

[inave]

tokdl, thanks for the info. Although we moved away MANY years before you did, it was also a great place to live and I have some great memories. Good luck in Murfreesboro. I was there last fall for a meeting and really loved it. It's such a neat town and not far from Nashville. Ironically, once again, you won't be very far from us as we now live in East TN. Hope all goes well for you.

[tokdl]

Thank you! That's very good to know, I'm quite a bit nervous making this move, but I hear many good things about middle TN, so I'm trying to maintain a positive out look.

[wallyburger]

Did a Google search for a teacher I used to have in Kindergarten at WCC Claiborne - came across this forum. It was great to read some of the posts. I grew up in the late 60s and early to mid 70s there. Lived on Mark Twain Drive (just behind the big Sears store which was across from Wild Bill Ford).

I remember playing ball, tag and just about every other game at Harris Playground - getting snacks at the shack just behind the basketball courts. My sister used to life guard at the pool there. We used to ride our bike to the levee and my mom would bust us because that was off limits.

Took piano lessons at Werleins at the mall; used to sit at the snack bar at Walgreen's and get a big milk shake in those silver blender cups. I miss those days of riding bikes all over the place and using "cut-thru's". Remembering it was a big deal to catch the bus and spend the day downtown with you mom - going to DH Holmes and looking at all the candy at the candy counter...hoping you mom would let you get a few pieces.

I also remember making groceries on Saturday mornings at Schweggmans...where else could you get your shoes repaired, buy appliances, and get something to eat with a beer before you even made it down the first grocery isle.

Who ever started this post - thanks - it was nice to remember growing up in the city.

[Drouzin]

going to DH Holmes and looking at all the candy at the candy counter

Oh my gosh, was that not the most beautiful candy in the world?! We would go in and little sis would be like one of those Garfield suction cup things on the glass. The whole time in the store I would repeatedly ask if we could get some candy when we leave.

When I was a kid my plan was to run away to Canal St. because the street lights had the cross the street signs, and I would live in Maison Blanche.

Thanks for the memory jog Wally

[toupsee]

Who were your teachers? Mine were Mrs. Hesso, Miss Schneider, Mrs. Allane, Miss Blasieine (?) Mrs. Picou, Mr. Villisanna. Man, I can't believe I remembered that.