7.  Lafayette & Lake Pontchartrain RR   Gauge unk.   1854   Partially built

In 1852 this RR gained permission to build a RR from the Mississippi River, out Jackson Street (now Ave.), crossing Niaides and the N. O. & Carrollton RR, thence to a landing on Lake Pontchartrain.  This project would, if finished, threaten the NO&C's proposed subsidiary (Jefferson & Lake Pontchartrain) to the lake, establishing its landing at Bucktown.  The main obstacle to the L&LP was the NO&C streetcar line on Jackson Street (see Streetcars section, NO&C RR Co., p. c).

The L&LP was a serious project, advertising proposals for construction materials — the RR office was at Apollo and Jackson (DP 3/25/1853).  The RR offered to “pay for widening Jackson St.” (DP 5/25/1853), and the next year announced $50,000 subscribed for “locomotive built” (!) surveys made and iron purchased (DP 1/6/1854).  The 7 mile projected RR is clearly drawn and correctly positioned on Norman's Plan of New Orleans & Environs, 1854, B. M. Norman Publishers, 6 Baywood ______, 120 Water St., New York.

After the contention over the use of Jackson St. subsided, news of the L&LP almost disappeared.  A decade later, the end of the L&LP was the subject of news items.  When the RR was seized by the sheriff and sold (SS 7/5/1854), iron, wood, and tracks were mentioned.  There was an injunction to hold all property (No. 9196 of 7/15/1855) with a more complete description of property, actually listing “cars.”  Suits continued on the matter and the plaintiffs continued for years (NOT 2/28/1964, also see NOT 2/13/1864 and 2/19/1864).  No further information available.

8.  U. S. Army — Railroad to Ammo Dump

The Daily True Delta of December 22, 1865 has a reference proving the existence of a government railway that may well be the military line to a huge ammo dump located halfway between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, well away from “civilization” (for obvious safety and security considerations):  “The tramway on St. Joseph St.” — “Government contractors are busy dismantling the tramway on St. Joseph St., warehouse, offices, fences, depot, etc.  At the lake it's entirely taken down, and cannot be done too speedily for satisfaction of our citizens.”

Apparently the line provided some manner of railway transport for military personnel, workers, or perhaps even authorized visitors, because the J&LP in an 1863 timetable found it necessary to provide this disclaimer: “This is not a government train, and no one will be permitted to ride free.”

Whether the Ordnance Dept. or the U. S. Military RRs operated the line is not known.

Copyright © 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Louis C. Hennick.  All rights reserved.

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