neighborhood on its way out alongside the Orleans Canal to Old Spanish Fort on Lake Pontchartrain. Otherwise, the land after a distance equivalent of a couple blocks back from Metairie Road was swamp. The 1880s and 1890s saw the first work at reclaiming the swampland in the area for development, and by the early 20th century the area back to Florida Avenue was largely drained. There was substantial development, mostly as white middle class residential single family homes, in the 1920s. The area in the back section of Navarre was the site of the United Fruit Company radio facilities, until it was redeveloped residentially in the 1940s. During World War II, the U.S. Navy LCVP's, or Higgins boats, were manufactured in the Navarre section of New Orleans. The foundation of the Higgins boat factory is still visible behind Delgado University. Navarre experienced serious flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Notable residents Ronnie Virgets, author/commentator See also Neighborhoods in New Orleans References Neighborhoods in New Orleans