Welcome to Westwego

While the entrance sign to Westwego claims it was founded in 1892, other historical reports give a date of 1870, when the Texas and Pacific Railroads set up shop on the Mississippi River at the canal connecting Bayou Segnette to the river.

From the official City of Westwego website:

No one is quite sure how the town got its name, though Westwego was the location from which the railroad was compensated by the State to build a railroad to the west. Folklore holds that as travelers departed the station they heard rail workers yell “west we go”. A railroad engineer, G. W. R. Bayley, first publicized the name in 1873 when he wrote, “The construction of the railroad west of New Orleans was commenced at Westwego, opposite the Western boundary of the city (New Orleans), in the latter part of May 1870.”

Westwego, located southwest of the city of New Orleans, is a city with a rich history of fishermen and the place on the West Bank to buy fresh fish and seafood.  The newly opened seafood and farmer’s market in Salaville is lined with booths owned by the very folks who are out on the water early each morning, bringing you the freshest catch the area has to offer.  Historic Salaville, which is also home to the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, Teatro Wego Dinner Theatre and the Westwego Arts Center.

Other Westwego Attractions

Bayou Segnette State Park

Alario Center

Westwego Swamp Adventures Tour

Westwego Arts Center - 401 Sala Avenue

Westwego Goverment

Although Westwego is a part of Jefferson Parish, the city has its own mayor, city council and police department. 

Contact information for Westwego city government.

Jefferson Parish Assessor’s Office - information on property taxes in Westwego and other parts of Jefferson Parish

Local Schools

Jefferson Parish Public School Information

New Orleans Metro Area Parochial School Information