Lost Plantations of the South

By JHS Member Dr. Marc R. Matrana

Following on his success with Lost Plantation: The Rise and Fall of Seven Oaks, which chronicled the life and demise of Westwego's grand mansion, Matrana documents the fate of more than 70 other southern mansions, including Jefferson Parish's Elmwood Plantation. This book is available from Amazon.com or the University of Mississippi Press.

Historic Jefferson Parish: From Shore to Shore

By Betsy Swanson

Written by Jefferson Parish's leading historian in the mid-1970s, Historic Jefferson Parish: From Shore to Shore has recently been re-printed in softbound form. The book is available from Pelican Publishing of Gretna, can be found in local bookstores, and is available for viewing at any parish library.

Jefferson Parish Politicians of the Past and Present: 1825-2001

By Frank J. Borne, Jr.

Written by an employee of the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, the book was compiled largely by research in courthouse records. The book, now out of print, was published in 2001. It is available for viewing at any Jefferson Parish Library.

Metairie: A Tongue of Land to Pasture

By Msgr. Henry C. Bezou

Written by a respected historian in the mid-1970's, Metairie: A Tongue of Land to Pasture has recently been re-printed in softbound form. The book is available in local bookstores and is available for viewing at any parish library.

Wild About Harry

By Deno Seder

Written by Deno Seder, this book profiles Jefferson Parish's most popular and controversial political figure--Sheriff Harry Lee. The book was published in 2001 and is available in local bookstores.

Mel Ott: The Little Giant of Baseball

By Fred Stein

Written by Fred Stein, this biography of Gretna native Mel Ott chronicles Ott's success in major league baseball. It is available in most bookstores and on Amazon.com.

Westwego Remembered

By Daniel P. 'Dan" Alario, Sr. & Zenobia "BeBe" Rebstock Alario

Written by respected Westwego historians, the book is available for purchase at the Westwego Historical Museum located at 275 Sala Ave., Westwego, and is available for viewing at any parish library.

Westwego Salutes the Military

By Daniel P. 'Dan" Alario, Sr. & Zenobia "BeBe" Rebstock Alario

Written by respected Westwego historians, the book is available for purchase at the Westwego Historical Museum located at 275 Sala Ave., Westwego, and is available for viewing at any parish library.

The Legacy of John McDonogh

By G. Leighton Ciravolo

Written by the authority on the subject, this book profiles the life and legacy of the somewhat controversial, antebellum benefactor to local public schools. Published in 2002 by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, details may be found at www.johnmcdonogh.com.

Images of America: Metairie

By Catherine Campanella

Written by a longtime resident of Metairie, Metairie, of Arcadia Books' Images of America Series, chronicles the origins of one of Jefferson Parish's largest communities. Dozens of rare old maps and photographs illustrate the development of this suburb of New Orleans. Published 2008, available via www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Ochsner's: An Informal History of the South's Largest Private Medical Center

By John Wilds

Written by a former correspondent and bureau chief for the New Orleans States-Item, Oschner's provides an informal look at the history of one of Jefferson Parish's largest employers and its largest private medical facility, located on Jefferson Highway. Published 1985, available from Louisiana State University Press.