How did Earhart Boulevard get its name?
Hey Blake,
Earhart Boulevard's in a mess these days. It got me wondering how it got its name. I know you can tell me the answer.
E. Brown
Dear E.B.,
The boulevard, built in 1952 along the former right of way of a railroad, was one of the first new expressways completed in the city. It was named for Fred A. Earhart, who had served as commissioner of Public Utilities. But that was not his only accomplishment.
Earhart was born to German parents in New Orleans in 1875. He graduated from Loyola University, where he later taught pharmacy. In addition, he established a successful chain of drugstores in New Orleans.
He was active in politics and was a state senator from 1912 to 1920. From 1920 to 1949, Earhart was a member of the City Council. He was even mayor of New Orleans, but only for a day: July 15, 1936. In the summer of that year, Earhart was one of three acting mayors who served between the resignation of Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley and the accession of Robert Maestri. The other two fellows were A. Miles Pratt and Jesse S. Cave. Earhart continued to serve as commissioner of public utilities in the Maestri administration.
Earhart died in 1952 at the age of 77.
