Magnolia’s Historical Roots
If you travel from New Orleans along River Road on the East Bank of the Mississippi River, you will come to a magnificent building at River Road and Central Avenue, a short distance from the Huey P. Long Bridge. Set behind beautiful Magnolia trees and a lush grand lawn is the old Whitehall Manor, the ancestral home of the de la Barre family. The name, which this jewel of the past still bears, was given to the home when it was built in 1857.
Monsieur de La Barre, the original owner, obtained the property in one of Jefferson Parish’s first land sales when he and his brother, Pierre Francois Valant de La Barre, sold land to each other on both sides of the river. At that time, the grounds covered 8,000 acres extending from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain.
During the Civil War, General Morgan, of the House of Morgan in New York City, chose Whitehall for his headquarters because of its proximity to New Orleans and could be reached by a dirt road that led to the Metairie Ridge via what is known today as La Barre Road.
In 1917, I.B. Renyson, a well known real estate agent, purchased the 12 acre site as investment, including the manor. In 1919, he sold it to Morse Boasberg, known to the local elite as “Jack Sheen”, who renamed it Suburban Gardens. Converted to a gambling casino, the manor featured dancing to the music of well known orchestras, including Louis Armstrong, and dining in a fabulous restaurant. The meals were delicious, the music superb, and if Lady Luck smiled on you, your trip home was delightful.
Magnolia School is Born
In 1921, the wife of a local pediatrician gave birth to a child with a developmental disability. Wishing to provide for his son, Dr. Charles Bloom soon realized that special training would be required. He quickly discovered that there were no schools available to meet his son’s needs, and in turn led a group of businessmen in search of finding property to build such a school.
The Jesuits, who were operating a retreat house in Whitehall, decided in 1935 to move Manresa Retreat House to its present location in Convent, Louisiana. Dr. Bloom heard that this property was for sale, and thus Magnolia School was born. Forming a nonprofit corporation, without capital stock, the Board of Governors created the Magnolia School- existing only on private donations and monies received from the tuition of its students.
During the early years, the school operated with Whitehall and a few frame buildings. In 1960, brick dormitories stared to sprout up on the campus: Reiss Cottage and Stern Cottage. Bloom Hall, named after the founder, served as the cafeteria and auditorium. Soon after, Karen and Schwegmann Cottages were added.
Through the able leadership of the Board of Governors and the professional staff, the building program has continued to grow through the years, with the school responding to the needs of the people it serves.
Magnolia Today
Today, Magnolia Community Services is a multi-service non-profit providing support for adults with developmental disabilities as they pursue their best life.
Currently there are five residential homes on campus, twenty three vocational centers, an art studio, greenhouse, multipurpose center, and wellness center. There are also sixteen residential group homes dispersed throughout the community. Additionally, we provide supports to those who choose to live and work in the community through our Supported Living and Supported Employment programs.
We continue to develop facilities and programs, which exceed the requirements, regulations, and laws set forth by the government, so that we may one day achieve our vision, in which all individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, thrive and grow and are recognized for their contributions to society.
