Norco

While you might not have heard of the small town of Norco, you’ve probably filled your vehicle’s tank with gas or diesel from the oil refinery here. Norco grew up around the Shell Manufacturing Complex, one of the earliest petrochemical plants along the Mississippi River, and the area remains a true factory town today. The Norco name comes from the early 1900s, when the business was called the New Orleans Refining Company. This community is located at the edge of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, giving sportsmen and nature lovers here ample opportunities to boat, fish, and hike.

Homes here are overwhelmingly traditional with only one or two contemporary homes found peeking from the tree-lined streets. Because the town runs along the Mississippi River, there’s plenty of opportunity for waterfront views although very few houses enter the market each year. It seems when people find a home in Norco, they don’t care to leave it. When stock is available, odds are you’ll find cottages from the 1940s and ‘50s along with ranch-style residences from the 1960s. Some of them start around $185,000 and generally need a bit of TLC. Others range from $350,000 for an established home with three bedrooms and bathrooms to $500,000 for a waterfront dwelling.

Students in Norco begin their education at Norco Elementary. This facility has been rated one of the ten best public elementary schools in Louisiana by Niche. It creates a firm foundation for students with activities like choir, band, art, and Friendship Club. A one-to-one technology institution, pupils from third to fifth grade do research and assignments on their own Google Chromebooks. Other schools in the area include Harry Hurst Middle and Destrehan High. The latter opened in 1926 and is known for its dual enrollment program with Southeastern Louisiana University.

It’s impossible to talk about Norco without talking about the Shell Manufacturing Complex. Occupying 1,000 acres, it’s one of the largest refineries in North America and converts 250,000 barrels of crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel each day. The plant employs 1,200 workers along with more than 1,000 contractors, many of which live in the surrounding area. Shell also donated land along River Road for the Norco Community Health Center that’s been serving the area for more than a decade.

Bethune Park is a lovely green space found in the center of town. Primarily a sports park, it has multi-purpose fields for baseball and softball games as well as field lights for evening play. But that’s not all Bethune has to offer. There are basketball courts and a pavilion with picnic tables too. Children can enjoy the playground equipment while parents relax on the grass, and should nature call, restrooms aren’t far away either.

Bonnet Carre Spillway is another fantastic outdoor recreation area with activities for the entire family. The Spillway was built in 1931 as a way to move floodwater from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. As a result, the gathered waters make for great fishing and gorgeous views. Whether you’d like to have a day in a kayak or motorized boat, both can set out from one of two launches. Wildlife watchers will have plenty to see with everything from alligators to egrets in the park. Areas for ATVs, model airplane flying, and dog field trials are also available.

If you find yourself hungry, eat where the locals do. Coffee & Norco is a classic 24/7 diner with a wide array of donuts, pastries, brownies, and cookies. Specializing in breakfast and lunch, you can get such staples as shrimp and grits, pork chops and oversized omelets. In business for more than 40 years, the locally owned and operated store is a frequent haunt of the nearby refinery workers.

Norco is a small town on the rural outskirts of New Orleans. It offers residents a home amongst welcoming people and the industry of South Louisiana.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Chase Brock

Video By

Curtis Newkirk