Entry 1 ~ History of Norco

As early as the late 18th century, the area that is currently known as Norco was used for plantations that grew sugarcane. The land was officially given the name “Sarpy” when a post office opened around April, 1886. In December of 1894, Thomas Sellers purchased the land and the town name was changed to “Sellers.” Under Thomas Sellers, the town developed positions for a Sheriff, an Assessor, a Clerk of the Court, and a Superintendent.

After the turn of the 19th century, business in Sellers changed from agriculture and lumber to industry when oil became the prominent focus of industrialists. In 1916, E.B. Rowan obtained four hundred and sixty acres in Sellers and opened the New Orleans Refinery Company. Homes were built around the refinery as employment and population began to rise. Built between Sellers and the former town of Good Hope (both of which are present day Norco,) mail was sent to post offices of both towns, which created problems for the New Orleans Refinery Company. The post mistress of Sellers, Lillie Schexnaildre, and manager of the company, Charles Melancon, met to develop a solution. By using the first letters of the words of the Refinery’s name, the name “Norco” was created.

Prior to the name change, Shell Oil Company bought land and began business producing energy. This opening produced numerous jobs that drew habitants from many nearby parishes. Population continued to rapidly increase as Shell put Norco on the map as an industrial hot spot.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, several other jobs and businesses opened in Norco as the town continued to develop. The Luling-Hahnville Bank opened a branch and doctors began to migrate to the area. It was also during this time that construction of churches began as Catholicism became the most prominent religion. Shell Oil and the New Orleans Refinery Company opened private schools to best accommodate their employees’ children. As far as public schools in Norco, they remained segregated until a local court order finally enforced the Brown ruling in 1965.

Norco’s industry had yet to peak. In 1955, Shell Oil opened the Shell Chemical Company, which continued to increase employment. By 1972, the plant had more than doubled in size. Shell also built tennis courts, swimming courts, a baseball stadium, and a golf course for their employees. Today, Shell still employs hundreds of Norco residents.