The history of the development of Westwego follows the successions through which two plantations, the Ames and the Zeringue Plantations, have passed.

The Zeringue family sold land to New Orleans Mobile & Chattanooga -Railroad in 1870, which was taken over by Texas and Pacific Railroad. When they were linked with the West, it was first called ''WEST-WE-GO" by railroad conductors as it was the last community before the trains headed west.

The name WESTWEGO was first publicized in 1873 when the construction of the railroad west of New Orleans was commenced at Westwego. The name Westwego applied principally to the railroad yard.

The community was incorporated as the Village of Westwego on,January 18, 1919 and then as a town on September 16, 1919. On October 23, 1951, the Town of Westwego became incorporated as the City of Westwego.