The area had long been agricultural land when the town of Mandeville was laid out in 1834 by developer Bernard de Marigny.

It became a popular summer destination for well-to-do New Orleanians wishing to escape the city's heat.

Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit, Papa Celestin, George Lewis, Kid Ory, Edmond Hall, Chester Zardis, and many other early jazz artists regularly played in Mandeville.

The Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in January 1895.

(This was one of the earliest "Dew Drop" dance halls; venues across the South were similarly named, including the club in New Orleans where Little Richard got his start.)

The new road spurred the growth of Mandeville and the surrounding area as a suburban commuter community for people working in New Orleans.

Mandeville was affected by Hurricane Katrina's storm surge on August 29, 2005, and received water and wind damage.

Parts of the city also experienced less dramatic flooding when Lake Pontchartrain overflowed its banks due to Hurricane Ike in 2008.

[17] Sunset Point Fishing Pier and Park extends over 400 feet (120 m) onto Lake Pontchartrain.

[40] Mandeville is the hometown of Cajun fiddler and bandleader Amanda Shaw, the rock group 12 Stones, YouTube personality TJ Kirk, the post-hardcore band As Cities Burn, Wilco bassist John Stirratt, and The Price Is Right model Rachel Reynolds.

Actress Allison Scagliotti grew up in Mandeville, as did former US soccer national team player Jason Kreis before entering MLS.

Singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams spent time in Mandeville as a child and noted the town in her song "Crescent City", which has been covered by others including Emmylou Harris.

[41] Mandeville has an active political scene, with Eddie Price having been elected mayor for several terms commencing in 1996.

He stepped down as mayor on October 9, 2009, and subsequently pleaded guilty to charges including tax evasion and depriving citizens of honest services through mail fraud.

Author Margaux Fragoso spent the final years of her life in Mandeville with her second husband, Tom O'Connor, and her daughter, Alicia McGowan, from her first marriage.