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Abita Springs, Louisiana

Abita Springs is a town in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,365 at the 2010 census, up from 1,957 in 2000. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area.

History
Abita Springs was originally a Choctaw Indian village, taking its name from nearby medicinal springs. The Choctaw burial and execution grounds, which were in use up until around 1880, are located nearby.

Geography
Abita Springs is located at 30.47611°N, -90.035°W (30.476233, -90.035138).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.6 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,631 people, 1,010 households, and 636 families residing in the town.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,957 people, 757 households, and 550 families residing in the town. The population density was 474.3 PD/sqmi. There were 813 housing units at an average density of 197.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.30% White, 3.01% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic, or Latino of any race.

There were 757 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,923, and the median income for a family was $45,208. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $27,368 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,998. 6.7% of the population and 4.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.4% of those under the age of 18 and 11.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy

The Abita Brewing Company was established in 1986 as a microbrewery, and in 1994, they added a brew pub and restaurant. Abita's beer is brewed with the pure water of the artesian wells in Abita Springs.

The UCM Museum (pronounced "you see 'em", and also known as the "Abita Mystery House") is an Abita Springs tourist attraction. The museum features an eclectic collection of antiques (particularly electronics and arcade games) and dozens of examples of proprietor John Preble's folk art, which ranges from the whimsical to the macabre.

The Abita Springs Opry is "a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and preservation of Louisiana roots music". "The Opry" presents six concerts per year of roots music by performers from throughout the United States. The concerts are presented in the auditorium of the Abita Springs Town Hall. The concerts are broadcast on a number of radio stations and on the Southeastern Channel and public-access television cable TV channels throughout the United States.

Education
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools operates local public schools:
 * K-3: Abita Springs Elementary School (Abita Springs)
 * 4-6: Abita Springs Middle School (Abita Springs)
 * 7-8: Fontainebleau Junior High School (unincorporated St. Tammany Parish)
 * 9-12: Fontainebleau High School (unincorporated St. Tammany Parish)

St. Tammany Parish Library operates the Abita Springs Branch.

St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: Northshore Technical Community College and Delgado Community College.

Notable people

 * Dick Hart, professional golfer
 * David Lohr, crime writer
 * Bunny Matthews, cartoonist and writer
 * Michael G. Strain, veterinarian and the incumbent Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner

title: Abita Springs, Louisiana


text:
Covington, Louisiana

Covington is a city in, and the parish seat of, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,564 at the 2020 United States census. It is located at a fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River. Covington is part of the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington,LA metropolitan statistical area. Covington has played a large role in movie making over the past 20 years, featuring in over 30 films.

History

The earliest known settlement by Europeans in the area was in 1800 by Jacques Drieux, during the British West Florida period.

In 1813, John Wharton Collins established a town with the name of Wharton. He is buried on the corner of the city cemetery directly across from the Covington Police Department. On March 11, 1816, the town of Wharton was renamed to that of Covington. There are conflicting stories about how the city came to be named Covington. Many historians believe the city was renamed for General Leonard Covington, a hero of the War of 1812. Covington was killed late in 1813, having established his home in the Mississippi Territory.

Local historian Judge Steve Ellis floats another theory centered on the suggestion by Jesse Jones, a local attorney, that the city be named in honor of the Blue Grass whiskey (made in Covington, Kentucky) enjoyed by town officials. In any case, Leonard Covington is the namesake of both towns.

Originally, commerce was brought to Covington via boat up the Bogue Falaya River, which used the Tchefuncte River as a means of passage to and from Lake Pontchartrain. Then in 1888, the railroad came to town. Much of the former railroad right-of-way is now occupied by the Tammany Trace, a thirty-one mile bike trail running east and west through several communities on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain.

In the late 20th century, with the expansion of Louisiana's road system, many people who worked in New Orleans started living in Covington, commuting to work via the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. With the expansion of the interstate system, Covington experienced a boom of growth. Many people moved to the Northshore for more affordable housing, larger lot size and a small town feeling. This is considered to be associated with white flight out of New Orleans, though the Jefferson Parish area saw the most expansion during that period.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.2 km2, of which 20.7 km2 is land and 0.6 km2, or 2.60%, is water. The city is divided into many subdivisions. Notable ones include the communities of: West 30s, West 20s, Ozone, River Forest, Covington Point, Downtown Covington, as well as Barkley Parc.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,564 people, 3,710 households, and 2,546 families residing in the city. In 2010, the population of Covington was 8,765. At the 2000 United States census, there were 8,483 people, 3,258 households, and 2,212 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,248.0 PD/sqmi. As of 2010, there were 3,565 housing units at an average density of 524.5 /sqmi.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 77.45% White, 20.17% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population. In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 77.6% White, 18.9% Black and African American, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% some other race, and 2.3% two or more races.

At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 3,258 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,949, and the median income for a family was $50,332. Males had a median income of $36,434 versus $23,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,438. About 11.8% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over. The 2019 American Community Survey determined the city had a median income of $71,548 and poverty rate of 13.4%.

Economy
The city is home to Zen-Noh Grain Corporation, a subsidiary of the Japanese cooperative Zen-Noh. as well as the satellite communications company that operates a low Earth orbit satellite constellation, Globalstar. Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights has a manufacturing facility in Covington.

The Tulane National Primate Research Center, a federally funded biomedical research facility affiliated with Tulane University, is situated on 500 acres of land in Covington.

Recreation and tourism

A 10 ft statue of Ronald Reagan on a 6 ft base is reputed to be the world's largest of the former president.

The Covington trail head is the start of Tammany Trace, a 31-mile paved rails-to-trails path for hikers and bicyclists, which connects Covington with Mandeville, Abita Springs, Lacombe and Slidell.

Education
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools operates public schools in Covington.

 * Covington High School (9-12)
 * Pitcher Junior High School (7-8)
 * Pine View Middle School (4-6)
 * Covington Elementary School (K-3)
 * Lyon Elementary School (K-3)

Lee Road Junior High School and Fontainebleau Schools Fontainebleau High/Jr. High also serve a portion of area in Covington.

Private schools

 * Archbishop Hannan High School
 * Christ Episcopal School
 * Kehoe-France School
 * Northlake Christian School
 * Saint Paul's School
 * Saint Scholastica Academy

Notable people

 * Christian Bogle, racing driver
 * Peggy Dow (Peggy Varnadow Helmerich), film actress and philanthropist, lived much of her childhood in Covington
 * Frank Burton Ellis, state senator (1940–1944), U.S. District Court judge, 1962–1965
 * Dave Fortman, guitarist for the band Ugly Kid Joe and current American music producer, graduated from Covington High School
 * Elizabeth Futral, opera soprano reared in Covington. Her father was minister of the Covington First Baptist Church for many years.
 * Daniel F. Galouye, science fiction writer
 * Katherine Haik, Miss Teen USA 2015
 * Heath B. Jones, 14th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
 * Pete Maravich, NBA all-star, lived in Covington until his death in 1988
 * Walker Percy, author and essayist, lived in Covington until his death in 1990
 * Harry Reeks, landscape painter and combat artist for the U.S. Marine Corps.
 * Leon Rene, songwriter
 * Amy Serrano, filmmaker, poet, essayist, and humanitarian
 * Amanda Shaw, Cajun fiddler, singer, and actress
 * Ian Somerhalder, actor and model, born in Covington
 * Stephen Stills, musician
 * Hank Stram, NFL Hall of Fame Coach. Lived in Covington until his death in July 2005
 * Greta Valenti, television producer
 * Theo Von, comedian and podcaster grew up in Covington

In cinema

 * 1995 — Dead Man Walking
 * 1995 — Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long
 * 1997 — Eve's Bayou
 * 2005 — Local Color
 * 2008 — The Yellow Handkerchief
 * 2009 — I Love You Phillip Morris
 * 2010 — The Pregnancy Pact
 * 2012 — The Lucky One
 * 2013 — Beautiful Creatures
 * 2014 — American Ultra
 * 2015 — Joe Dirt 2
 * 2019 — The Highwaymen
 * 2023 — Five Nights at Freddy's

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Covington, Louisiana


text:
Eden Isle, Louisiana

Eden Isle is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The population was 7,041 at the 2010 census, and 7,782 in 2020. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area. The area is a residential community with homes built on a system of canals connecting to eastern Lake Pontchartrain, which also includes businesses along the Interstate-10 corridor as well as restaurants and marina services within the residential section.

Geography
Eden Isle is located at 30.22417°N, -89.80028°W (30.224116, -89.800390).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.8 km2, of which 8.4 km2 is land and 2.5 km2, or 22.82%, is water.

The area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

Originally, the land was a marsh with a canal and levee bordering a pine forest behind Salmen High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School. The marsh was drained and filled over a period of several years prior to the development of the community.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,782 people, 3,225 households, and 2,105 families residing in the CDP.

Education
It is within St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.

The community is zoned to Abney Elementary School, St. Tammany Junior High School, and Salmen High School.

St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: Northshore Technical Community College and Delgado Community College.

title: Eden Isle, Louisiana


text:
Folsom, Louisiana

Folsom is a village in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 716 at the 2010 census, and 769 in 2020. The town is named after the wife of Grover Cleveland, Frances Folsom. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area.

Geography
Folsom is located along Louisiana Highway 25 approximately 12 miles north-northwest of Covington. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.3 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 525 people, 197 households, and 142 families in the village. The population density was 344.0 PD/sqmi. There were 222 housing units at an average density of 145.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 72.95% White, 24.95% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.38% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.43% of the population.

Of the 197 households 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.4% of households were one person and 10.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.18.

The age distribution was 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median household income was $33,889 and the median family income was $42,500. Males had a median income of $24,167 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,982. About 13.6% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools serves Folsom residents.

Folsom Elementary School in Folsom serves grades K-5. Folsom Middle School in Folson serves grades 6-8. Covington High School serves residents in grades 9-12.

St. Tammany Parish Library operates the Folsom Library.

Notable people

 * Tanner Rainey, professional baseball player
 * Tramain Jacobs, professional football player
 * Werly Fairburn, rockabilly musician

title: Folsom, Louisiana


text:
Lacombe, Louisiana

Lacombe is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,679 at the 2010 census, and 8,657 in 2020.

Geography
Lacombe is located at 30.315°N, -89.93139°W (30.314863, -89.931462). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 71.2 km2, of which 68.5 km2 is land and 2.7 km2, or 3.86%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,657 people, 3,456 households, and 2,260 families residing in the CDP.

Education
Lacombe is within the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools district.

Schools that serve most of Lacombe include:
 * Chahta-Ima Elementary School
 * Bayou Lacombe Middle School
 * Monteleone Junior High School
 * Lakeshore High School - St. Tammany Parish's newest high school, opened August 2009

Schools that serve small sections of Lacombe:
 * Woodlake Elementary School in Mandeville serves a small portion of western Lacombe
 * Mandeville Middle School near Mandeville serves a small portion of western Lacombe
 * Slidell Junior High School in Slidell serves a small portion of eastern Lacombe
 * Slidell High School in Slidell serves a small portion of eastern Lacombe

Previously Fontainebleau High School served much of Lacombe. Previously Mandeville High School served Lacombe.

St. Tammany Parish Library operates the Lacombe Branch.

The main campus of Northshore Technical Community College is in Lacombe. This campus was established in January 2017. St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: NTCC, and Delgado Community College.

Notable people

 * Pete Schneider, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and Lacombe resident
 * Adrien Rouquette, (born in Louisiana in 1813, of French parentage; died in 1887) was a writer and a Catholic missionary among the Choctaw Native Americans.

title: Lacombe, Louisiana


text:
Madisonville, Louisiana

Madisonville is a town in St. Tammany Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 748 at the 2010 U.S. census, and 850 at the 2020 U.S. census. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area. The ZIP code is 70447.

History
Madisonville was founded by Jean Baptiste Baham in 1800, before the United States acquired this area, as the town of "Coquille" or "Cokie" because of the abundance of shells in the area, at the site of the Native American village of "Chiconcte". The town was renamed in honor of US President James Madison around 1811.

Madisonville was a notable port, providing bricks and other products of the towns along the Tchefuncte River to New Orleans, in the decades before the Civil War. After the Capture of New Orleans by the Union Army, this area remained under nominal Confederate control; and the cutoff of trade with New Orleans across enemy lines was devastating to the local economy, which did not recover for decades after the peace.

The opening of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and associated highways gradually brought Madisonville into the sphere of Greater New Orleans, in the second half of the 20th century.

Much of the town flooded with the Lake Pontchartrain storm surge of Hurricane Katrina, on August 29, 2005. The police/fire station and the town hall were damaged by the flood waters. The town flooded again in 2012 during Hurricane Isaac. Town buildings were again repaired but the police station was moved to a historic building at the intersection of Covington, St. John and Cedar Streets. The fire station later moved to a new building on Hwy. 22 just west of the town center.

Jahncke shipyard
Frederick (Fritz) Jahncke emigrated to New Orleans from Hamburg, Germany in 1870. After working as a mason, he started a business that built the first sidewalks in New Orleans. Jahncke expanded; using a rented steam-driven hydraulic suction dredge, his firm was the first to extract sand and shell from the Tchefuncte and other rivers to make concrete used in expanding New Orleans.

Jahncke purchased a half-interest in the Baham Shipyard, entering into shipbuilding. In 1905 he purchased the remaining interest, acquiring land for yards, as well as warehouses, docks, storage facilities and equipment. He died in 1911 and the company passed to Ernest Lee, Paul F. and Walter F. Jahncke. In 1917, the company started building five wooden ships for the US Navy for World War I. Two ships were completed – the SS Bayou Teche, which was launched in March 1918, and the SS Balabac on September 29, 1918. The war ended November 11, 1918, and three of the ships were not completed. The SS Abbeville was completed on January 19, 1919, and the SS Pontchartrain on April 6, 1919. The last ship was hauled across the river and burned. Part of the hull is still visible at low tide.

Geography

The town of Madisonville is located on the banks of the Tchefuncte River, near where the river enters Lake Pontchartrain. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.51 sqkm, of which 6.46 sqkm is land and 0.06 sqkm, or 0.86%, is water.

Demographics
At the 2020 United States census, there were 850 people, 333 households, and 201 families residing in the town. At the 2000 United States census, there were 677 people, 302 households, and 186 families residing in the town. The population density was 277.0 PD/sqmi. There were 346 housing units at an average density of 141.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 85.67% White, 10.04% Black, 0.74% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 1.77% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.

There were 302 households, out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,625, and the median income for a family was $57,083. Males had a median income of $41,042 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,114. About 4.5% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum

Madisonville hosts the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, which sponsors the Wooden Boat Festival each fall.

Lighthouse

The Tchefuncte River Lighthouse is owned by the Town of Madisonville and is operated by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Southeastern Museum Conference, a gift from the Southeastern Louisiana University Development Fund that included live-streaming security cameras and on-site information about lake levels and wind and wave action by the Department of Computer Science, as well as contributions from private groups and individuals. The Tchefuncte River Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places July 14, 1986. It is only accessible by boat. The lighthouse keepers' cottage was removed to the grounds of the maritime museum where it remains.

Education
St. Tammany Parish Public School System is the public school system of the entire parish. Schools operated by the district which include Madisonville in their attendance boundaries are:
 * Madisonville Elementary School (pre-kindergarten-2), north of Madisonville
 * Lancaster Elementary School (grades 3 to 6), northwest of Madisonville
 * Madisonville Junior High School (grades 7 and 8), inside Madisonville
 * Mandeville High School (grades 9-12) in Mandeville

St. Tammany Parish Library operates the Madisonville Branch.

St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: Northshore Technical Community College and Delgado Community College.

Notable people

 * Cag Cagnolatti, musician
 * Leah Chase, chef
 * John Neely Kennedy, United States Senator from Louisiana
 * Irv Stein, baseball player

title: Madisonville, Louisiana


text:
Mandeville, Louisiana

Mandeville is a city in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, it's population was 13,192. Mandeville is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, south of Interstate 12. It is located directly across the lake from the city of New Orleans and its southshore suburbs. Mandeville is part of the New Orleans-Metairie metropolitan statistical area.

History

The city of Mandeville was founded in 1834 by Bernard Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville (1785-1868). The Marigny family was a prominent family of Louisiana, owning nearly a third of the city of New Orleans. The area had long been agricultural land when the town of Mandeville was laid out in 1834 by developer Bernard de Marigny. In 1840, Mandeville was incorporated as a town. It became a popular summer destination for well-to-do New Orleanians wishing to escape the city's heat.

In the mid-19th century, regular daily steamboat traffic between New Orleans and Mandeville began, and by the end of the Victorian era, it had become a popular weekend destination of the New Orleans middle class, as well. Bands played music on the ships going across the lake and at pavilions and dance halls in Mandeville, and the town became one of the first places where the new "jazz" music was heard outside of New Orleans. Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit, Papa Celestin, George Lewis, Kid Ory, Edmond Hall, Chester Zardis, and many other early jazz artists regularly played in Mandeville.

In the late 19th century, Mandeville was home of the Harvey School (Mandeville), a college preparatory institution.

Two buildings from early jazz history still stand in Mandeville. Ruby's Roadhouse has been in continuous operation since the 1920s (formerly Buck's Brown Derby and Ruby's Rendezvous) and is still a popular bar and live music venue today. The Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in January 1895. For years, the hall hosted some of the jazz greats and was reopened in 2000 as the Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall, a live jazz venue. (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.)

In 1956, the first span of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opened to automobile traffic. A second span was added in 1969. The new road spurred the growth of Mandeville and the surrounding area as a suburban commuter community for people working in New Orleans. This trend increased in the 1980s and 1990s, further integrating Mandeville into the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.

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. By 2009, most of the reconstruction from Katrina was completed. Many homes and businesses in areas that experienced flooding have been elevated.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 sqkm, of which 0.3 sqkm, or 1.55%, is covered by water.

The Tchefuncte River flows through Madisonville, and a manned swing bridge connects Mandeville to Madisonville.

Mandeville is located at 30°22′9″N 90°5′42″W. The city's ZIP codes include 70448 and 70471.

Demographics
The 2020 census by the United States Census Bureau determined 13,192 people lived in Mandeville. The racial and ethnic makeup at the 2019 American Community Survey was 90.2% non-Hispanic white, 2.8% Black and African American, 2.8% Asian, 0.2% some other race, 0.4% two or more races, and 3.6% Hispanic and Latin American of any race.

At the 2000 United States census, 10,489 people, 4,204 households, and 2,724 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,543.1 PD/sqmi. There were 4,669 housing units with an average density of 686.9/sq mi (265.1/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 92.15% White, 4.79% Black and African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latin American people of any race were 2.43% of the population.

In 2000, of the 4,204 households, 30.6% had children under 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were not families. About 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46, and the average family size was 3.11. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were approximately 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were about 84.7 males. At the 2019 American Community Survey, the median age was 43.7 and 77.0% of the population were aged 18 and older; 18.3% of the population were aged 65 and older.

In 2019, the median household income was $72,989 and males had a median income of $76,573 versus $50,707 for females. In 2000, median income for a household in the city was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $70,043. Males had a median income of $50,891 versus $30,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,420. About 4.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

 * The Seven Sisters Oak in Mandeville is the largest certified southern live oak tree.
 * The Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall (Est. 1885)

Parks and recreation

The city of Mandeville has several parks: Fontainebleau State Park, Paul Cordez Park, Lakefront Gazebo, Sunset Point, and Tyler Thomas Park.

Sunset Point Fishing Pier and Park extends over 400 ft onto Lake Pontchartrain.

Public schools

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools operates public schools serving the city.

Elementary schools with sections of Mandeville include:
 * Mandeville Elementary School (grades Pre-Kindergarten-3, central Mandeville)
 * Pontchartrain Elementary (grades Pre-Kindergarten-3, western Mandeville)
 * Woodlake Elementary (grades Pre-Kindergarten-3, eastern Mandeville)
 * Marigny Elementary (grades Pre-Kindergarten-1, a few blocks)
 * Magnolia Trace Elementary (grades 2-3, a few blocks)

Middle schools (grades 4-6) with sections of Mandeville include Tchefuncte Middle School (most of Mandeville), Lake Harbor Middle School (parts of eastern and northern Mandeville), and Mandeville Middle School (a few blocks of north and east Mandeville).

For junior high school (grades 7-8), most of Mandeville is zoned to Mandeville Junior High School. A few blocks in the north are zoned to Fontainebleau Junior High, and a few blocks in the east side are zoned to Monteleone Junior High School.

For high school (grades 9-12), most of Mandeville is zoned to Mandeville High School. A few blocks in the north are zoned to Fontainebleau High School, and a few blocks in the east are zoned to Lakeshore High School.

Private schools
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans operates Catholic parochial schools:
 * Mary Queen of Peace School
 * Our Lady of the Lake School

Non-Catholic private schools include:
 * Cedarwood School - in the city limits
 * Lake Castle Private School - northwest of Mandeville

Public libraries
St. Tammany Parish Library operates the Mandeville Library.

Community colleges
St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: Northshore Technical Community College and Delgado Community College.

Notable people
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, comedian Theo Von, Wilco bassist John Stirratt, The Price Is Right model Rachel Reynolds and actor and environmentalist Ian Somerhalder. Actress Allison Scagliotti grew up in Mandeville. Willem McCormick lived here for a few years while writing music before moving to Los Angeles, as did former US soccer national team player Jason Kreis before entering MLS. Sirius XM's The Mike Church Show is broadcast from a studio in Mandeville five days per week by Mike Church, who is a native of the city. 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. Former WWE wrestler, Brodus Clay has lived in the city of Mandeville since 2010. Former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Jim Dombrowski lives in Mandeville. Former Saints wide receiver Rich Mauti lives in Mandeville, and his son, Saints linebacker Michael Mauti, is from Mandeville.

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. The city council then selected Edward "Bubby" Lyons as interim mayor. White nationalist and white supremacist David Duke has a residence in Mandeville, and is a perennial candidate. His most notable electoral outcomes are his almost-wins for Senate in 1990 and Governor of Louisiana in 1991 and his successful bid for the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1989 to 1992.

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.

Sister cities
Mandeville has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
 * 🇵🇦 Colón, Panama

title: Mandeville, Louisiana


text:
Pearl River, Louisiana

Pearl River is a town in St. Tammany Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 2,506 at the 2010 U.S. census, and 2,618 at the 2020 population estimates program. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area.

History
The community that is today Pearl River was originally known as Halloo, a moniker it reputedly garnered from loggers yelling to one another as they labored along the nearby Pearl River. The town was founded in 1859. Early Halloo was a small railroad town, located at the junction of the Northeastern and Poitevent and Favre's East Louisiana Railroads. In 1886 a train station was constructed at the site, and two years later Samuel Russ Poitevent (June 4, 1852– June 3, 1904), established the first store in the village. The community's name was first changed from Halloo (1859) to Pearl (1878), later to Pearlville (1881), and eventually Pearl River, in 1888, after the train station built in the town.

On July 13, 1898, the 200 citizens of Pearl River voted to petition the state of Louisiana for incorporation as the "Village of Pearl River", a request which was granted nearly a decade later, on May 24, 1906, by governor Newton Crain Blanchard, with G.W. Fuller as the first mayor. The village slowly modernized over the course of the next half century, acquiring the land for a courthouse in 1935 and a town hall ten years later. Pearl River Junior High was opened in 1963, but the building was made into a police training academy in 2005. In 1964, the village insignia was replaced, as the newly minted "town" laid claim to 1,500 residents, a designation that lives on today, in the town of about 2,500.

Geography
Pearl River is located at 30.37111°N, -89.75111°W (30.371096, -89.751139), in southern Louisiana in the Greater New Orleans area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.3 sqkm, of which 9.0 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 2.27%, is water.

Demographics
At of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,565 people, 902 households, and 639 families residing in the town. At the 2019 American Community Survey, 92.5% of the population was White, 3.8% Black and African American, 3.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.5% from two or more races. There was a median household income of $56,061 and families lived in 902 housing units. An estimated 13.5% of the population lived at or below the poverty line in 2019.

Education
Residents are zoned to St. Tammany Parish Public Schools schools. Riverside was first opened in 1987 and originally only had grades PreK through 3rd grade. Mrs. Mary Lou Jordan served as Principal of the school from 1994 until her retirement in June 2018. Mrs. Jordan started at Riverside its opening year as a second grade teacher. Mrs. Patti Holden was given the title of Principal following Mrs. Jordan's retirement. Creekside was opened in 2003 when the town decided to turn Pearl River Junior High into a police training academy. Lisa Virga has been the principal since 2006. Adam Barrois has served as the Vice Principal since 2011. Pearl River High School was first opened in 1968 with Robert Harper and Sigvart Halvorsen, School Board Members responsible for establishing the school. Mr. E.W. Rowley served as principal until 1982. And PRHS would see 5 more principals through its time. Mr. Michael "Mike" Winkler has served as principal since 2000. Linda Fussell has been a vice president since 2011. Clark Hershey has been the other vice principal since 2016.
 * 1-5: Riverside Elementary School (unincorporated St. Tammany Parish)
 * 6-8: Creekside Junior High School (unincorporated St. Tammany Parish)
 * 9-12: Pearl River High School (Pearl River)

Notable people

 * A. G. Crowe, a native of New Orleans, served 8 years in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 8 years in the Louisiana Senate (2000–2016) as well as a Member of the St. Tammany Parish School Board.
 * Owen Hale, former Drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd

In fiction
On the 2023 TV series Night Court, District Attorney Dan Fielding returns to his hometown of Pearl River to become a judge in the final episode of the first season.

title: Pearl River, Louisiana


text:
Slidell, Louisiana

Slidell is a city on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 28,781 at the 2020 census, making it the sixteenth-most populous city in Louisiana. It is part of the New Orleans−Metairie−Kenner metropolitan statistical area.

Beginning
One of the earlier settlers to the area was Foster Willie. Along with a younger brother, Wesley Coke Asbury Gause, Judge Wingate, and several others, he left Shallotte, North Carolina, on February 18, and arrived at Pearlington, Mississippi, on April 14, 1836. Wesley and his family remained there, while John and family crossed the Pearl River and built a log cabin on the west bank, a little further south. He then began a lumber mill in the fledgling town later known as Slidell. His traveling back and forth from lumber yard to home created a road known today as Gause Boulevard, a major east–west street in the town. The lumber yard was where Gause Boulevard crosses the railroad track. The log cabin was built at the east end of the road, just a few yards from the river. The house stood until the late 1990s, and a small family burial plot still remains where John is buried between his two wives, Lydia Russ and Johanna Frederica VanHeemskerk.

Slidell was founded on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in 1882 and 1883 during construction of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad (N.O.N.E.). The N.O.N.E. line connected New Orleans to Meridian, Mississippi. The town was named in honor of American politician and Confederate ambassador to France John Slidell, and officially chartered by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1888.

20th century and beyond
Around 1910, Slidell began a period of economic and industrial growth. A large creosote plant was built, and Slidell became home to the Fritz Salmen Brickyard, a major producer of bricks later named St. Joe Brick. A lumber mill and shipyard were also built. Following the construction of Interstate 10, Interstate 59, and Interstate 12, Slidell became a major crossroads for those traversing the Gulf States.

In 1915, the creosote plant burned to the ground. The plant was rebuilt on Bayou Lane, closer to a water source and a fire station. Eventually, creosote polluted the bayou, a source of drinking water for many of Slidell's residents. The creosote plant was abandoned in 1986 and became an EPA Superfund site. The canal was dredged and waste incinerated until completion of the cleanup in the 1990s. At that time a boat launch was built and Heritage Park was constructed on the former site.

With the advent of the U.S. space program in the 1960s, NASA opened the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, the John C. Stennis Space Center in nearby Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and a NASA computer center on Gause Boulevard. This nearly tripled Slidell's population over ten years, and the city became a major suburb of New Orleans. The National Weather Service forecast office for the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area is also in Slidell. Slidell is the headquarters of Vesco Tennis Courts, a privately held firm specializing in construction of hard surfaces for outdoor sports facilities.

The city has hosted several parade krewes each Carnival season.

On August 29, 2005, Slidell suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina, as the storm made final landfall on the morning of August 29, 2005. The municipal area is about 2 mi inland, and parts of the city experienced a storm surge in excess of 10 ft. The unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish, to the south and east, often called Slidell, experienced a storm surge of 13 to 16 ft.

On April 20, 2011, an Amtrak train derailed in Slidell which injured six people.

On April 10, 2024, an EF2 tornado struck through the southern side of the city.

Slidell Museum
The Slidell Museum is a small museum that highlights the founding of the city as a railroad town. Located in Old Town Slidell on 1st Street, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free to the public.

Geography
Slidell is located at 30.27917°N, -89.77778°W (30.279040, -89.777744), and has an elevation of 13 ft. It is in southeastern St. Tammany Parish, located approximately 3 mi north of Lake Pontchartrain. The city forms part of the Greater New Orleans area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 sqkm, of which 38.4 sqkm is land and 0.9 sqkm, or 2.39%, is water.

Climate
Slidell has a humid subtropical climate, with short, generally mild winters (slightly cooler than the southshore part of the New Orleans area) and hot, humid summers. Precipitation in winter usually accompanies the passage of a cold front. Hurricanes pose a threat to the area, and the city is vulnerable because of its low elevation.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,781 people, 9,818 households, and 6,430 families residing in the city. At the 2010 United States census, 27,068 people, 10,050 households, and 7,145 families resided in Slidell. In 2000, the population was 25,695.

Per to the 2019 American Community Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the racial and ethnic makeup of the city as 71.8% non-Hispanic white, 16.9% Black and African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% some other race, 2.3% two or more races, and 7.1% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. In 2010, the racial makeup of the city was 76.0% White, 17.0% Black and African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latin Americans of any race were 6.3% of the population. At the 2000 U.S. census, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 83.13% White, 13.56% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races; Hispanics and Latin Americans of any race were 2.67% of the population.

Of the population in 2019, the median age was 36.7 and 73.2% of the population were aged 18 and older; an estimated 15.9% of the population were aged 65 and older. Residents of Slidell had a median household income of $54,906 and 15.1% of the population lived at or below the poverty line. Males had a median full-time annual income of $54,642 versus $37,183 for females. Of the 10,050 households in 2010, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.4% of households were one person and 9.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13. In 2010, the age distribution was 28.0% under the age of 19, 6% from 20 to 24, 26% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 14% 65 or older. The median age was 37.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males.

Economy
Slidell is the global headquarters for automotive manufacturer and military contractor Textron Marine & Land Systems off Gause Boulevard.

Education
Slidell's public schools are operated by the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools. There are three public high schools located in Slidell: Northshore High School; Salmen High School; and Slidell High School. Pearl River High School, located in nearby Pearl River, serves a small section of Slidell. There are two private high schools located in Slidell: Pope John Paul II High School and First Baptist Christian School.

The main campus of Northshore Technical Community College is located in Lacombe. This campus was established in January 2017. Also, Nunez Community College in Chalmette and the Sidney Collier Campus of Delgado Community College in New Orleans East are in close proximity to the city.

Previously the Slidell Learning Center and later the Northshore-Slidell campus, and with Covington having the Northshore-Covington Campus. The latter opened in summer 2002. The Slidell campus closed in 2016 due to financial issues.

Transportation
Amtrak’s Crescent serves Slidell station, and offers service to New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, and intermediate points. The station is located on Front Street in Olde Towne Slidell.

Slidell is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Interstate 10, Interstate 12, Interstate 59, and U.S. Highway 11. The I-10 Twin Span Bridge runs from Slidell to New Orleans East across Lake Pontchartrain.

Slidell Airport (ICAO: KASD, FAA LID: ASD) is a city-owned public-use airport four nautical miles (7 km) northwest of Slidell's central business district. Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, Slidell's is assigned ASD by the FAA but has no designation from the IATA (which assigned ASD to Andros Town Airport in the Bahamas).

Notable people

 * John Besh, chef and owner of Restaurant August and Luke; finalist on the Food Network show Iron Chef America
 * Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Grammy Award-winning instrumentalist
 * Kalani Brown (born 1997), player in the Israeli Female Basketball Premier League
 * P. J. Brown, NBA player
 * Tony Canzoneri, world boxing champion
 * Arthur Chevrolet, co-founder of the automobile company that bears his name and participant in the inaugural Indianapolis 500
 * Rich Clementi, mixed martial arts fighter and UFC and Bellator MMA veteran who trains and resides in Slidell
 * Chris Duhon, former Duke University and NBA point guard; played basketball at Salmen High School
 * Mike Fontenot, MLB infielder; played at Salmen High School and LSU
 * Matt Forte, NFL running back; played at Tulane University in New Orleans and at Slidell High School
 * Will Harris, MLB pitcher, former LSU infielder, played baseball at Slidell High School.
 * Rodney Holman, former tight end for Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions
 * Arthur Jones, inventor, TV producer, adventurer and animal trapper.
 * Juvenile, Southern rapper
 * LaRon Landry, strong safety for the Washington Commanders and LSU
 * Paul Mauffray, conductor
 * Logan Morrison, former outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, Miami Marlins, and Tampa Bay Rays, currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization; played baseball at Northshore High School
 * Xavier Paul, former outfielder for seven MLB teams, most recently with the Philadelphia Phillies

title: Slidell, Louisiana


text:
Sun, Louisiana

Sun is a village in the northeastern corner of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 470 at the 2010 census, and 392 in 2020. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area.

Geography
Sun is located at 30.65°N, -89.90028°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.5 sqmi, of which 4.3 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (3.14%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 471 people, 193 households, and 134 families residing in the village. The population density was 109.0 PD/sqmi. There were 217 housing units at an average density of 50.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 85.99% White, 11.46% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.42% Asian, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 193 households, out of which 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $29,750. Males had a median income of $29,286 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,391. About 11.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools serves Sun residents.

Fifth Ward Junior High School in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish serves K-8.

Covington High School in Covington serves Sun residents.

St. Tammany Parish is within the service areas of two community colleges: Northshore Technical Community College and Delgado Community College.

title: Sun, Louisiana


text:
Amite City, Louisiana

Amite City ( or  ; commonly just Amite) is a town in and the seat of Tangipahoa Parish in southeastern Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,141 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first European settlement, by French traders and colonists, developed on the banks of the Tangipahoa River, adjacent to a Choctaw village. Legend has it that the site was chosen when Choctaw Chief Baptiste welcomed the earliest settlers. Baptiste was the last Choctaw chief in the region. "Amite" has been said to be a Choctaw word for "red ant", signifying "thrift". It may also be derived from French, where amitié means "friendship."

The United States acquired what were known as the Florida Parishes in 1812. Anglo-American travelers are documented as entering Amite City as early as 1813.

In 1852 the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad was chartered in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Two years later, the railroad was opened from New Orleans to the state line. Amite City was chosen as the practical stopping point, as it was halfway between Lake Pontchartrain to the south and the Mississippi state line that formed the northern border of the parish.

Amite City was chartered in 1855. The town was laid out, lots were sold and the community quickly began to grow. The Hotel Ponder at the "Amite Station" became a popular spot among travelers for dining and relaxing. In addition to becoming a major commercial center for a large region, Amite Station became a popular resort in the late 1850s. Many prosperous New Orleans residents established country retreats in the region to enjoy the natural beauty and escape unhealthy conditions in the low-lying city along the Mississippi. This trend intensified as seasonal epidemics of yellow fever continued to plague New Orleans in the mid-19th century.

On March 7, 1861, Amite City was incorporated as a town two months after the secession of Louisiana from the Union. During the war, Amite City served as an important gathering spot for Confederate officials involved in the supply and support of Camp Moore, the largest Confederate training base in Louisiana, located 10 miles to the north. Amite endured at least two visits by Union cavalry. In 1864 a brigade of Union infantry burned the railroad depot and destroyed the track from the depot to Camp Moore.

After the war, Amite City served as the base for Union troops occupying the region during Reconstruction. After the legislature established a new parish in 1869, soon to be named Tangipahoa, Amite City was selected as the parish seat. Five different buildings have served as the courthouse since 1870.

From the early 1870s through the first decade of the 20th century, Amite City played a central role in the violence that gained the parish the name "Bloody Tangipahoa." The turbulent political and economic conditions of the Reconstruction period and its aftermath sparked a number of vicious family feuds. Numerous duels and "bushwhacking" between whites occurred in the streets of Amite City and the countryside. In addition, white mobs lynched numerous blacks during this period. By the early 20th century, improved law enforcement brought some peace and better harmony to the area for some families, but blacks were excluded from political life.

Amite City continued to grow as a trading center for cotton planters and others. In 1869, the Gullet Gin Company opened in Amite City. The company was the largest producer of cotton gins in the south, employing more than 250 people by the early 20th century.

During World War II, the plant converted to war industry production, manufacturing 150 mm shells. The plant closed in 1963.

In the mid-20th century, family dairy farms began to replace cotton farms. Today, Tangipahoa Parish is the heart of Louisiana's dairy industry. It is also the primary producer of strawberries in the state. Amite City is a major oyster processing center and home of the Oyster Festival.

Geography
Amite City is located at 30.72861°N, -90.50861°W (30.728718, -90.508519).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 sqmi, of which 3.8 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.52%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,005 people, 1,468 households, and 1,172 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,141 people, 1,310 households, and 810 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,066.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,450 housing units at an average density of 376.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 43.59% White, 54.50% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.

There were 1,310 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 26.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,011, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $30,590 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,565. About 23.1% of families and 27.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.3% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public - Tangipahoa Parish School Board operates three public schools in Amite:
 * Amite High Magnet School
 * West Side Middle School
 * Amite Elementary School

Private -
 * Oak Forest Academy is a private school for children in Pre-K through 12th grade.

Notable people

 * Rusty Chambers, former NFL football player
 * John Bel Edwards, 56th Governor of Louisiana; former Minority Leader of Louisiana House of Representatives; former District 72 state representative; United States Military Academy graduate
 * Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr., Democratic Louisiana Attorney General from 1948 to 1952
 * Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Sr., Democratic U.S. Representative from 1925 to 1933
 * Kevin Magee, basketball player who competed professionally in Europe
 * Reggie Porter, former football player for Utah Utes, NFL teams (Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns)
 * Lloyd Pye, research coordinator of the Starchild Project; author, researcher, and lecturer in the field of alternative knowledge
 * Billy Reid, fashion designer
 * Lester Ricard, football player for the Tulane Green Wave, who tried out for the NFL's Jaguars and Panthers
 * DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles football player and 2020 Heisman Trophy winner
 * Joanne Verger, Oregon legislator and first woman to serve as mayor of Coos Bay, Oregon
 * Lavelle White ("Miss Lavelle"), American Texas blues and soul singer
 * Harry D. Wilson, former state representative and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry; interred at Amite Cemetery
 * Karl Wilson, former NFL football player

title: Amite City, Louisiana


text:
Hammond, Louisiana

Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States, located 45 mi east of Baton Rouge and 45 mi northwest of New Orleans. Its population was 20,019 in the 2010 U.S. census, and 21,359 at the 2020 population estimates program.

Hammond is home to Southeastern Louisiana University. It is the principal city of the Hammond metropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Tangipahoa Parish and is a part of the Baton Rouge-Hammond combined statistical area.

19th century
The city is named for Peter Hammond (1798–1870), the surname anglicized from Peter av Hammerdal (Peter of Hammerdal) — a Swedish immigrant known as the first European settler, arriving around 1818. Peter, a sailor, had been briefly imprisoned by the British at Dartmoor Prison during the Napoleonic Wars. He escaped during a prison riot, made his way back to sea, and later reached New Orleans.

Hammond used his savings to buy then-inexpensive land northwest of Lake Pontchartrain. He developed a plantation to cultivate trees, which he made into masts, charcoal, and other products for the maritime industry in New Orleans. He transported the goods by oxcart to the head of navigation on the Natalbany River at Springfield. He held at least 30 enslaved African Americans before the Civil War. Hammond lost his wealth during the war, as Union soldiers raided his property.

In 1854, the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad (later the Illinois Central Railroad, now Canadian National Railway) came through the area, launching the town's emergence as a commercial and transport center. The point where the railroad met the trail to Springfield was at first known as Hammond's Crossing.

During the Civil War, the city was a shoe-making center for the Confederate States Army. Charles Emery Cate developed the shoe industry after buying land in the city in 1860 for his home, a shoe factory, a tannery, and a sawmill. Toward the end of the war, Cate laid out the town's grid, using the rail line as a guide and naming several of the streets after his sons. Also, Cate Street is named for him.

After the Civil War, light industry and commercial activities were attracted to the town. By the end of the 19th century, Hammond had become a stopping point for northern rail passengers traveling south and for New Orleanians heading north to escape seasonal summer yellow fever outbreaks. The city later became a shipping point for strawberries. A state historical plaque downtown marks it as "Strawberry Capital of America".

20th and 21st centuries
In the 1920s, David William Thomas edited a weekly newspaper in Hammond prior to moving to Minden, the seat of Webster Parish. There, he was elected mayor in 1936.

In 1932, Hodding Carter founded the Hammond Daily Courier, which he left in 1939 to move to Greenville, Mississippi. The paper closed. Carter later received a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1944, the Tangipahoa Parish Library – Hammond branch was established.

Since 1959, The Daily Star has been Hammond's locally published daily newspaper.

During World War II, the Hammond Airport (now Hammond Northshore Regional Airport) served as a detention camp for prisoners of war from Nazi Germany.

Additionally, the U.S. Army established and used the 15216 acre Hammond Bombing and Gunnery Range east of the city. In the early 21st century, Army Corps of Engineers searched for remaining explosives in this area.

Today, Hammond is intersected by Interstates 12 and 55. Its airport has a long runway which serves as a backup landing site for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. It is also a major training site for the Louisiana Army National Guard, and the home base for the Louisiana Air National Guard's 236th Combat Communications Squadron.

About 15 mi south of the city, on both the railroad and I–55, lies Port Manchac, which provides egress via Lake Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico. The combination of highway-rail-air-sea transportation has transformed modern Hammond from a strawberry capital to a transportation capital. The city hosts numerous warehouses and is a distribution point for Walmart and other major businesses. Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond offers the state's only academic degree in supply chain management.

In 1953, John Desmond opened the first architectural firm in Hammond. He was chief architect of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board for some two decades before he relocated to Baton Rouge.

Among the city's cultural resources is the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum. This is one of the destinations on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. Southeastern took over the Columbia Theatre in the designated Hammond Historic District to use as a downtown cultural venue. The former movie theater was constructed in 1928 and renovated by the university in the 1990s for $5.6 million.

On August 29, 2021, Hammond suffered a direct strike by the eastern eyewall of Hurricane Ida. It dropped more than 12 in of rain, and caused severe flash flooding, and significant wind damage.

Geography
Hammond is located at 30.50444°N, -90.46556°W (30.504446, -90.465616) and has an elevation of 43 ft. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.8 sqmi, of which 12.8 sqmi is land and 0.08% is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Hammond has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 19,584 people, 6,871 households, and 3,972 families residing in the city.

Education
Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU), based in Hammond, is one of the state's regional universities and one of the city's largest employers. It was established in 1925 through the efforts of the educator Linus A. Sims, then principal of Hammond High School. The city is also home to Northshore Technical Community College. There are also two vocational colleges in the city, Petra College and Compass Career College, both of which offer allied health and medical certifications.

The city's public schools are part of the Tangipahoa Parish School System and include Hammond High Magnet School, Hammond Junior High, Eastside Elementary, Westside Elementary, SLU Laboratory School, and Crystal Academy (an alternative school).

The Catholic Church operates two schools in Hammond: Holy Ghost Catholic School (pre-kindergarten through 8th grades) and Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, which is just north of the city. In addition, Trafton Academy (pre-K through 8th) and Oaks Montessori School (pre-K through 8th) are private schools serving area students.

In 2018, press reports indicated that only 74% of the local population held high school diplomas. In this respect, Hammond ranks among the bottom 25 cities nationally and is comparable to Salem, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona. With only 20% of people having a college degree, the city was in the bottom quarter nationwide in this ranking too. Schools in this district are ranked in the lower 50% of public schools in the state.

The TPPS had 19,500 students enrolled for the 2020-2021 academic year and an annual budget of $219 million.

Sports, parks, and recreation
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions sports teams use multiple venues in Hammond. Chappapeela Sports Park hosts American football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.

There are a few public parks in Hammond including Cate Square park, Zemurray Park, North Oaks Park, Mooney Avenue Park, Clarke Park, Martin Luther King Park, Jackson Park, and Hammond Dreamland Park. There is a public pool located at Zemurray Park. In addition to youth recreational sports and camps, there are adult flag football, basketball, kickball, and volleyball leagues. Other programs are available for adults including Line Dancing, Zumba, and Crafting.

Media
Hammond is overlapped by most of the mass media in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, although over-the-air television reception is available. The city has the following news and entertainment media of its own:
 * Action News 17 area Charter Communications Channel 197: virtual television internet streaming freely available at the Action News 17 site
 * Daily Star newspaper
 * KSLU FM 90.9 (Southeastern Louisiana University)
 * WZEN-LP FM 107.9
 * WFPR AM 1400
 * WHMD FM 107.1 radio (also known as "Kajun Radio")
 * WTGG FM 96.5

Government and infrastructure
The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice operates the Hammond Office in Hammond.

The United States Postal Service operates the Hammond Post Office.

Law enforcement and crime
Hammond is served by five police agencies:
 * Hammond Police Department (HPD) – the main municipal police department of the city
 * Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) – the parish level police agency
 * Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department (SLUPD) – the police force responsible for law enforcement on all properties owned by SLU
 * 7th Ward City Court Marshal's Office
 * Louisiana State Police (LSP)

The Hammond Police Department is headquartered at 120 S Oak St. The city's uniform crime reporting statistics are available on the FBI UCR website.

Hammond has suffered from exceptionally high crime rates for many years. Louisiana has been ranked the #1 most violent state in the United States, and Hammond is ranked as the fifth most violent city in the state based on crimes per capita.

Crime Rates US Average v Hammond Louisiana

Health care
Hammond and its immediate environs have a number of hospitals, including North Oaks Medical Center on U.S. Route 51 Business between Hammond and Ponchatoula. North Oaks is one of the largest hospitals in Louisiana and helps serve the teaching needs of Southeastern Louisiana University's College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

Transportation
Hammond has railways, highways (including the intersection of two interstates), and air travel/transport.

Passenger rail
Both the southbound and northbound daily City of New Orleans schedules have afternoon stops in Hammond, so Amtrak Superliner trains are a common sight. About 15,000 passengers use the station every year. Many are coming from or going to Baton Rouge, some 40 mi west.

The Queen Anne-style station (1912), situated at the center of town, was renovated in 2008, with an ADA-compliant platform added soon after that.

Highways
Part of Hammond's success is due to its location at the junction of two heavily traveled interstate highways:

 * I-12.svg Interstate 12, from Baton Rouge to Slidell, is a shortcut for Interstate 10 drivers to avoid congestion in New Orleans.
 * I-55.svg Interstate 55, from Laplace (west of New Orleans) to Chicago, also passes through Jackson, Mississippi, Memphis, and St. Louis.

Hammond is 40 mi from Baton Rouge, 46 mi from New Orleans, 89 mi from Gulfport, Mississippi, and 125 mi from Jackson, Mississippi.

Two U.S. highways serve the city:

 * US 51.svg U.S. Route 51 (Morrison Boulevard) splits from I-55 between Hammond and Ponchatoula and parallels I-55 northward through the city's western side. U.S. 51 Business, which follows the original route of U.S. 51, leaves the parent 51 south of Ponchatoula and rejoins it after meeting US 190 in downtown Hammond and forming a concurrency with 190 until it meets US 51.
 * US 190.svg U.S. Route 190 (Thomas Street / Morris Avenue) parallels I-12 and goes east–west through the city's commercial and historic downtown areas.

State highways serving the area include:

 * Louisiana 443.svg LA 443 (Morris Road)
 * Louisiana 1040.svg LA 1040 (Chauvin Drive and Old Baton Rouge Highway)
 * Louisiana 1064.svg LA 1064 (Natalbany Road, River Road)
 * Louisiana 1065.svg LA 1065 (North Cherry Street)
 * Louisiana 1067.svg LA 1067 (Old Covington Highway)
 * Louisiana 1249.svg LA 1249 (Pumpkin Center Road)
 * Louisiana 3158.svg LA 3158 (Airport Road)
 * Louisiana 3234.svg LA 3234 (University Avenue, continuation of Wardline Road, serving Southeastern Louisiana University)
 * Louisiana 3260.svg LA 3260 (West Church Street Extension)

Airport
The Hammond Northshore Regional Airport has a runway long enough to land the Concorde (1976–2003) and to serve as back-up for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The largest unit of the Louisiana Army National Guard is stationed at Hammond, adjacent to the site. The airport is also the home base for the 236th Combat Communications Squadron of the Louisiana Air National Guard.

The airport has no regularly scheduled passenger service but is convenient for charter flights and corporate aviation purposes.

Notable people

 * Robert Alford, cornerback for Arizona Cardinals
 * Kayla Ard, Head Coach for Utah State University Women's Basketball
 * George W. Bond, fourth acting president of Southeastern Louisiana University (1944–1945); former president of Louisiana Tech University (1928–1936)
 * George S. Bowman Jr., Major general, U.S. Marine Corps and veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam
 * Josh Brooks, athletic director for the University of Georgia
 * Alyssa Carson, space enthusiast and astronaut hopeful
 * Sally Clausen, president of Southeastern Louisiana University, 1995–2001
 * Wade Miley, baseball pitcher for Milwaukee Brewers
 * James H. Morrison, U.S. Representative for Louisiana, 1943–1967
 * Jimmy Noone, musician and bandleader
 * Cindy Robbins, actress
 * Robin Roberts, host of Good Morning America
 * Dr. Charles Smith, artist
 * Jamie Lynn Spears, actress and country music singer
 * Todd O'Neill, singer
 * Tyjae Spears, Runningback for the Tennessee Titans

In popular media

 * The city was the base for production of the first season of the NBC television series In the Heat of the Night, starring Carroll O'Connor and airing in 1988. This series was adapted from the 1967 film of the same name.
 * "Hammond Song", written by Maggie Roche of The Roches, documents moving to Hammond after becoming disillusioned with the music industry.

title: Hammond, Louisiana


text:
Independence, Louisiana

Independence, originally known as Uncle Sam, is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,665 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The move to establish Independence as a town was led in the early 20th century by State Representative Harry D. Wilson, who subsequently served from 1916 until his death early in 1948 as the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry. Wilson was a son of Dr. and Mrs. William D. Wilson. In 1856, Dr. Wilson had built a store in Independence, which remained for years the oldest building in the community. Harry Wilson worked in the parish seat of Amite in the general store of the merchant Jacob  Stern at a time when Tangipahoa Parish did not yet depend on the strawberry crop. During the 1890s, Wilson was an express messenger for the Illinois Central Railroad. He left that position to pursue a political career.

Affectionately known by voters as "Uncle Harry" or "Mister Harry", Wilson served two nonconsecutive terms in the state House from 1900 to 1904 and again from 1908 to 1912. A strong promoter of his hometown of Independence, located five miles to the south of Amite, Wilson in 1902 and 1903 corresponded with Governor William Wright Heard regarding incorporation of the community, which at the time had a population of 308. Governor Heard informed Wilson that he considered the three square miles proposed for the new town as too much land for a small village and suggested that the tract be reduced in size. Originally named "Uncle Sam", Independence had begun in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad began operating through the area. Independence was finally proclaimed a town on August 22, 1912.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.2 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,635 people, 711 households, and 492 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,665 people, 663 households, and 446 families residing in the town. The population density was 772.4 PD/sqmi. There were 735 housing units at an average density of 329.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 54.59% White (of which Italian-Americans make up 30.7% of the population ), 40.24% African American, 0.66% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.38% of the population.

There were 663 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,446, and the median income for a family was $30,685. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $17,105 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,495. About 20.8% of families and 29.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.3% of those under age 18 and 24.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Independence has a large Italian-American community, as do neighboring towns and villages. Independence has a Sicilian heritage festival every year the second weekend in March. Independence has sometimes been referred to colloquially as Little Italy, and Italian expatriates began settling here as early as the 19th Century.

Many attributes of the Italian culture, including food, in Independence are described in Italian Culture in Independence. Other useful resources are Southeastern Louisiana University's Center for Regional Studies and the Tangipahoa Parish tourist information center.

Education
Tangipahoa Parish School Board operates public schools:
 * Independence High Magnet School
 * Independence Leadership Academy

Notable people

 * Nick Bruno, President of the University of Louisiana at Monroe
 * Robert Crais, best-selling novelist
 * Steven Jyles, a Canadian Football League quarterback
 * Frank Lockett, former NFL wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
 * Clif Richardson, former state representative
 * LaBrandon Toefield, former LSU star runningback and NFL runningback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers

title: Independence, Louisiana


text:
Kentwood, Louisiana

Kentwood is a rural town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States, near the Mississippi state line. The population was 2,198 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area. Kentwood is best known as the hometown of singer Britney Spears.

History
Amos Kent assisted in laying out the town. The Postmaster named the town in honor of Kent on February 29, 1888.

On August 30, 2012, damage was caused by pressure on the 2,300 foot Percy Quin dam, a dam on the Tangipahoa River north of Kentwood, as a result of Hurricane Isaac, led to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal calling for a mandatory evacuation of the town due to fears of large-scale flooding from Lake Tangipahoa. The evacuation order, which was amended twice, was later rescinded as the dam held. The lake was drawn down so repairs could be made.

The 490 acre Lake Tangipahoa, that opened in 1939 and located six miles south of McComb, Mississippi, was reopened in 2016. Repairs had been completed in 2014 and the lake restocked.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.9 sqmi, of which 6.9 sqmi is land and 0.14% is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,145 people, 771 households, and 421 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 2,205 people, 850 households, and 559 families in the town. The population density was 318.4 PD/sqmi. There were 979 housing units at an average density of 141.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 64.85% African American, 34.42% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 0.68%.

Of the 850 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.9% of households were one person and 15.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.28.

The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.7 males.

The median household income was $17,297 and the median family income was $23,889. Males had a median income of $25,583 versus $15,200 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,171. About 29.5% of families and 37.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.2% of those under age 18 and 32.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Tangipahoa Parish School Board operates public schools:
 * Kentwood High Magnet School (7-12)
 * O. W. Dillon Memorial Elementary School (K-6)
 * Chesbrough Elementary (K-5)
 * Spring Creek Elementary (K-5)
 * Jewel M. Sumner Middle and High School

Notable people

 * Roger Ballard, country music singer-songwriter
 * Stacy Head (born 1969), New Orleans elected official born in nearby Greensburg but associated with Kentwood
 * Michael "Mike" Jackson (1969–2017), former National Football League wide receiver
 * Little Brother Montgomery (1906–85), jazz pianist
 * Paul Gayten (1920-1991), R&B pianist, songwriter, record producer
 * Clay Shaw (1913–74), New Orleans businessman and the only person prosecuted in connection with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He was acquitted.
 * Ann Alexander Smith, Louisiana educator
 * Jackie Smith (born 1940), National Football League tight end and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Britney Spears (born 1981), singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress
 * Collis Temple (born 1952), first African-American athlete at Louisiana State University

title: Kentwood, Louisiana


text:
Natalbany, Louisiana

Natalbany is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,739 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Etymology
The community is named after the nearby Natalbany River. It is speculated that the name of the river is derived from the Choctaw words nita meaning bear and abani which means "to cook over a fire" in the Choctaw language.

Geography
Natalbany is located at 30.54778°N, -90.48389°W (30.547856, -90.483765).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.5 sqmi, of which 4.4 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (1.56%) is water (including Ponchatoula Creek).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,510 people, 1,130 households, and 553 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 1,739 people, 714 households and 411 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 393.1 PD/sqmi. There were 814 housing units at an average density of 184.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 67.74% White, 29.67% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 1.15% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.

There were 714 households, of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.

Age distribution was 26.0% under the age of 18, 22.1% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median household income was $25,108, and the median family income was $29,120. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $15,799 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,815. About 17.4% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Natalbany, Louisiana


text:
Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Ponchatoula is the second-largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. The population was 6,559 at the 2010 census and 7,545 at the time of the 2020 population estimates program.

Etymology
It is speculated that the name is derived from the Choctaw words Pashi meaning "hair" and perhaps itula or itola meaning "to fall" or "to hang" or "flowing" in the Choctaw language

History
PONCHATOULA ESTABLISHED

The city of Ponchatoula was founded when the railroad from Jackson, Mississippi to New Orleans was constructed through this area in the 1850s. The New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad Company hired an experienced civil engineer, James B. Clarke (ca. 1809-1861) to survey the projected railroad route, establish railroad depot sites, buy timber for bridges and railroad ties, and do the other tasks necessary to construct the railroad. Finding that there was an unclaimed section of land north of the Manchac swamp, Clarke located a railroad depot near the first dry land after leaving the swamp. Mr. Clarke purchased this one square mile section of land from the state of Louisiana in two installments in December 1852 and January 1853. He surveyed this land and laid out a town in 1853 using the familiar grid system with streets running east–west named for native trees, and north–south streets numbered one through nine. He called his new development "Ponchatoula" after the Ponchatoula River located a couple of miles west of the new settlement. Ponchatoula is a Choctaw word meaning "hanging hair" referring to the beautiful Spanish moss which drapes many of the local trees. James Clarke began selling town lots, and soon several stores and dozens of homes were built nearby. Ponchatoula grew as new settlers moved here to be near the railroad line, "a new avenue of commerce." The small town was incorporated by the Louisiana legislature in February 1861. A few months after the incorporation of the town, the Civil War began with serious consequences for the community. Because Ponchatoula was located on the vital railroad line, military engagements happened here in September 1862 and March 1863. During the war, stores and some homes were looted, the train depot burned, and livestock killed and stolen. When the war ended, the railroad line was repaired, a new train depot constructed, and tranquility returned to the little piney woods community. Through the following decades the town's population slowly grew with lumbering and agriculture being the primary local industries. Around 1900, the strawberry industry began to florish and Ponchatoula became an important shipping point for strawberries and vegetables. Hundreds of refrigerated railroad cars left Ponchatoula each spring loaded with strawberries for the northern markets. The Ponchatoula community changed completely in 1921 when two large cypress lumbering companies located at the south edge of town. Hundreds of mill workers and their families arrived and the economy prospered with the increased population. The 1920s saw the construction of a new city hall and fire station, a new high school, a modern theater, improved street and municipal services, and dozens of new businesses. The prosperity of the 1920s ebbed as the hard times of the Depression arrived with the closing of the two lumber mills in 1929, and continued through the 1930s mirroring the national economic crisis. Ponchatoula's economy was aided during the Depression by the flourishing strawberry industry and the reopening of a cypress lumber company on one of the former mill sites. During World War II, Ponchatoula stepped up and actively supported the war effort. Hundreds of local men and women entered the armed forces, war bond drives and several scrap drives were held, along with other war related activities. A scrap drive led by the local school children yielded a vast amount of iron needed to produce the weapons of war. The community's outstanding contribution to the war effort was recognized when the Navy launched an oil tanker named the USS Ponchatoula, which served in the Pacific. This vessel was scrapped after the war, but a new and much larger oil tanker was built in the 1950s and also named the USS Ponchatoula. The new vessel served with distinction for many years. Ponchatoula continued to grow in the post war years and the economy became more diversified and less connected to the strawberry and lumbering industries. In recent years Ponchatoula has become a tourist destination with a quaint historic district, and was designated as "America's Antique City." The community hosts the well-known Strawberry Festival, which attracts many thousands of visitors every April. From a small piney woods town in the 1850s, Ponchatoula has become a vibrant city offering many attractive activities while retaining the "home town" charm that makes so special.

Early 20th century
The train depot which was destroyed during the Civil War was rebuilt in 1895 as the area began to recover from the Civil War. At the turn of the 20th century Ponchatoula began to transform from the lumber industry into a commercial farming community. The main street began filling up with beautiful brick buildings as shops, banks and restaurants were built to accommodate the growing population. The main crop grown by the local farmers was the strawberry. Many of the families who were major farmers during this era, which lasted about eighty years, have their last names engraved on a large plaque in front of city hall.

Geography
Ponchatoula is located at 30.43917°N, -90.4425°W (30.439162, -90.442507) and has an elevation of 26 ft. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 sqmi, all land.

Ponchatoula is located along Interstate 55 and Louisiana Highway 22, equidistant from New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In the early 1900s, Ponchatoula was one of only two ways to reach New Orleans by land, thus earning the moniker "Gateway to New Orleans."

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,822 people, 2,863 households, and 1,726 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 5,180 people, 1,984 households, and 1,372 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,226.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,175 housing units at an average density of 515.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 62.20% White, 36.83% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 1,984 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 23.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,244, and the median income for a family was $29,583. Males had a median income of $30,285 versus $18,952 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,157. About 27.9% of families and 31.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.9% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Tangipahoa Parish School System operates public schools:
 * Ponchatoula High School (near Ponchatoula)
 * Ponchatoula Junior High School
 * Martha Vineyard Elementary School (near Ponchatoula)
 * D. C. Reeves Elementary School
 * Tucker Elementary School
 * Perrin Early Learning Center

Visitor attractions
Ponchatoula hosts Louisiana's Strawberry Festival each April and an Oktoberfest each autumn.

The town is noted for its many antique shops along Pine Street (LA 22), open year-round. Eleven of the Ponchatoula Commercial Historic District buildings are determined to be historically significant and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ponchatoula is small, but it has a number of attractions including a sign on the outskirts of town with how many miles it lies from South Dakota's Wall Drug store.

Across Highway 22 from Hardhide is the Collinswood School Museum, a former one-room schoolhouse which exhibits local artifacts and quilts. Between the school museum and the tracks stands the Strawberry Train, which is a steam engine and single passenger car roped off in such a way that children can safely climb into the engine and the car.

The Chamber of Commerce office is located on Highway 22 at the railroad tracks and has information about these and other sights in Ponchatoula and the surrounding area.

Strawberry Festival
The first Strawberry Festival was held in April 1972 on the first block of North 6th Street and was co-sponsored by the Ponchatoula Jaycees and the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce. The first festival was small and only had 11 booths. It was a two-day event beginning with a baseball game between Southeastern Louisiana University and Wisconsin State. Today it is the second largest event in the state, after Mardi Gras. During the 1980s the local economy changed to tourism, when farming no longer earned enough to sustain the town. The mayor at the time devised a plan to open antique shops where former businesses had been located. There are still about six of these shops in operation. This gave the town a second nickname, "America's Antique City."

Notable people

 * Irwin Davis, football player, coach, and administrator
 * Dennis Paul Hebert Sr., state representative for Tangipahoa Parish, 1972-1996
 * Michael I. Jordan, researcher in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
 * Steve Pugh, politician and florist, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives (2008–2020)
 * Trevante Rhodes, actor, sprinter
 * Bernie Smith, baseball player
 * Tyjae Spears, football player
 * Irma Thomas, singer
 * Reggie Walker, football player
 * Earl Wilson, baseball player

title: Ponchatoula, Louisiana


text:
Roseland, Louisiana

Roseland is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,123 at the 2010 census. It is the birthplace of Cajun chef and storyteller Justin Wilson.

Roseland is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Roseland is located at 30.76333°N, -90.51278°W (30.763352, -90.512875).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km$2$), of which 2.1 square miles (5.5 km$2$) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.3 km$2$) (5.75%) is water.

History
John Bel Edwards lived on Louisiana Avenue in Roseland when he was elected governor of Louisiana on November 21, 2015. His residence, Egypta Hall, was built in 1888 and was originally a rooming house before being converted into a residence.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 880 people, 366 households, and 250 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,162 people, 416 households, and 304 families residing in the town. The population density was 545.2 PD/sqmi. There were 477 housing units at an average density of 223.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 34.42% White, 64.97% African American, 0.09% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 416 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 29.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,511, and the median income for a family was $22,333. Males had a median income of $21,058 versus $15,469 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,552. About 36.8% of families and 40.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 53.3% of those under age 18 and 24.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Tangipahoa Parish School Board operates public schools:
 * Roseland Elementary School

title: Roseland, Louisiana