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Covington
History – Covington City in Louisiana |
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Map:
Official Geographical Location:
Location: 30.47860 North, 90.11208 West
Zip codes: 70433
Geographical Description:
Population in 1990: 7,691 (7,170 in 1970)
Land area: 17.406 sq. kms.
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
Covington is the Parish seat of St Tammany Parish, South East Louisiana,
is situated between the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte
Rivers on U.S. Route 190, East of Hammond, South West of Bogalusa, near Lake
Pontchartrain.
Downtown Covington's strategic location places it within 37 miles of New
Orleans
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway that accesses Covington from New Orleans first opened in 1956 and then had a second grand opening in
1969. It is absolutely a marvel of American engineering, and an essential
destination for anyone visiting Louisiana. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway,
sometimes only the Causeway, is supported by 9,000 concrete pilings and spans
an impressive 24 miles, making it the longest over-water bridge in the entire
world composed of two parallel bridges crossing Lake Pontchartrain in southern
Louisiana, United States. The longer of the two bridges is 23.83 miles (38.35
km) long. The southern terminus of the Causeway is in Metairie, Louisiana, a
suburb of New Orleans. The northern terminus is at Mandeville, Louisiana. Each
weekday over 40,000 cars use the Lake Pontchartrain
Causeway. The five-member GNOEC is the controlling body of the Causeway which
includes the bridge system and the Causeway Approach road system on the North
Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
Since 1969, it was listed by
Guinness World Records as the longest bridge over water in the world; in 2011 in
response to the opening of the allegedly longer Jiaozhou
Bay Bridge in China, Guinness created two categories for bridges over water:
continuous and aggregate lengths over water. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway then
became the longest bridge over water (continuous) while Jiaozhou
Bay Bridge the longest bridge over water (aggregate).
The bridge was designated as a
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of
Civil Engineers in 2013.
History:
The site was first settled in 1769 and incorporated in 1813.
Covington,
which sits in the fork of the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya
Rivers, was founded by John Wharton Collins, a New Orleans merchant who
migrated from Philadelphia soon after the Louisiana Purchase. Collins purchased
the original town site of some 1600 acres in 1813. Collins sub-divided a
portion of the site into streets and lots and called his development the
Division of St. John of Wharton. However, when the Legislature granted the
community a charter in 1816, the name was changed from Wharton to Covington in
honour of General Leonard A. Covington, a hero of the War of 1812.
The town became the parish seat in 1819, but the first courthouse was
built on the east side of the Bogue Falaya at what is
now called Claiborne Hill. It was later moved to it's present site on Boston Street. Like other towns
on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, early Covington boasted a variety of
home-like resorts, most of which were located along the sandy banks of the
picturesque Bogue Falaya River. The high and dry land
in and around Covington is covered with beautiful pine, oak and magnolia trees,
as well as flowering dogwoods and redbuds. The purple wisteria, azaleas and
camellias add to the springtime riot of colour.
Walk Through History - Walk Through Covington
On July 4, 1813, John Wharton Collins, a New Orleans merchant, founded
the city that became Covington on the edge of a parcel of land he owned in the
fork between the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte Rivers.
Collins laid out an unusual system of streets and squares with central lots and
alleys that are popularly known as "ox lots." Collins named the town
Wharton and dedicated it to Thomas Jefferson. When the legislature chartered
the town in 1816, it was renamed with Collins strong objection to honour
General Leonard Covington of Natchez who distinguished himself in the War of
1812.
Two fires destroyed most buildings built before 1880. The original urban
design is still visible, as are examples of late nineteenth and early twentieth
century storefronts and residences. Visitors may savour the character of a
small town at the turn of the century, enjoy shopping, dining and strolling
under the majestic live oaks that frame many of Covington's streetscapes.
- Division of Morgan, Commerce and Virtue - Laid out in 1813 as an
"Avenue" along with the Division of St. John. Based on the same plan
as Canal Street in New Orleans, a tree-lined neutral ground existed down the
center of the Avenue. Joseph and Alfred Theard laid
out the area in lots and squares in 1879. For the most part, the lots and
squares were sold as family homes. As early as 1890, several businesses were
opened, establishing the area as an industrial site. In this area were the St.
Tammany Ice and Manufacturing Co., the Mackie Pine Oil Plan, Covington Grocery
and Grain Wholesalers and the Covington Train Depot.
- Covington Cemetary - On December 27, 1817,
the founder of Covington, John Wharton Collins, died at his home in New
Orleans. He was buried in Covington in accordance with his final request. He
was interred on the corner of Columbia and Kirkland. His widow sold the
surrounding land to the city five years later for a cemetery.
- The Old Railroad Depot, 503 N. New Hampshire - On May 16, 1888, the
East Louisiana Railroad reached Covington, heralding an economic boom. The
original depot faced New Hampshire Street with a passenger and freight terminal
facing east. During the mid-1900s, the Depot was moved one block to the present
site (now a restaurant).
- Covington Waterworks, c. 1930, 414 N. Theard.
Stucco Mission Style building with baroque style shaped gable parapets and a
Spanish style roof. It is the only building of this architectural style in
Covington, and is located in the Morgan, Commerce & Virtue.
- Old Covington Firehouse, c. 1930, 406 N. Theard.
This two-story wood frame structure was built in 1940. Living quarters were on
the top story and served as home to the family who answered the phone and
sounded the alarm for the 3rd Ward (Folsom, Covington and Mandeville). In 1949
the Volunteer Fire Department received a new Seagraves Fire Engine. It was
housed in this building while serving the community until the early 1970s. The
building is now the home of the Covington Downtown Development Commission.
- C.J. Schoen Middle School, c. 1914, 300 N. Jefferson. Formerly
Covington Grammar School, this structure is the oldest school building in use
in the parish. The school building was on this site as early as 1909.
- Commercial Hotel, Patrick Hotel and Roubion
Hotel, E. Gibson. In conjunction with the railroad boom, several hotels sprang
up along the track. The Commercial Hotel and Patrick Hotel on the north side of
Gibson Street were built after the 1906 fire (now commerce buildings and
offices).
- Covington Bank & Trust Building., c. 1885, 308 N. Columbia. The
Bank of Covington was established in these original quarters. It is the oldest
commercial building in Covington.
- H.J. Smith and Sons Hardware and Museum, c. 1876, 308 N. Columbia.
Oldest hardware and general store in the parish, housing unique artifacts on
the history of Covington. Of note are the dugout cypress canoe and lead coffin.
H.J. Smith and Sons was founded July 4, 1876.
- Abadie Family House, c. 1925, N. Lee Lane. Built by Hyacinth Louis
Abadie on the old Bogue Falaya River Bridge Road, it
is the site of the Louis Abadie store and bakery, c. 1885. Home remembered
throughout Covington for its beautiful gardens and landscape. It remained a
family home for more than 50 years until it was sold in 1981. Across the street
is a mural, "Christmas in the Country," painted by Elizabeth Bowab Joanen depicting turn of
the century Victorian cottages. (1993)
- Courthouse Square and Historic Oaks, 510 E. Boston. The first parish
courthouse was located across the Bogue Falaya River
in Claiborne. The second courthouse was erected on this site in Covington, c.
1850, to be demolished and replaced by the third courthouse, c. 1896. The
fourth and present parish courthouse is graced by oaks planted more than 245
years ago, predating our street plan of 1813.
- The Southern Hotel Building, c. 1907, 428 E. Boston. This building was
constructed at a cost of $100,000. There were once 200 feet of galleries
overlooking New Hampshire Street, a formal garden and tennis court. Tame and
exotic animals resided in cages in the central lobby surrounding an artesian
fountain (now parish offices).
- The Bogue Falaya Mens
Club, Old MCB Library, c. 1905. 131 N. New Hampshire. Constructed in 1903, the
ladies of Minerva's Chosen Band purchased this building for the town's first
lending. library in 1907.
- The Christ Episcopal Chapel, 120 N. New Hampshire. Organized and
founded in 1846, it is the oldest public building in use in St. Tammany Parish.
- Original Gates to Bogue Falaya Park, End of
N. New Hampshire. August 11, 1908, Dr. George R. Tolson sold to the town of
Covington the 13 acres that make up the Bogue Falaya
Park.
- Patecek Building, 301 Columbia. In the early
months of 1995, total restoration of this historic building began. Built
shortly after the Great Fire of 1898, the building provides a beautiful example
of turn of the century commercial architecture. For more than 60 years, 301
Columbia has housed retail stores and holds the distinction of its second floor
being Covington's first telephone exchange.
- Covington Bank & Trust II, 236 Columbia. Originally built in 1907,
it served as the second Covington Bank & Trust building. The structure also
housed a drug store and attorneys' offices on the second floor. After the
bank's closure in 1934, it housed the first chain grocery store in Covington.
During the tenure of the latest owner, the tile facade was added and
renovations were extended on the second floor.
- Seiler Building, 434 N. Columbia. Built in the early 1900s and still
known as the Seiler Building, this historic landmark once housed one of the
most prominent saloons, cafe and oyster bars in St. Tammany Parish. Of note
were the massive solid mahogany bars and counters throughout this fine example
of turn of the century urban architecture.
- Champagne Grocery, 427 N. Columbia. This beautiful structure once
housed the Champagne Grocery, founded in 1919, which remained open for more
than 60 years. In a time when groceries were delivered and for many years after
Champagne's was an important part of everyday life in Covington. When one
thinks of the small town grocery and a distant way of
life, one thinks of Champagne's.
- Old Freezer Plant, 526 N. New Hampshire. Built in 1945 as the Growers
Cooperative Association and better known as the "Old Freezer Plant,"
this building holds the distinction of being the first and only community
freezer plant in the area. At a time when most families did not have their own
freezers, this building once housed many a holiday turkey or ham. Many
residents still remember picking up their store of meat from the freezer.
- Columbia Street Landing, End of Columbia. The birthplace of Covington,
this active harbour once docked schooners and steamers and brought many early
settlers to Covington. Established in the early 1800s, it was a vital link to
other river cities transporting cotton, lumber, bricks, whiskey and mail.
Oyster luggers used the port to transport fresh oysters to the community
through the 1930s. Today, Diamond Bullet Design is located in the home at the
street's end, just above the landing.
- Covington Ice House, 322 N. Florida. This structure was built in 1910
and served as the Covington Ice House until the 1920s when it became home to D'Aquin's Wholesale Grain Company. Blossman
Gas Company occupied the building from 1934 until it was renovated as Tyler
Downtown Drugs and Cafe Cabaret.
Covington,
Louisiana - A Guide to Our City
Location
Covington is
situated between the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte
Rivers and serves as the Parish's finance, government, commercial and cultural
center. Because Covington is in a region referred to as the Ozone Belt, it has
long been known for its clean air and water.
Downtown
Covington's strategic location places it within 40 miles of New Orleans,
providing a beautiful country setting in which to live, work and play. The
City's numerous businesses include specialty, retail, government, nonprofit, and much more. The 28 square blocks of Downtown
Covington house many historic buildings dating back to the 1880s.
City
Government
The City of
Covington has a Mayor-Council form of government. The legislative power of the
city is vested in the council, which consists of two at-large members and five
district member.
Climate
Covington
enjoys a sub-tropical climate averaging 54 degrees in mid-winter to 81 degrees
in mid-summer for a yearly mean temperature of 68 degrees. The healthy green
foliage is due to abundant rainfall, averaging 62 inches annually.
The average
elevation is 9 feet above sea level. Because of Louisiana's close proximity to
the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes are an occasional threat from July 1, to
November 1.
Health Care
West St.
Tammany is served by two full-service hospitals with physicians representing
some 30 medical specialties. Lakeview Regional Medical Center and St. Tammany
Parish Hospital are 150-bed and 220-bed acute care hospitals, respectively.
Education
Covington's public
primary and secondary schools provide quality education. There are two
elementary (K-3), two middle (4-6), one junior high (7-9), and one high (10-12)
schools. The Covington area also offers a selection of private and parochial
schools for children of varied interests. In addition, two accredited four-year
institutions, Southeastern Louisiana University and
Tulane, as well as a junior college, Delta, offer greater educational
experiences.
Transportation
The New
Orleans International Airport, is only 45 minutes from Downtown Covington and
is accessible by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world's longest bridge.
Some 14 major airlines provide flights daily into and out of New Orleans
offering easy connections to major cities throughout the Caribbean and the
world. Three local, small aircraft airports are located in Abita Springs,
Hammond and Slidell. Commuter van pools and taxi services are available from
Covington to the New Orleans area daily.
Total cargo
tonnage handled by New Orleans' ports is higher than any other port in the
country. More than 480 million tons of foreign and domestic cargo were handled
in 1990.
In keeping
with Downtown Covington's historic land uses, parking is located in ox lots and
on streets around the city. Furthermore, parking is free of charge.
Festivals
& Events
Covington
offers a wide array of festivals, events and outdoor activities for the entire
family. Some of the activities include: Mardi Gras festivities, the Civil War
Re-Enactment, Heritage Festival, Bluesberry Festival,
Fourth of July Festivities, Antique Town Fair, Scarecrow Festival, Historic
Home Tours, Christmas in the Country, the St. Tammany Parish Fair, Makin' Music
Festival, Chef Soiree, Art in the Park, Walker Percy Symposiums, and the list
goes on. Contact the Covington Downtown Development District, St. Tammany
Parish Tourist and Convention Commission or St. Tammany West Chamber of
Commerce for dates and times.
Links to other websites:
Mayor's
Office - City of Covington Louisiana (covla.com)
Tammany Family: Columbia Street Landing
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