The Promise of Abita Springs

 In August of 1886 an article appeared in the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper telling of "The Promise of Abita Springs." It laid out the discussions that had been going on to make Abita Springs a mecca for tourists, especially those seeking the health-restorative attributes of its legendary medicinal waters. Here is that article as published.

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The text from the article follows:

The Promise of ABITA SPRINGS.

A MOVEMENT ON FOOT TO ESTABLISH GRAND HOTEL.

AN INTERVIEW WITH COL. JOSEPH A. WALKER ON THE SUBJECT—A NEW LINE OF ROAD BUILDING IN THAT DIRECTION —THE WINDSOR HOTEL COULD BE MOVED THITHER.

(Originally published in the New Orleans Times Democrat, Aug. 5, 1886.)

People of this city who have a few days' vacation to spend outside of it, in hunting around for a quiet spot, often say: "I would go to Abita Springs were it not for the trouble one experiences in reaching there." And most of those leaving the city seek the small towns along the Lake and Gulf shores, while those who have more time and money to spend find refuge among the springs and watering places of the North.

Many who have visited the mineral Springs of the Abita river claim that these Springs offer more inducements for health and comfort than can be found in the far famed Northern springs. Abita Springs are situated on the banks of the Abita river, twenty-eight miles from the city, in the parish of St. Tammany, and is known as the Abita Chalybeate and Saline Springs. But few even know of the existence of the place and the curative properties said to belong to its waters.

For several days past it. has been reported that Col. Joseph A. Walker had made a trip to Abita to examine the water and locality, with a view to investment. The Colonel was waited upon yesterday by Times-Democrat reporter, to whom be said:

"Yes, I have been to the Abita Springs. I heard a good deal of the Spring, so I went over to look at it, and get a little recreation. Having heard of the curative effects of this water, I concluded to make the trip and see for myself.

"'How did you reach there ?"

"I'll tell you. First let me say that the trip is a long one for the short distance. I left here on Monday last. At 1 o'clock I took the Pontchartrain stem of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and on the arrival of the train at Milneburg embarked on the steamer New Camelia. We crossed the lake and then went up the Tchefuncta river, which is a beautiful ride and affords a great diversity of scenery up to Old Landing, where the New Camellia makes fast. At 7 o'clock Old Landing was reached, and a stage was taken to the Springs -- the trip, a pleasant one, consuming seven hours, is very long for so short a distance, twenty eight miles. It should be Jamie in two hours and a half with proper facilities.

"The  Spring is situated two and Lull miles from Covington. Thu surrounding country is undulating anti heavily timbered, and is elevated on an average of about twenty-live feet above the usual surface of the Abita river. It is alluvial and covered by handsome pine trees, interspersed here and there by massive oaks. The soil is sandy."

What do you think of the water, as compared with that of the other celebrated Springs that you have visited?

"I have been to all the celebrated Springs in this country. I consider the Bethesda Springs, of Wankesha, Wis. and the Poland Springs, in Maine, equal to Carlsbad, in Germany, for diabetes and Bright's disease. Poland for Bright's disease, and Bethesda for diabetes. From an analysis by Drs. J. L. and W. P. Riddell, Professors of Chemistry in the University of Louisiana, there is no doubt in my mind but that the Abita water is equal to the waters that I have mentioned Louisiana, as well as humanity at large, should be congratulated at having this celebrated water in two and a half hours' journey from Clay statue, provided proper facilities are afforded."

"What do you consider proper facilities ?"

"Conveyance to reach the Spring with ease; a steamboat to cross the Lake to Mandeville, which would be nothing more nor less than a terry that could cross in from one and a quarter to one and a half hours. Then build a railroad from Mandeville to the Spring, the distance being a little over eight anti three-quarter miles, which run could be made in half an hour. Then erect a nice hotel, ample for the accommodations of from 600 to 1000 guests, after the style of the Hotel Windsor at the Exposition, which can be taken apart and placed in position in a couple of weeks. That hotel could be purchased, and would answer all intents and purposes. There is plenty of land there, and on my arrival at the Spring I was surprised to see such a grand spot totally un-cared for. With all the facilities that nature affords it, man has done nothing. I awoke at 6 A.M. and went to the Spring. I found the place dry and free from malaria."

"This place could be made one of the finest watering places in the United States. In summer Southerners would patronize it, and in winter Northern invalids would flock to it, provided the proper arrangements and accommodations are made, all of which could be done at an expense of from $200,000 to $250,000."

How can this amount be raised?'

"It should be raised in a week by a stock company. With such natural advantages and facilities that the country affords, and with such curative waters, there should be no hesitancy on the part of capitalists to go into this."

"How would this money be expended?"

"In a steamboat, railroad, hotel, beautifying and embellishing the Spring with a pretty park around it, as well as gardens around the hotel. There is lots of ground there, and the hotel could be surrounded by a grand garden."

`Were a stock company organized, would you go into it?"

"Yes: I would be but too glad to go into it, fur I think there is money in it for all parties concerned."

"What would be the effect to the surrounding country of the construction of such improvements as you speak of ?"

"Considering as a means of protection, as a means of retaining to New Orleans and Louisiana a large portion of that surplus capital that is being daily taken from here and spent along the Lake shore and at the watering places in the North, going to enrich other places; as offering to that large class of most useful citizens—the laboring classes, familiarly known as the 'can't-get-aways'— an easily accessible refuge from the enervating weather of the city during the summer."

"Is it a scheme that you would recommend for capitalists?"

"I think that if a few of our capitalists would go over there and see for themselves, it would only be a question of a few days before such a project would be consummated."

"Have you made an examination of the question with a view of investment yourself ?"

"I have been so busy since my return from Abita that I have not matured any plans or spoken to anyone, but without going into the details, I would be willing to go in as one of the stock company."

THE PROPOSED RAILROAD.

The house of Poitevent & Favre was next visited. The members of the firm were absent from the city. Mr. P. A. Orr, the firm's representative, was conversed with relative to the road that is being constructed in the vicinity of Abita Springs. 

He stated that on Tuesday three miles of rail had arrived, which, when laid, would complete sixteen miles of the road and bring the road within five miles of Abita. This road is not being built for the benefit of the Springs, but for the timber business of the firm, and it is only being pushed toward Abita for the reason that Abita offers better grading than any other section. He is almost certain that the road will reach Abita by next summer. It. is too late for the present season.

He was told, by Mr. Leon Lamothe, that the Abita Spring water had kept him (Lamothe) from the grave, and that if a railroad was constructed to the Spring, Mr. Lamothe would erect a hotel at a cost of not. less than $10,000.

Mr. 0. F. Theisman, the well-known grocer of Magazine street, came from Abita yesterday morning and returned in the afternoon. He has been ailing for the past three years, and says that the Abita water has done him more good in two weeks than all the medicines in three years. When told of the plan of Col. Walker relative to the removal of the Windsor Hotel, he said that the idea was a capital one and that if a stock company is organized he will take some of the stock.

St. Tammany Farmer Newspaper August 14, 1886

Links for more information:

Abita Springs Development Proposal 1887

Abita Springs Hotels

Train Trip in 1886 From New Orleans to Abita Springs

CHS Students in 1910

 Here is a group picture of the students attending Covington High School in 1910, some 116 years ago. 

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Sunken Civil War Gunboats Near Covington

Somewhere in the Bogue Falaya River near Covington are the wrecks of three Confederate gunboats. They were the Carondelet, Bienville and the Oregon. The first two boats were built at a  New Orleans shipyard on Bayou St. John, but the Oregon was built in New York a few years earlier. All three were used for a while in the New Orleans area during the early days of the Civil War.

The Bienville and the Carondelet were small paddle-wheelers mounting a few heavy guns that became ready for service in March 1862. The Oregon was a small army gunboat. They all helped evacuate Confederate troops from the New Orleans to Mandeville when Union forces began to overrun New Orleans. They carried some 1500 soldiers out of New Orleans, and after that the boats were taken up the Tchefuncte River and the Bogue Falaya River, all their guns and armor were removed and the ships themselves were scuttled so they wouldn't fall into Yankee hands. 

Here is a map of the river made a few years after the Civil War showing where the boats were laid to rest. Over the years many Civil War historians have visited the sites and rescued whatever items of historical interest they could find. 

Map showing locations of the wreckage of the Carondelet and the Bienville

Click on the maps to make them larger. 

The Bienville was described as a sidewheel steamer, built in March of 1861 and sunk on April 21, 1862. The Carondelet was built in 1862 and scuttled on April 4, 1862. 

A map showing the location of the wreckage of the Oregon, just upstream of where the Abita River branches off from the Bogue Falaya.

The Oregon, also a sidewheel steamer, was built in 1846 at New York City and sunk in 1862.It was described as weighing 532 tons, 216 feet long and 26 feet wide. The information for this posting came from several Civil War websites. 

The above maps were made in 1871 by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

Links of Interest:

McGlothlin Searched For Artifacts

Tammany's Ties To The World's First Submarine

Life on Turnpike Road - Late 1800's

Miss Frances Williams

 Covington High art teacher Frances Williams was a student favorite. She promoted art throughout the community. The 1965 Covington High yearbook was dedicated to her. 

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Seventh Graders Back in 1941

 Seventh grade students at Covington Elementary School posed for this picture in 1941. Lots of names. Click on the image to make it larger. 

Middle Road School Students

 This picture shows several students from the Middle Road School, which was located between Lee Road and Folsom, back in the mid-1930's. Click on the image to make it larger. 

Covington City Officials - 1910

 A hundred and fifteen years ago, in 1910, this group of men were city officials in Covington. Click on the image to make it larger. 

History Chart

 In May of 2022 the St. Tammany Parish Government released this chart detailing the historical timeline of the parish. It was part of the "New Directions 2040" study document. Click on the image to make it larger. 

Smith Chevrolet

 Here's a photo of the crew at Smith Chevrolet Company in Covington in 1931. Click on the image to make it larger. 

  The Smith Chevrolet Company in Covington was established in 1926, and adopted its new name in 1928. 

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Advertisement from 1977

For more information:

Arthur Chevrolet's Gravesite is in Slidell

Lacombe Seniors Choose Mardi Gras Royalty- 1976

 In 1976 the Senior Citizens Club of Lacombe elected their own Mardi Gras royalty. Here's a picture of the group. Click on the image to make it larger.