Monday, June 12, 2017

Marsolan Feed & Seed

A landmark business in downtown Covington, LA, was Marsolan Feed & Seed located at 316 East Gibson Street. Its main building burned down the night of Monday, November 15, 2021.

 
Click on the images to see a larger version.

Founded in 1939 by Norman Marsolan, it was being operated by his son Harvey Marsolan. Marsolan's sold products for pet care, gardens, lawn, and landscaping services. And on certain days it hosted a music show. 


 Hundreds of Covington area residents have fond memories of the establishment, its seeds, garden tools, straw hats, its selection of washtubs and buckets. They recall going there as children, mesmerized by the sights and smells. Farmers and ranchers frequented the place, not only for the fertilizers and gear, but to visit and check on what's new.
 
In recent years, the business was the site of occasional entertaining music programs, featuring a wide variety of bands. 

The business was established in 1939 by Norman Marsolan, the same year his father, the mayor of Covington, died. 



A business review ad in the St. Tammany Tribune, March, 1961


In 1991 Todd Valois, archivist for the parish clerk of court’s office, wrote an article about the Marsolan family that appeared in the Times-Picayune newspaper that April. He told how one of his favorite memories was riding his bike to Marsolan’s to look at the Easter chicks for sale.

“The store was a great place for a child. There was that wonderful smell of feed and so many things I couldn't touch,” Valois said.

In the article, he included the history of the Marsolan family in Covington. “Frank Pierre Marsolan was born on Feb. 8, 1877, in New Orleans. In the spring of 1908 he married Johanna Heinrich. The couple set up housekeeping in a home on Louisiana Avenue (now Jahncke Avenue),” according to Valois.

Frank Pierre first worked as a mail carrier between Covington and Waldheim, but early in  1919 he bought a storefront on Columbia street and operated a five and ten cent store for two decades. “Marsolan also became intensely involved in civic affairs. He was elected fire chief and was a founding member of the Covington Fire Department,” Valois went on to say.

The five and ten cent store was located in the old Patecek Building, corner Boston and Columbia, according to Vera Haik. 

 
An advertisement from 1926

In 1934, after serving on the city council for years, Frank was elected mayor of Covington. He died five years later in 1939, and his son Norman opened the feed and seed store on Gibson Street the same year.
 

 

 
 
Taking part in community festivities


 An advertisement from 1918





 
Some photos by Google street view


 

 
The Old Feed Store Music Series
 
 
 
 
 
Performing live on stage- The Necessary Gentlemen 




To view videos of the music being performed at Marsolan's



 Photos from their Facebook page








 
For information on the devastating fire, CLICK HERE. 
 
The morning after the fire...

 

 




 
Cleaning Up Photographs
 






 

Memories of Marsolan's

Marsolan's was the place to go
For feed and seed and more
You could search both high and low
And not find a better store

Gardening and farm supply
Was their stock in trade
Suggesting what's best to buy
On every purchase made

Youngsters thrilled to baby chicks
The rabbits and the rest
Hard to choose among the picks
Which birdhouse was the best

The hanging chimes would surely bring
A smile each time they're hit
A golden sound, a lasting ring
A memory exquisite

The chickens clucked as they do
Their antics will be missed,
They laid their eggs right on cue
For tomorrow morn's breakfast

The rows of seeds went on and on
The veggies and flowers too
And don't forget the organic
Is mighty good for you

It was a place to meet a friend
And enjoy the old time songs
The toe-tapping would never end
Where everyone belongs

The music and musician
Meant so much to many
Where everyone joined right in
And fun they had a'plenty

Memories of Marsolan's
Will bring a tear to some
Others will think of bands
That will never get to come

Farmers fed their families
The finest food on earth
From seeds they bought at Marsolan's
And got their money's worth

Many ranchers got their gear
Their livestock feed and more
From the fine people here
At Marsolan's great store

A fond farewell to Marsolan's
Eight decades of service
Brought lots of joy to lots of fans
And you surely will be missed

 Eighty years of helping their
Customers to know
What they needed to begin
To see what they could grow

Spring will always come again
And gardens are what we need
That's why we hope they'll build a new
Marsolan's Feed & Seed
 
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