Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage Restored

Here is the story of the re-location and restoration of the Tchefuncte River lighthouse keeper's cottage adjacent to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum in Madisonville. Sue Davis wrote the article for the News Banner newspaper in 2005. 

 

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A map showing the location of the museum and the lightkeeper's cottage is available by clicking on THIS LINK. 

Link for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum webpage.

 

Restoration of Civil Government

On June 10, 1865, Louisiana Governor J. Madison Wells wrote a letter to all the parishes in the state welcoming them back to the United States of America after the end of the Civil War. It was a difficult time for everyone, as they returned to their communities, their jobs, and their everyday life after years of war. Here is the text of his communication:

 

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Covington Downtown Flashbacks

Here are some pictures of downtown Covington and its stores from 30 or so years ago, in the 1980's and 1990's.

Click on the images to make them appear larger.  

 

The A&P Supermarket, located in the northwest corner of the Gibson St. - Florida St. intersection. 

The old Post Office across from the A&P

 

North side of Boston near the old Courthouse:
Collins Music and Prudential Insurance

 

The same as above, but at that time with murals...

 

 

Southwest corner of Boston and Columbia:
Charler's Jewelers where St. John's Coffee House is today.
Norman Haik's Dept. Store seen across the street.

 

Citizens Finance on Boston, across from the Old Courthouse

 

Tip-top Shoe Repair on Boston across from the old Courthouse. Currently where Heidi Bowers Photography is located.

 

Acme Oyster on south side of Boston St. near Boston Pub

 

 

Same scene as above, but with Blue Bayou Waterbeds
and Commercial Discount Loans occupying the storefronts.
Now home to Buster's Place Restaurant & Oyster Bar

 

Rue de la Course Coffee House prior to St. John Coffee House

 

Same location as above, but with Teens N Queens at corner

and W.Riggs Real Estate next to the barber shop

 Corner Columbia and Boston Sts., with Joe's Family Shoe
Store and Smith Hardware

 

Dunning's Florist, southeast corner of Boston and New Hampshire.
Current location of Del Porto's Restaurant

 

Tyler Downtown Drugs, southeast corner of Florida and Gibson Sts. Now the location of Renaissance Antiques and Gifts. 

 

Razzle Dazzle Hair Salon, northwest corner of Rutland and New Hampshire.
Current location of Jewel's Cigar & Briar Shoppe. 

 

Old Majestic Theater building, then First National Bank, then Hibernia National Bank, then Land Records office (shown), and now Christ Community Church

 

Do The Dishes, southeast corner of New Hampshire and Kirkland Sts.
Former location of  Beck N Call Cafe

Current location of Haven Coffee and Cocktails

 

The old train depot and Covington Depot Restaurant, Alexius
Brothers Hardware to the left

 

The building that housed Burns Furniture Store, now location of Covington Beer Garden

 

Hiller's Bar, northeast of New Hampshire and Gibson St. intersection,
in the curve of the train tracks (now known as Tammany Trace). The building is now home to the Back Porch (Club), something to do with the 4th Dimension.

 

Across New Hampshire St. from Hiller's Bar, the car sales lot office. Current location of the Covington Trailhead Concert Stage and Museum

Click here for Facebook Page for the Covington Trailhead Museum

 

The P&W Industries Scrap Metal Plant. The new St. TammanyParish Courthouse is now in that location.

 

The Gibson Street Bar and Lounge (now a vacant lot)

 

Same building, this time housing Dixie Cafe next door to Nathan's Sandwich Shop

 

  

Same building, this time housing the Little Bohemian Restaurant.
Currently occupied by a vacant lot.

 

Nathan's Sandwich Shop on Gibson, behind old courthouse.
Currently occupied by the Mattina Bella Restaurant

 

Hebert's Cleaners, prior to the 1997 tornado

 

 

Alexius Brothers Hardware building, Lockwood near Theard St. now the home of Once In A While Gift and Coffee Shop

 

Putt Putt Golf Course on Gibson, just west of Vermont St.

 St. Tammany Homestead Association office on Rutland St.

 

Majestic Club on Columbia near Rutland St. Current location
of Heritage Bank building

 

Champagne Jewelers on Columbia across from H.J. Smith's Son General Merchandise. Current location of Mo's Art Supply, at left 

 

The ever-popular Maison Nez, northwest corner of Columbia and Gibson Sts.
Current location of Gulf Coast Lanterns.

 

Robert's Beauty College, northeast corner of Columbia and Lockwood Sts.
Originally a funeral home, the building currently houses an art school and gallery
and a hair salon for men.

 

The Columbia Street washateria, the building that became the home of the
St. Tammany Art Association

 

The Western Auto Store, southeast corner of Vermont and Gibson Sts.
Currently the home of Downtown Drugs

 

The Frederick Building entrance on Boston St., flanked by Bill's Barber shop and the Team Works. Doorway at right currently leads to Northshore Vineyard Church.

Boston St., south side, looking west from Columbia St. 

Thanks to the Covington Trailhead Museum for sharing many of these images from the 1980's and 1990's. 

See also:

Covington Street Scenes - 1970's

Covington Street Scenes - 1982

Covington Street Scenes Early 20th Century

More Covington Street Scenes Early 20th Century 

Lee Lane: Pictures from the Past 

 

History of Mandeville

In 1973 the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper ran a short thumbnail sketch of Mandeville's history. Here it is. Click on the image to make it larger. 

100 years ago this week

What was going on 100 years ago this week? CLICK HERE for a link to the St. Tammany Farmer of December 28, 1918. The link is provided by the Library of Congress and its Chronicling America service. In this collection are items about Jahncke Shipyard activities, society news and Madisonville road reports.

Click on the sample images below to see a larger version.