The American Legion moved out in 1985, the senior citizens center moved out in 2014, and the Friends of the Library book sale moved out a month ago.
The concrete block structure was torn down Monday afternoon. Here are some pictures. Click on the images to make them larger.
The Hadden Family Home
The old Hadden family summer home was located at 106 South Jahncke Ave. in Covington, LA, the corner of Jahncke and East 21st Avenue. Over the past 100 years, the location served many purposes, the home of the Haddens, the American Legion Post, the Covington Senior Center, and the site of the monthly book sale of the Friends of the Library.
The building was the summer home of the Hadden family for four generations. There were bedrooms, baths, a kitchen and a parlor, as well as a front porch. The attic had dormer windows, and it was perfect for warm weather living.
The family was associated with businesses in New Orleans. There were three children, Zemurrah, Robert and Cal. Robert was killed in World War I and because of this, Mrs. Hadden became interested in and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
The Hadden family was active in a variety of area community organizations and improvement societies, from the M.C. B. library and Women's Progressive Union to the King's Daughters Rest Awhile retreat on the Mandeville lakefront.
It is a location rich in memories. There are memories of the Hadden family who lived there during the summers, watching the traffic go by on Jahncke Avenue, which at one time was the main thoroughfare down to Old Landing where many of the steamboats arrived. The road then turned and went on to Madisonville.
Jahncke Avenue is now a beautiful tree-shaded street with big homes and extensively-renovated summer cottages. But a hundred or so years ago, it was the main highway through Covington that went from north St. Tammany and on down to Madisonville.
The Hadden Home property was purchased by Mrs. Lenora Hadden on October 8, 1902, from James M. Thompson, according to documents provided by the local American Legion Post.
In 1945, when Hadden Hall was no longer being used by the family, Mrs. Hadden leased the use of the hall to the American Legion post, with the stipulation that no alcoholic beverages could be served inside the building and the American Legion post must hold at least one meeting a month there.. An annex to the building was built by the Legion post.
This glass sign was removed from the building on Jahncke Avenue, and it is now on display in the new American Legion Museum on Covington 190 Bypass
As such it provided a place to make many fond memories for the thousands of American Legion members over the years, those who attended meetings there, visiting with friends, holding officer installations, annual military observances, awards programs, and scholarship presentations, as well as weekly bingo games.
Robert H. Burns, the Legion Post's namesake
The Legion also rented the hall out for wedding receptions and other public and private gatherings, so there are the memories of the building in the minds of the people who attended those wedding receptions and private parties and dinners.There were regularly scheduled dances, even "sock hops."
At one time, the building served voters in precincts C04 and C05 as their polling place. Many longtime residents as well as newcomers remember casting their ballots in the building for various elections.
After the American Legion built its new home out on U. S. 190 bypass, the Council on Aging began using Hadden Hall in July of 1985 for its senior citizen center in the Covington area, serving daily lunches to dozens of senior citizens, in addition to the various arts and crafts activities at the site.
The sign out front
Lunchtime!
There were social gatherings, dinners, bingo games, card games, art lessons, and special informative events, each one of those a memory-maker and a memory-sharing experience among seniors.
One can only guess how many photos of grandchildren were shown to friends and acquaintances, how many health and age discussions went on, and how many senior citizens appreciated the chance to get out of the house and see their friends and neighbors.
Dominoes!
The Senior Citizens Center celebrated the Fourth of July and other special occasions there with community get-togethers, and, on a daily basis, about 35 seniors enjoyed lunches there. The group held yard sales and other fund-raising events to help pay for clean up and fix up efforts for the building.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
For many years, the senior citizens shared the building with the Friends of the Library organization for its monthly book sales. The first book fair held by the Friends of the Library organization in Covington was held on May 20 and 21, 1977, in the Bogue Falaya Mall. Then it was moved to Hadden Hall.
The book sales took place in the rear building addition for decades, then moved into the front section of the building for even more sales space. Click on the "play triangle" on the video below for a quick tour of the many thousands of books, records, Compact Disks, DVD's, magazines, sets of encyclopedias, etc. (Set to music!)
Here are some photos of the book sales.
Through these side doors of Hadden Hall passed thousands of book lovers taking home their treasured finds from the ever-changing supply of books donated to the Friends of the Library for its monthly book sale.
Book sale workers, with Margie Abel at right
"Jahncke Avenue has become the St. Charles Ave. of Covington," Ross said, commenting about the many new homes being built as well as the grand old homes being preserved. The road was named in honor of the Jahncke family after the Jahncke dredging services provided enough shells to improve the road from Covington to Madisonville.
A few weeks ago, the books were moved out of the building and are now being stored until a new home can be found for the popular Friends of the Library event.
Over on Facebook, more than 100 people have commented about Hadden Hall; here are a few of their memories.
Many recall going with their grandparents to play bingo there, taking part in Girl Scout activities there, and taking dance lessons in the building. But there are also memories of birthday parties, the cannon that was on the outside that kids used to play on, and Saturday morning events for the neighborhood children.
Not only that, but there was a John Pela TV show shot on location there at one time, with local teens featured.
Photos of
Hadden Hall
Over the Years
The ramp
The front porch
A flag-raising ceremony
The front entrance
During the demolition, special care was taken not to damage the large trees standing in front of the building.
Tribute to Hadden Hall
Among the many places,
In our community,
Sometimes you find, one comes to mind,
That stirs a memory
Hadden Hall was such a place,
Where people came to visit
To enjoy a meal, and what a deal,
To find a book exquisite.
The memories cascading,
Weddings flung with rice,
To meet with friends, talk til it ends,
And honor those who sacrificed
Hadden Hall did it all,
Home to Post 16,
Senior Center, Summer, Winter,
And Bingo games often seen
The rows of books went on
And on, records, tapes and more
Many sought and books were bought,
Pleased by what was found in store
A building whose main purpose
Was to shelter and provide
All walks of life escape from strife
Friends to share, to care and guide
We say good-bye to Hadden Hall
It will be long remembered,
Taking the lead in filling a need,
Through the services it rendered.
Among the many places,
In our community,
Sometimes you find, one comes to mind,
That stirs a memory
Hadden Hall was such a place,
Where people came to visit
To enjoy a meal, and what a deal,
To find a book exquisite.
The memories cascading,
Weddings flung with rice,
To meet with friends, talk til it ends,
And honor those who sacrificed
Hadden Hall did it all,
Home to Post 16,
Senior Center, Summer, Winter,
And Bingo games often seen
The rows of books went on
And on, records, tapes and more
Many sought and books were bought,
Pleased by what was found in store
A building whose main purpose
Was to shelter and provide
All walks of life escape from strife
Friends to share, to care and guide
We say good-bye to Hadden Hall
It will be long remembered,
Taking the lead in filling a need,
Through the services it rendered.
Thanks
goes to the Council On Aging of St. Tammany for providing some of the
photographs for this article. The American Legion Post provided some
background information.
Hadden Hall - Senior Services Center
