Tammany Family: Covington's Timeline of Key Events

In 2013 in recognition of Covington’s Bicentennial being celebrated that year city officials compiled a timeline showing key events in the community. Here is that timeline:

1785 - BADON SPANISH LAND GRANT

Sisters of the Collins brothers married Robert and Henry Badon. The boys' mother, Catherine, got 1,600 acres through a Spanish land grant in 1785.

1800 - 1936 COLUMBIA STREET LANDING

The landing is located where Columbia Street meets the Bogue Falaya River. This active harbor 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.

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1810 -JOHN WHARTON COLLINS COMES TO LOUISIANA

John Wharton Collins, Covington's founder, came to Louisiana in 1810 to join his brother William, who had staked out 600 acres on the Northshore below the Badon Plantation on the Tchefuncte River.

1810 - DRIEUX SPANISH LAND GRANT

Jacques Drieux was given a Spanish land grant of 40 arpents x 40 arpents above the confluence of the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya rivers. He intended to found a town and name it St. James or St. Jacques. His town never developed, however, perhaps because of the changing political situation prior to the area's incorporation into the United States in 1810.

1813 - COLLINS PURCHASES PROPERTY FROM DRIEUX

John Collins purchased Dreux's property for $2,300, using his wife's dowry of $2,000. Inscribed on the map that was presented to Parish Judge James Tate was "The Division of St. John of Wharton, founded on July 4, 1813, is humbly dedicated to the late Thomas Jefferson." Collins named the town Wharton after his grandfather. (The name of the town was later changed to Covington.)

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1814 - ANDREW JACKSON PASSES THROUGH COVINGTON

On his way to meet the British, Andrew Jackson passed through Wharton, as Covington was then known. His overland route took him from Mobile to Madisonville, where his troops boarded a mail packet run by William Collins, brother of the founder of Covington.

1816 - WHARTON CHANGED TO COVINGTON

Collins approached the legislature for a charter in 1816, and it was granted. The name of the town was changed to Covington, however, in honor of a hero of the War of 1812.

1817 - THOMAS TATE ELECTED MAYOR

Tate was the first Mayor of Covington.

1818 - COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTED IN CLAIBORNE

The first courthouse, built in 1818, still stands in the Claiborne Hill area, which was the parish seat.

1819 - COVINGTON BECOMES PARISH SEAT

December 27, 1827 - JOHN WHARTON COLLINS DIES

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 streets. His widow sold the surrounding land to the city five years later to be used as a cemetery.

1846 - CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH DEDICATED

Bishop Leonidas Polk, who would become known as the "Fighting Bishop," dedicated Christ Episcopal Church in 1846. The church is considered the oldest continuously occupied, non-residential building in the parish.

1850 - COURTHOUSE ERECTED ON BOSTON STREET

The second courthouse was erected at 510 East Boston Street in Covington.

1850 - HOSMER FAMILY SWISS CHALET

One 1850s boarding house was the Swiss Chalet run by the Hosmer sisters on Jahncke Street, which was named after the German family that donated the shell for the road. A carriage called the ferry line ran down Jahncke to Old Landing. The Hosmer family operated a sawmill on the Bogue Falaya River.

1860 - ST. TAMMANY DELEGATES VOTE AGAINST SECESSION

St. Tammany Parish delegates voted no to secession at the state legislature's convention.

1874 - ST. TAMMANY FARMER FOUNDED

The St. Tammany Farmer newspaper was founded in 1874 and is believed to be the oldest continuously operating business in St. Tammany Parish.

1875 - MAYOR W. CLALUDEL Mayor from 1875 - 1876

1875 - MAYOR GEORGE INGRAM

1875 - ST. PETER'S SCHOOL

St. Peter's School was likely founded by the Roman Catholic nuns as early as 1875.

1876 - MAYOR CHARLES HEINTZ Mayor from 1876 - 1877

1876 - H. J. SMITH'S SONS FOUNDED

H. J. Smith's Sons General Merchandise Store on Columbia Street in Covington and meet the fifth generation of Smiths to work in the business.

1877 - MAYOR F. B. MARTINDALE Mayor from 1877 - 1880

1880 - MAYOR E. R. RANDOLPH Mayor from 1880 - 1887

1884 - FIRST TELEPHONES INSTALLED IN TOWN

1885 - THE BANK OF COVINGTON

Covington Bank and Trust Building (circa 1885), 308 North Columbia Street The Bank of Covington was established in these original quarters. It is the oldest commercial building in Covington.

July 4, 1885 - ABADIE STORE AND BAKERY

Louis Abadie store and bakery (circa 1885), North Lee Lane at Gibson Street

1887 - MAYOR WILLIAM BADON Mayor from 1887 - 1888

1888 - RAILROAD COMES TO TOWN

The East Louisiana Railroad reached Covington, heralding and economic boom. The original depot faced New Hampshire Street with a passenger and freight terminal facing east. During the mid-1920s, the depot was moved one block to the present site, which is now a restaurant.

1888 - MAYOR FRANCIS A. GUYOL Mayor from 1888 - 1891

1891 - MAYOR EMILE FREDERICK Mayor from 1891 - 1892

1891 - DESIGNATED "THE MOST HEALTHY PLACE"

According to the book "St. Tammany Parish," by Frederick S. Ellis, Covington was named "The Most Healthy Place in theUnited States" due to the low number of deaths per population recorded in the 1890 census.

1892 - MAYOR F. B. MARTINDALE Mayor from 1892 - 1893

1893 - MAYOR CLAY ELLIOT Mayor from 1893 - 1894

1894 - MAYOR ADOLPH FREDERICK Mayor from 1894 - 1897

1896 - "NEW" COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTED

The existing courthouse was demolished and replaced by the third courthouse (circa 1896).

1898 - PATECEK BUILDING CONSTRUCTED

The Patecek Building, located at 301 North Columbia Street, was built shortly after the Great Fire of 1898. The building provides a beautiful example of turn-of-the-century commercial architecture. In the early months of 1995, total restoration of this historic building began.

November 1, 1898 - THE GREAT FIRE OF 1898

1899 - MAYOR C. Z. WILLIAMS Mayor from 1899 - 1908

1899 - DIXON ACADEMY (ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL)

To fill the need for upper level education, there were private schools for students whose families were able to pay for further education. Many private schools had come and gone in the Covington area, but today's St. Paul's School has continued since its establishment as the Dixon Academy in 1899.

1900 - ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE

St. Joseph's College, a boarding school for boys, was founded circa 1900.

1906 -FIRE STRIKES AGAIN

1907 - COVINGTON BANK & TRUST II 236 North Columbia Street

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, the building 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.

1907 SOUTHERN HOTEL CONSTRUCTED

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 a tennis court. Tame and exotic animals resided in cages in the central lobby surrounding an artesian fountain.

1908 -MAYOR E. V. RICHARD Mayor from 1908 - 1910

1910 – 1925 COVINGTON ICE HOUSE 322 North Florida Street

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.

1910 - MAYOR FRANK G. MARRERO, MD Mayor from 1910 - 1914

1913 - COVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

In 1913, the School Board passed a resolution making the Covington School a high school. Then, with the passage of a special tax and bond election in 1914, there was enough money to move the old wood building and build a new brick one.

1914 - COVINGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

C. J. Schoen Middle School (circa 1914), 300 North Jefferson Avenue. 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. The building was recently converted to administrative offices.

1914 - MAYOR PAUL LACROIX Mayor form 1914 - 1919

July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918 – World War I

1919 - MAYOR ROBERT J. BADON Mayor from 1919 - 1923

1919 - CHAMPAGNE GROCERY Champagne Grocery, 427 North Columbia Street

This beautiful structure once housed the Champagne Grocery, founded in 1919, which remained open for more than 60 years. At the time when groceries were delivered and for many years after, Champagne's was an important part of everyday life in Covington.

1920 - 1920 CENSUS

Covington was growing and by 1920 there were 2,942 people in town.

1923 - MAYOR JACOB SEILER Mayor from 1923 - 1925

1924 - NEW COVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL OPENS

In 1924, a new bond issue brought in the necessary money to purchase property on Jefferson Avenue between 17th Street and 18^th Street. By January 1925, work was well under way on the new Covington High School. In February 1925, it was also decided to house the School Board offices in the new building since the courthouse needed the space they had been using.

1925 -MAYOR WALLACE M. POOLE Mayor from 1925 - 1929

1928 - CHS NAMED ELMER E. LYON HIGH SCHOOL

The year 1928 was a banner year for Covington High School. In February, the name was changed to Elmer E. Lyon High School to honor the highly respected superintendent of schools, and bonds totaling $150,000 were issued to enlarge, improve and equip the Covington High School building and to purchase additional sites if necessary.

1929 - MAYOR CHARLES H. SHEFFIELD Mayor from 1929 - 1934

October 24, 1929 - STOCK MARKET CRASH

On October 24, "Black Thursday," the stock market lost 11% of its value at the opening bell on very heavy trading.

1930 - COVINGTON WATERWORKS Covington Waterworks (circa 1930), 414 North Theard Street 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 it is located in the Morgan, Commerce & Virtue.

1930 - COVINGTON FIREHOUSE - Old Covington Firehouse (circa 1930), 406 North Theard Street

This two-story wood frame structure was built in 1940. Living quarters on the top story 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 and served the community until the early 1970s.

1934 - MAYOR F. P. MARSOLAN Mayor from 1934 - 1939

1939 - MAYOR THOMAS J. CHAMPAGNE Mayor from July 1, 1939 - October 1, 1939

September 1, 1939 - August 15, 1945 World War Two

September 24, 1939 - June 24, 1969 HUBIE GALLAGHER AT CHS

For almost thirty years, 1939 to 1969, Coach Hubert S. "Hubie" Gallagher was an outstanding coach and teacher. In 1983, he was named to the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame. In 1939, he not only coached all sports, but taught civics, social studies and physical education. He got his first assistant coach in 1942, and in the following years some of his assistants included Freddie Seal, Tommy Bell, Jack Salter and Allie Smith.

1939 - MAYOR HEBERT FREDERICK Mayor from 1939 - 1945

1941 - THE COW DOME CONSTRUCTED

The old stands at the athletic field were replaced by a new stadium built by the WPA in 1941, and it became familiarly known as "the cow dome".

1945 - OLD FREEZER PLANT 526 North New Hampshire Street

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.

1945 - MAYOR EMILE MENETRE Mayor from 1945 - 1965

Emile Menetre

1945 "LYON HIGH" CHANGED BACK TO "COVINGTON HIGH"

Again the name was changed in 1945 from Lyon High back to Covington High since the law was that no school could be named after a person still living.

1950 - 1950 CENSUS

In 1950 the population of Covington was 5,113.

1955 - PLAYMAKERS ORGANIZED

Playmakers Inc. was organized in 1955 as a non-profit voluntary amateur theater and still functions as an organization for the promotion of dramatic interests in the Covington area.

1956 - CAUSEWAY OPENED

The original causeway bridge over Lake Pontchartrain was a two-lane span measuring 23.86 miles (38.40 km) in length. It cost $30.7 million and opened in 1956.

1958 - ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION

The St. Tammany Art Association was founded in 1958 by a small group of civic-minded individuals dedicated to bringing art to western St. Tammany Parish.

1959 - EARL K. LONG SANITY HEARING

Governor Earl K. Long's sanity hearing was held in the school gym What school? in 1959. Long had been committed to the state mental hospital in Mandeville.

1960 - 1960 CENSUS

In 1960, the population grew to 6,754.

1961 - NEW CHS GYM BUILT

In 1961, a new gymnasium was built.

1963 – 1995 THE JACK SALTER ERA

Under the guidance of Coach Jack Salter (258 Wins from 1963-95 (258-111-8) [69.5%]) Covington High achieved multiple State Championship appearances, including the 1976 State Championship Title. He was inducted into the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jack Salter

1965 ROSENWALD SCHOOL CLOSES

1965 MAYOR GILES PENNINGTON Mayor from 1965 - 1967

1966 - PINEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

In 1966, the school board opened up Pine View High School as a co-ed facility.

1967 - MAYOR ERNEST J. COOPER Mayor from 1967 - 1991; Retired as Mayor

Ernest J. Cooper

May 10, 1969 - CAUSEWAY NEW SPAN OPENED

A parallel two-lane span, 1/100th of a mile (15m) longer than the original, opened on May 10, 1969, at a cost of $26 million.

1970 - 1970 CENSUS

In 1970, the population was 7,170, but this was just the town. New subdivisions were being developed, and in the early 1960's when the space program brought thousands of engineers and other workers to the Michoud Plant and NASA installations, the influx became a flood. Between 1960 and 1968, St. Tammany Parish grew 62.3 percent in population, increasing from 38,643 in 1960 to 71,388 in 1968.

October 13, 1974 - COVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL BURNS

On October 14, 1974, the local newspaper headline read: "FIRE DESTOYS HIGH SCHOOL." Covington High School was destroyed byfire on Sunday morning, and the event was witnessed by hundreds of spectators who gathered in the chilly early morning air to see the end of the longtime education institution.

1975 - CHS NEW BUILDING

After school let out for the summer, the move was made to a new building. Using the insurance money, already an addition of fourteen classrooms was being added to the new school, but they weren't completed until the following January. In the meantime, the $1.7 million new school had only 36 teaching stations to accommodate about 1,000 students. The old school had 46 classrooms.

November 1, 1967 - CHS STATE CHAMPS

1981 - NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Covington's center was named the Division of St. John, now the historic district. The town was laid out in a unique pattern of squares (ox lots), which were accessed by alleyways. This unique layout is largely responsible for the Division of St. John's placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

1984 - COVINGTON FOOD BANK FOUNDED

The Covington Food Bank was originally founded as the Food Bank Inc. of St. Tammany and was located at 342 North Columbia Street. The idea for a food bank was planted at a meeting of the Ministerial Alliance of Covington by Deacon Skip Grafanini of St. Peter Catholic Church, who later went on to become the director of the food bank in January of 1985.

1987 - COVINGTON A MAIN STREET COMMUNITY

In response to a slumping economy and decline downtown, the city applied to become a "Main Street" community and was accepted in 1987. The National Main Street Program is a downtown revitalization program, which is administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1991 - MAYOR KEITH J. VILLERE Mayor from 1991 - 2003

Keith Villere

1997 - THREE RIVERS ART FESTIVAL CREATED

Established in 1997, The Three Rivers Art Festival has flooded the streets of downtown Covington with activities, music, color, and most importantly, art. It has grown from 49 to hundreds of exhibiting artists. The festival attracts a sophisticated buying public and a talented group of artists and fine craftsmen from all over the country, and it draws more than 50,000 visitors each year.

2000 - 2000 CENSUS

The population was 8,483.

March 2000 FINAL FRIDAY BLOCK PARTY CREATED

This free family event features a classic car show, live and DJ entertainment, food and drinks, and the shops and galleries are open late. The Columbia Street Block Party is held on the last Friday of each month from March through October.

2003 - ST. TAMMANY JUSTICE CENTER OPENS

2003 -MAYOR CANDACE WATKINS

Mayor from 2003 - 2011; First female mayor of Covington

Candace Watkins

August 29, 2005 - HURRICANE KATRINA

Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest and most destructive Atlantic hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States.