Our Lady of the Lake Student Officers 46 years ago...
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Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Monday, April 10, 2023
Kindergarten Students Find A Shoe
In 1970 students at the 22nd Avenue Kindergarten in Covington found a big shoe in the yard of their playground.
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Image above provided by Michael Wascom
In 1972, more pictures were printed in the October 31 issue of the Covington Daily News:
See also:
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Ship's Bell Lounge in Mandeville
This sounds like it was an interesting place to visit in 1973.
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Text from a Mandeville Bantam article May 27, 1973:
SHIP'S BELL LOUNGE
If you're looking for a unique atmosphere and friendly service then you should visit the Ship's Bell Lounge at 127 Gerard Street. Lilian and Norman Rack are always ready to provide interesting conversation and tell you about their extensive collection of navigational equipment which includes sextons, telescopes, binoculars, and compasses from all over the world.
In one corner you can even see a complete diving suit, mask and all. Other interesting objects include a whale harpoon and carved whale's teeth. Norman stated that he wanted to stress a family atmosphere and that be personally ushers out anyone who makes the slightest sign of trouble.
Lilian Rack is originally from Denmark where she worked in a number of luxury
hotels as a housekeeper and social manager. She met Norman while he was engaged in a diving operation near Denmark; her position at that time was social manager for the Hotel Codan, one of the best in Denmark.
Their present business has been in existence for only one year, it was formerly known as Alex Band's Lounge. Norman is originally from Toledo, Ohio and has resided in N.O. for 17 years before moving to Mandeville. He has served in the Navy and in the Merchant Marines due to his love for the water and exploring its depths.
Deep sea diving is another of his accomplishments, he has traveled world-wide on some expeditions to locations such as the Middle East, England, Germany, Alaska, and Canada. He recently completed a commercial diving job in 260 feet at the mouth of the Mississippi.
Other jobs include the chlorine barges which sank near Baton Rouge, the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel and the Dry Dock that Hurricane Betsy damaged in New Orleans.
His future plans include the publishing of a diver's handbook when he feels it is completed. The Racks have also added to their accomplishments a beautifully illustrated book about the art of macram'e, entitled "Macram'e, Advanced Technique and Design".
Included in the book are sophisticated macram'e designs and tying techniques plus a unique section on Nautical Fancy Rope Work.
Another of Norman's unusual accomplishments is building ships in bottles which he has been practicing for 25 years. He is planning to publish a book on that very subject when he has enough information and photos compiled.
It would be well worth a visit to the Ship's Bell to simply meet these interesting people.
Friday, April 7, 2023
Class of 1947 Reunion
In 1997, some 26 years ago, the Covington High School Class of 1947 held its 50th Anniversary Class Reunion, enjoying the occasion with a boat ride on the Tchefuncte Queen. Here is a picture of that event from the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper.
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And the 30th anniversary class reunion was held in 1977.
Thursday, April 6, 2023
The Houltonville Pavilion
Pineland Park upriver from Houltonville was a fun place in its day. It was on the east side of the Tchefuncte River, a little upstream from Madisonville. It featured a large dance hall, a restaurant, amusement places, boat houses, and vacation rentals. A ferry took people across the river in the days prior to the building of the bridge.
Pineland Park Advertisement
In a letter to the St. Tammany Farmer in 1974 Charles J. Mugnier of Madisonville recalled that Pineland Park was several riverbends upriver from the town and was the terminal for the paddle-wheeled passenger boat The New Camelia.
That vessel brought folks from Milneburg (Pontchatrain Beach) in New Orleans each Wednesday and Sunday to Mandeville, Lewisburg, and Madisonville.
Further down river from Pineland Park, and closer to Madisonville, was Houltonville, also known as White City. Its large gathering place was called "The Pavilion" while the building next to it was a general merchandise establishment, or company store for The Houlton Lumber Co.
The lumber company operated a huge sawmill employing most of the population of Houltonville, according to Mugnier. "This company, similar to many such company owned communities in the Southern states, paid workers in "script," which consisted of cardboard discs in denominations of one cent, 50 cents, and $1 pieces (equivalent to U.S. Coins of similar value.)"
The company employees had a special name for the funny money, referring to them as "squizzlums," Mugnier said.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion operated for many years until the sawmill closed down around 1915 or 1916.The businesses associated with it were a restaurant, a saloon, and sleeping accommodations. "There was also a dance and entertainment hall for mill workers," Mugnier said.
Music was popular, and the instruments included harmonicas, piano, and guitars. Mugnier stated that "the favorite drink quaffed by the merrymakers was red wine, spiked with grenadine, called "Sweet Lucy."
There was also a butcher shop furnishing beef, lamb and pork meats, all of which was slaughtered, placed in public cold storage and fully processed by the owner, Mugnier went on to say. "It might be sold at prices of 25 cents per pound for the choicest steak, with pork and lamb at even lesser cost," he noted.
The entire business complex was owned, operated and managed by Eugene Mugnier, the brother of Gus and Henry Mugnier, who operated the renowned Crescent Hotel (also known as the old Mugnier Hotel) located on the lakefront in Mandeville.
Eugene Mugnier, to say the least, was a most enterprising individual, Charles stated. "He also, in conjunction with the Pavilion, operated the restaurant and saloon for many years on the steamboat New Camelia," Mugnier explained.
See also:
Beau Chene Subdivision History
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
The Remarkable Dr. Henry E. Gautreaux
In 1958 Dr. Henry E. Gautreaux of Covington was honored to be named King of the annual Kaa Cee Carnival Ball. His excellent reputation was well-known throughout the community. He was appointed interim coroner for St. Tammany Parish in 1947 and went on to serve as coroner for many years. He also served as the physician for the Covington Volunteer Fire Department in 1951.
An article in the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper applauded him for his lifetime of unselfish community service, a doctor who came up from the horse and buggy days in the era of penicillin. antihistamines and vitamin pills, all the time retaining his simplicity, friendly interest and sense of unflagging duty.
According to the article, Dr. Gautreaux finished Tulane University's school of medicine in 1904 while residing in New Orleans. He came to Covington In 1906. His practice was so busy that not many young men could keep pace with him.
The doctor served as St. Tammany's coroner for more than 16 years, and the newspaper admitted that at times the load had been quite strenuous. "It's not unusual to hear of him making four and five widely separated calls through St. Tammany parish to witness the aftermath of violent, sudden or unexplained death," the article stated.
"And in all these years, no one has ever opposed him for the coroner's office. Perhaps it's just as well, because there's every indication you couldn't lick him in a political race," it was concluded.
In 1952, Dr. Gautreaux was named "Citizen of the Year" in a contest sponsored by the Covington Lions Club.
When asked how many babies he had delivered into this world, he reminded the writer that he discontinued his obstetrical practice in 1946. "But", he added, "I suppose I delivered at least 2.000 babies while I was at it."
The article closed with this comment: "Lots of those 2,000 have grown into manhood and womanhood, and now have children of their own. Lots of them are named Henry. Some even went all the way and took both names—Henry Gautreaux, plus the mandatory last name.
Farmer Feb. 21, 1958
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In 1952 he was honored by the Lions Club as Man of the Year
The incredible story of Dr. Gautreaux was told in this extensive article in a 1952 edition of the St. Tammany Farmer.
Dr. Henry Gautreaux, Covington Medical Legend
St. Tammany Farmer January 18, 1952
Forty-six years ago there came to Covington a light, a light in the lives of many which was destined to shine bright and long. That light has never even as much as quivered one time in all those years—at least never in such a way that it would dim the way trod by our citizens.
The battery of that light is encased in a shell that has withstood many a lick, many a fall and an kinds of weather—but never a short. Shorts don't come in those kind of lights and last as long and served as well as the one Covington has been so fortunate in having all these years. No Christmas lights on the tallest tree ever shown any brighter.
We have the opportunity so few times in a generation to know a man of the character, ability, understanding and tenderness which is so much of Dr. Henry E. Gautreaux.
Dr. Gautreaux has been named the "Outstanding Citizen of Covington in 1951," and it is an honor so rightfully deserved—even if he does think different.
Dr. Gautreaux was born in New Orleans, one of five children, the son of Henry E. and Mary Scallen Gautreaux. He attended Jesuits High School there, as well as Tulane University, where he graduated in medicine in 1904. It was after two years' internship at Touro Infirmary that he came to Covington to make his home, in 1906.
Since first coming to Covington right after the turn of the century, Dr. Gautreaux has seen and has been a big factor in the many changes which have made this section the attraction and healthy spot it is today. He remembers well, certainly, when two pairs of shoes were needed to cross the street when it rained—one pair to wear across the street and the other to put on after getting there.
He has struggled his share of the time to get to patients needing his attention, with his horse and buggy, on cold, wintry nights or in the hot summer sun. Nothing ever stopped him or made him give an excuse.
Dr. Gautreaux will say he never did anything in his line which he wasn't supposed to do. But it is just human nature to want to slack off just a little once in a while. This we have never heard of him doing.
His chosen profession didn't take all his useful time, though. He had activities other than medicine that would keep many an average person busy themselves. Throughout his life he has served his fellow men in one way or another. In 1914 he served as a member of the local draft board and devoted time to selling Liberty bonds.
He was active then, and still is, in Red Cross work in St. Tammany parish. Committees on which he has served as chairman and member are too numerous to remember, much less name. There are few committees in the Louisiana State Medical Association on which he hasn't served.
He is a past Grand Knight of the Covington chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and has served at some time in all the offices of the organization. He was Deanery Chairman of the Holy Name Society and District Chairman of the Eucharistic Congress when it convened in New Orleans in 1939. He received a citation from Archbishop Rummel for his work in that capacity. He is a charter member and vice-president of the St. Tammany Homestead Association.
He is married to the former Myrza Mayer of Eunice, whose parents are Louis and Catherine Todd Mayer of Eunice. They were married Nov. 3, 1928.
It has always been said, and has proven so true through the years, that a man's success in life is governed largely by the home he has provided for him by his wife.. Mrs. .Gautreaux plays her role as a devoted and helpful mate in a manner which would be an envy of the stout-hearted trouper.
She sacrifices and gives every time her husband feels it his duty to help any cause. But, after all these years, both Dr. and Mrs. Gautraux have enjoyed whatever they have given to make others enjoy life. For 22 years they never had the opportunity to take a real vacation. Their first, in 1948, was a trip to Texas. Indeed, a small return on a life's investment.
With all the extra activities, Dr. Gautreaux had time to spend with his four children, Henry, Byron, Murial (now Mrs. Hubert Gallagher) and Raymond. He also found time to do the parish coroner's work under other doctors for over 25 years. In 1946, he was appointed coroner, succeeding Dr. Fenwick Young, who resigned. He was elected without opposition to that post in 1948 and again in the election held this week.
One of the many things he has done for the community and which he takes extra pride in is the new ultra-modern mental hospital being built in St. Tammany parish, near Mandeville. He is a member of the Board of Directors of that institution, which will be dedicated in April this year. His interest in it lies in the fact that the hospital will be used partly for research work in the mental disease field of medicine. For him to be made its first director would, indeed, be a climax to a life that has been so full, and such an inspiration to his fellow men.
Dr. Gautreaux was appointed interim coroner when Dr. Fenwick Young Resigned in 1947
He was also active during the formation of the St. Tammany Humane Society
In 1954 he was honored by the state medical society.
Dr. Gautreaux was instrumental is establishing the Mental Health Hospital in Mandeville
He died on July 2, 1969
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Dress Styles Around The World
Several students at Lyon High in the 1930's put on dress styles from around the world to illustrate the different kinds of national costumes. Here is an old photograph of those students wearing those dresses.
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Monday, April 3, 2023
Theodorus Willems - Gardener Extraordinaire
When Theodorus Willems came to America from Holland, he discovered a land of opportunity, especially for young folks with landscaping and gardening skills. Here is the article I wrote about him 48 years ago.
Theodorus Willems
Skill in Gardening Brought Willems Luck
When Theodorus Willems came across the Atlantic ocean to America 56 years ago, he had a feeling it would bring him luck. Since then, he has made his mark on properties throughout southeastern Louisiana as a professional gardener and landscaper. He is currently turning his talents on the yard around the First Baptist Church in Covington.
Willems lives in Waldheim now after moving here from New Orleans many years ago. He came to know many top names in the nursery business there, men who admired his talent and knowledge in the gardening field.
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He came to America after reading a newspaper ad in a Holland newspaper which gave five Dutch boys a chance to come to the United States. When his Dutch mother asked him why he wanted to leave his home land. he said, "I want to see some of God's beauty."
He was truly impressed with the sight of the Statue of Liberty as his boat sailed into New York harbor, and he was also impressed by the story behind the statue as told by one of the boat's crew.
Once in New York, he took a train to New Orleans, then went down to Barataria to a place called Hopehill Farm. He tried living there a while, but he yearned more and more to get back into nursery work.
He finally went to New Orleans to work for millionaire heiress Mrs. John Dibert. She was like a mother to him, he said, teaching him to read and write English. Her family had made millions in timber, so she was able to impress upon him the importance of saving money.
He worked for Mrs. Dibert as her gardener, putting skills to work that he had learned in Holland. "I never went to school," he said, "but I'm a professional gardener, having learned everything from my work." For a while, he operated a florist business in New Orleans, sold everything and then went to Waldheim.
He helped maintain the Waldheim Azalea Garden for 12 years, planting thousands and tending to thousands more azalea bushes. He also introduced flowering bushes here that no one had ever seen in these parts.
One reason for his expert knowledge of flowers is that Holland is a "flower world", whereas America is a "money world." That difference is quite pronounced, he has noted throughout his life, and he has taken advantage of it. He is planting seeds now that he has saved for over 60 years, quite a money saver, considering the cost of seeds nowadays.
His fondest memories include the time Holland decided to stay out of World War I, when the Queen voted for peace instead of war. He remembered when his mother sold the family farm and moved to a city, his six brothers and sisters, also when Louisiana Governor Leche used to come over and ride horses at the azalea garden on $10,000 saddles, and his first experience with American cigarettes which he smoked for a few years.
He is concerned about America now, saying that God will eventually punish the land if things keep going the way they are. "Things are getting worse and worse," he said. "I love this country with my whole heart. It's the best in the whole world."
His experiences include a visit to Angola state prison where he was able to turn two prisoners to Christianity by helping them study the Bible. "You've got to have the Lord in your heart," he said, summing up his life's philosophy. "Love means everything in the whole world."
He considers himself a lucky man, and volunteering the gardening work at the First Baptist Church is one way he fills his time now that he is retired. He has been married to his wife Elizabeth, for 53 years now, with one son, Ted, working for the highway department in Hammond and another son, Edgar, working as head of the Boston post office.
He came to the First Baptist Church in October of 1973, and one day last year he took a look at the church grounds and said "something has to be done." Since then, he has been doing something about it, much to the congregation's approval. Each Sunday the church empties after morning worship and churchgoers commend Willems for his expertise in gardening.
"It isn't bad for a Dutch boy, eh?" he chuckles.
St. Tammany Farmer August 28, 1975
Theodorus Willems and his seed
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Covington Resident Writes Hymn
In 1961 Covington resident Mrs. Steve Morgan wrote a hymn and it was published by a Dallas, TX, music company. Here's the article detailing her accomplishment in the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper edition of Jan. 27, 1961.
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Saturday, April 1, 2023
Lumberjacks Taking a Break
This old photograph show a group of hard-working lumberjacks in the Piney Woods taking a break from sawing trees down for a group portrait more than 100 years ago. Click on the image to make it larger.
See also:
With Sawmills Came Prosperity
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