The Northshore Defined

Louisiana is blessed with a unique blend of cultures. Its rich ethnic mixture includes descendants of the state’s original Native American inhabitants and those of settlers who were French, Spanish, English, German, West Indian, African, Irish or Italian. The state’s food, music, architecture and festive celebrations pay tribute to this great diversity.

The southeastern area of the state known as the northshore, along the northern edge of Lake Pontchartrain within an hour’s drive from New Orleans, is composed of St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. Long before the Europeans came to the area, the vibrant Native American Tchefuncte Culture thrived in what was an ideal location of rich forests and accessible waterways on l’autre côté du lac—the other side of the lake. Their descendants were to meet the Europeans when they came. European presence on the northshore began in 1699, when Pierre LeMoyne, Sieur d’Iberville, came ashore near Lacombe. The northshore area was included in the region known as the Florida Parishes, which was under the jurisdiction of the British and Spanish before declaring its independence in 1810. After the new republic was annexed by the United States, the three northshore parishes were among those formed from the former republic.

Although settlers began arriving on the northshore as early as 1725, migration from the southshore accelerated in the early nineteenth century and has continued to this day. New Orleanians flocked to the northshore for fresh air, spring water and a resort lifestyle. The “other side of the lake” flourished, especially in the heat of summer; hotels, inns and restaurants promoted the health benefits. Steamboats and the railroads brought visitors who often stayed for long periods of time. Some southshore families built summer homes.

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and Interstate 12 made it more realistic for people to live on the northshore and work on the southshore, and new subdivisions and shopping centers were developed to accommodate the influx. The continued population growth and the accompanying commercial and industrial development brought prosperity and also the accompanying challenges.

Offering a distinctive combination of cosmopolitan sophistication and country charm that reflects the state’s diversity, northshore cities, towns and villages have much to offer residents and visitors alike. Northshore residents enjoy living close enough to New Orleans to work or visit— but far enough away to delight in the benefits of a close-knit community with family-oriented activities, quality education and strong leadership in local government. That quality of life may be because residents, both old and new, value and strive to preserve the unique qualities that have attracted people to the northshore from the time of the Tchefuncte to today.

Here you will find magnificent homes in wellplanned subdivisions, as well as sweeping country estates tucked privately among rolling hills and winding rivers.

When it comes to outdoor recreation, you can enjoy the region’s natural beauty by sailing, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking. Beautiful state parks and area wildlife refuges provide a haven for spectacular native wildlife.

Discover the northshore and experience the best that Louisiana has to offer—North of Your Expectations!

ST. TAMMANY PARISH

St. Tammany is one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana. What makes St. Tammany such a desirable location? Its proximity to New Orleans, transportation accessibility, low business costs, availability of labor, strong school system, low crime rate and first-rate medical facilities are just some of the many reasons for the area’s rapid development.

St. Tammany’s thick pine forests, scenic rivers, lakes and cypress swamps create an outdoor playground. Approximately 77,000 acres, or 14 percent of the parish’s total land area, are designated as public land, with two state parks, two national wildlife refuges and a wildlife management area. The Tammany Trace offers a 31-mile recreational corridor for pedestrians, bicycles, equestrians, rollerbladers and joggers.

The St. Tammany Parish Public School System is a leader in the state. Six schools have been designated National Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Students continue to exceed the national average on the American College Test.

St. Tammany Parish offers many public and private medical facilities that provide a wide array of services, state-of-the-art equipment, qualified personnel and specialized medical practitioners. There are three public hospitals and a variety of private medical providers. In addition, the parish has numerous resources focused on its senior residents. St. Tammany’s estimated population for 2020 was 264,570 and is continuing to grow.

Parish residents celebrate a wide variety of events throughout the year, including Mardi Gras, Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival, Covington Three Rivers Art Festival, Slidell Antique District Street Fair and the St. Tammany Parish Fair.

ABITA SPRINGS. A popular retreat from New Orleans during the nineteenth century, this historic town has once again become a relaxing getaway from big-city living. Known for its legendary spring water, Abita Springs was originally founded as a Choctaw Indian village. Well-known attractions include the Abita Springs Opry and the Abita Brewery.

COVINGTON. In 1813, John Wharton Collins laid out a town above the confluence of the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya rivers. With the coming of the steamboat and the railroad, Covington, the center of St. Tammany Parish government, has historically served as a hub for commerce to and from New Orleans. Decades-old oaks line many streets in this picturesque southern Louisiana community; a charming downtown district features excellent restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and boutiques.

FOLSOM. Located amidst rolling hills, horse farms and plant nurseries, the village of Folsom offers peaceful country living. Rambling country estates, farms and ranches situated on beautiful rivers and streams make St. Tammany’s northernmost community a highly desirable destination.

LACOMBE. Rich in Native American history, this small town was home to the Choctaw and Colapissa Indian tribes. Strategically located on one of south Louisiana’s most scenic bayous, Lacombe is the home of the popular Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. MADISONVILLE. Named after President James Madison, this historic community grew up along the banks of the Tchefuncte River. Best known for its annual Wooden Boat Festival, the small community is host to the largest gathering of antique classic and contemporary wooden boats on the Gulf Coast.

MANDEVILLE. In 1829, New Orleans planter and politician Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville bought Bonnabel Plantation on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and named it “Fontainebleau.” The site is now Fontainebleau State Park. By 1834, he began subdividing the land, and in three days, he sold 388 lots at auction in New Orleans. The migration continued through the years as steamers brought New Orleanians to the northshore to escape the heat and disease of the city. Later, automobiles made the trip to reach “the jewel on the lake.” The sleepy, summer resort has become a thriving, energetic city. Connected to New Orleans by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Mandeville’s historic lakefront provides a magnificent setting for elaborate homes and excellent restaurants.

SLIDELL. In the early 1880s, the building camp established for construction of The New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad grew rapidly. Frederick Erlanger, who helped finance the railroad, named the settlement for his deceased father-in-law, John Slidell. Slidell was chartered in 1888. Now, as a crossroads of three interstate highways, a railroad and navigable bayous, Slidell is the most populous town in St. Tammany Parish. Slidell offers some of the best natural attractions and most beautiful scenery in southeast Louisiana. The Honey Island Swamp, considered one of America’s most pristine river estuary environments, encompasses St. Tammany’s eastern border. Slidell’s Olde Towne historic district offers a plethora of antique shops, art galleries and restaurants.

For information, contact the St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission at (800) 634-9443 or louisiananorthshore.com, St. Tammany Corporation at (985) 809-7874 or stpdd.org, or St. Tammany Parish Government at (985) 898-2700 or stpgov.org.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH

What started as a small economy rich in agricultural history, the Hammond Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Tangipahoa Parish, is now designated as the second-fastestgrowing MSA in the state of Louisiana. The parish is known for being open for business, and it is easy to do business here.

Located at the intersection of two major interstates, I-12 and I-55, Tangipahoa is just one hour from New Orleans and Baton Rouge and a short distance from the Gulf Coast, so residents can quickly travel to these destinations for business or fun. Private, corporate and government aircraft take advantage of the Hammond Northshore Regional Airport. The Canadian National Main Line provides freight services, and Amtrak’s passenger train service operates daily with north and south travel as well as connecting services east and west. >>

The Tangipahoa Parish Public School System educates over 19,000 students, providing strong instructional leadership in a safe and orderly environment. Since its founding in 1925, Southeastern Louisiana University has made fundamental contributions to the northshore region. With nearly 15,000 students and over 152 areas of study, it is the third largest institution in the state, ranking #1 in Louisiana’s public health education and promotion programs. In the nation, Southeastern ranks in the top 23 for supply management programs and #19 in occupational, safety, health and environmental programs. Northshore Technical Community College provides essential career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as partnerships among school systems, community colleges and universities to advance a critical pipeline of talent that supports our local and regional industry partners.

Tangipahoa Parish offers more fairs, festivals, social and cultural events than any other parish in the state. Over a half a million residents and visitors each year enjoy events such as the Louisiana Renaissance Festival and the Antique Trade Days and Vintage Market Days of Southeast Louisiana. Events such as the Tangipahoa Parish Free Fair, Tickfaw Italian Festival, Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival and Amite Oyster Festival allow us to remember where we came from and celebrate moving forward.

The Southeastern Columbia Theatre welcomes national and international talent, and culture and art are celebrated at the Hammond Regional Arts Center and the African-American Heritage Museum. Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium and other campus athletic venues, Chappapeela Sports Park and Ponchatoula Area Recreation District are home to countless year-round, family-friendly sporting events.

AMITE. Known for its oyster industry, Amite celebrates the mighty mollusk with an oyster festival each spring. The town is home to the Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds and hosts the parish’s annual fair featuring agricultural events, crafts, entertainment and a rodeo.

INDEPENDENCE. The “Little Italy of Louisiana” celebrates its local Italian heritage and culture with the Independence Sicilian Festival featuring fine cuisine, arts and entertainment. Independence is also home to Amato’s Winery, a familyowned business specializing in dry, semi-sweet and sweet strawberry wine made from local strawberries.

HAMMOND. In 1818, Swedish immigrant Peter Hammond began the settlement that would bear his name and become the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish. The arrival of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad in 1854 brought many new people to the area. After the Civil War, early entrepreneur Charles Emery Cate and other residents laid out the streets and lined them with oak trees. The city was chartered in 1889, and the downtown became a shipping center for the timber and strawberry industries. Today, the combination of highway-rail-air-sea transportation has made Hammond into a transportation/ distribution capital. The city enjoys a re-invigorated historic downtown and is home to Southeastern Louisiana University.

PONCHATOULA. Known as “America’s Antique City,” Ponchatoula is a shopper’s paradise with quaint antique shops and restaurants lining the streets. The annual Strawberry Festival draws countless visitors >> every April to celebrate Tangipahoa’s celebrated crop.

For more information, contact Tangipahoa Parish Government at (985) 748-3211 or tangipahoa.org, Tangipahoa Parish Economic Development at (985) 340-9028 or tedf.org, or Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 542-7520 or tangitourism.com.

WASHINGTON PARISH

Washington Parish, named in honor of the first president of the United States, is one of the state’s eight Florida Parishes, having been formed from a part of St. Tammany Parish in 1819.

The roughly 665 square miles of the parish is filled with rolling hills, dense pine forests, scenic waterways and rural back roads. The area’s bucolic lifestyle is reflected in the fact that half of the parish is utilized for agricultural purposes. A large portion of the remainder is devoted to the timber industry, both natural and planted.

Flowing between the hills of Washington Parish are the beautiful Bogue Chitto and Pearl rivers, which are surrounded by places of dramatic beauty that support a wealth of flora and fauna. Recreational opportunities are plentiful for outdoorsmen, including excellent hunting, fishing and camping.

Washington Parish stands out in the production of lumber and other wood products, with an enviable record in reforestation of cutover lands, as well as in the scientific manner in which its timber resources have been and are being harvested. 1906 marked the beginning of the lumber industry for the parish. The Great Southern Lumber Company became the largest pulp and paper mill in the world. The mill, now owned by International Paper, celebrated its 100th anniversary in January 2018.

BOGALUSA. Bogalusa, the only city in the parish, is the chief manufacturing and trading center of the fertile Pearl River valley. Its name is derived from the Indian-named creek “Bogue Lusa,” which flows through the city. Bogalusa is known as the “Magic City” because of its rapid construction in less than a year. Brothers Frank and Charles Goodyear founded the Great Southern Lumber Company in 1906 and located their sawmill in the town they built for its workers; the town was incorporated as a city on July 4, 1914. In September, the city hosts the annual Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival, which is known as one of the top music festivals in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast regions. The city’s Magic City Carnival Association’s 38-float Mardi Gras parade, started in 1981, attracts more than 50,000 parade watchers annually.

FRANKLINTON. Franklinton is a progressing rural town supported by enterprising farmers and a few industrial plants. Founded in 1819, Franklinton became the permanent parish seat in July 1826. The Washington Parish Free Fair, the largest free fair in the United States and the second-largest county fair in Louisiana, is held during the third week of October each year. On the fairgrounds is the historic Mile Branch Settlement, featuring pioneer log cabins dating back to 1850. Bogue Chitto State Park offers hiking, fishing, camping, boating and tubing.

For more information, contact the Washington Parish Tourism Commission at (985) 839-5228 or washingtonparishtourism.com, or Washington Parish Government at (985) 839-7825 or washingtonparishalerts.org.