National Register Listing

St. Scholastica Priory and Cemetery

20264 Terra Mariae Blvd., Covington, LA
Local significance of the district:
Education; Religion

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

education religion gravesites
Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana in 2005, was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm caused widespread destruction in New Orleans and other parts of the state, and its aftermath highlighted issues of poverty, race, and government response in the United States.
Louisiana random facts
St. Tammany Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history that spans over centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, including the Choctaw, Houma, and Chitimacha tribes. In the 17th century, French explorers began to settle in the region and establish relationships with the local tribes.

The area officially became known as "St. Tammany Parish" in 1810, named after the patron saint of the Choctaw tribe. During the 19th century, the parish experienced rapid growth with the arrival of European settlers, particularly from Germany and Ireland. The town of Covington, located in the heart of the parish, became a thriving center of commerce and trade.

St. Tammany Parish also played a significant role in the Civil War. It was occupied by Union forces early on during the conflict and saw skirmishes and battles throughout the war. After the war, the parish began to rebuild and diversify its economy, embracing agriculture, timber, and fishing as major industries.

In the 20th century, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the nearby Gulf of Mexico brought new economic opportunities to St. Tammany Parish. As a result, the population grew and the parish became a popular destination for tourism, offering numerous recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.

Today, St. Tammany Parish continues to thrive as a vibrant and dynamic community, blending its rich history with modern development. The area is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and community spirit, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1699 - St. Tammany Parish is included in the French colonial territory
  • 1763 - The area becomes part of British West Florida after the French and Indian War
  • 1800 - St. Tammany Parish is incorporated as one of the original parishes of the Louisiana Territory
  • 1812 - Louisiana becomes a state, and St. Tammany Parish is officially recognized as part of the state
  • 1819 - Covington is established as the parish seat
  • 1834 - St. Tammany Parish is divided to create Tangipahoa Parish
  • 1840s - St. Tammany Parish experiences rapid growth due to its proximity to New Orleans and the expansion of the railroad
  • 1888 - Mandeville is incorporated as a town
  • 1964 - Slidell becomes an incorporated city
  • 2005 - St. Tammany Parish is heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina, causing significant damage throughout the area
  • 2010 - St. Tammany Parish’s population reaches over 240,000, making it one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana