Historical Markers in
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

1862 Train Wreck Blythewood Plantation Camp Moore Camp Moore Camp Moore #1 Camp Moore #2 Camp Moore #3 Camp Moore #4 Camp Moore #5 Camp Moore #6 Camp Moore Confederate Cemetery Camp Moore Confederate Soldiers Memorial Church of the Incarnation City Of Hammond Friendship Circle Grace Memorial Episcopal Church Hammond Junior College Independence Loranger High School Mt. Vernon Walnut Pass Manchac Peter Hammond PFC Raymond "Mike" Clausen, Jr. Ponchatoula Depot Roncal Site of 1st Classroom Bldg. Tangipahoa The Republic of West Florida Thirty-First Parallel USS Ponchatoula Memorial
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To me, New Orleans is like a beautiful woman with a dirty face.
Tom Bugarin in Red River to Redwoods: Take a trip to Louisiana
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, has a rich and fascinating history that traces back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Houma. European exploration began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passing through the region in 1541.

The land that would become Tangipahoa Parish was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, bringing it under the control of the United States. Settlement of the area increased in the early 19th century, with pioneers establishing farms and plantations along the Tangipahoa River. The region grew as a hub for agriculture, particularly in the production of timber, cotton, and sugar cane.

During the American Civil War, Tangipahoa Parish was heavily impacted by the conflict. It changed hands multiple times, with both Union and Confederate forces occupying the area at various points. The war brought significant destruction and hardship to the region, but after its conclusion, Tangipahoa Parish experienced a period of growth and recovery.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development of railroads played a significant role in the parish's growth. The expansion of transportation networks allowed for better access to markets and contributed to the establishment of new industries. Today, Tangipahoa Parish remains an important center for agriculture, with a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, education, healthcare, and tourism.

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

  • Tangipahoa Parish was established in 1869, after Louisiana was readmitted to the Union following the Civil War.
  • The area of Tangipahoa Parish was originally inhabited by indigenous Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Houma tribes.
  • French explorers arrived in the early 18th century, followed by Spanish settlers and eventually American settlers in the 19th century.
  • Tangipahoa Parish played a significant role in the timber industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with logging and lumber mills being major economic drivers.
  • In the early 20th century, Tangipahoa Parish saw growth in agriculture, particularly in the production of strawberries, peaches, pecans, and livestock.
  • In the mid-20th century, the completion of the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River brought increased connectivity and development to Tangipahoa Parish.
  • During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, Tangipahoa Parish, like many other places in the United States, experienced racial tensions and struggles for equal rights.
  • In 2005, Hurricane Katrina severely impacted Tangipahoa Parish, causing extensive damage and displacing many residents.
  • Today, Tangipahoa Parish is a thriving community with a diverse economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and tourism.