Covington, LA on New Orleans' North Shore

The Courthouse and Tugy's

Even now that the fourth courthouse has been constructed, very few people realize that the structure housing the first one, built in 1818, still stands in the Claiborne Hill area, which was the parish seat. The walls of the original building are 18 inches thick. Located on the grounds is a cottage which, is believed to, predate the courthouse.

The Courthouse Annex on Boston Street was the grand old Southern Hotel, built in 1907. Covington Special Projects Coordinator Jan Roberts hopes to see it become an inn when the new courthouse opens. Former Mayor Villere notes that Tugy's, first opened in the hotel by Mr. Tugenhaft, is probably the only bar in a courthouse building in the United States! Only in Louisiana!



reference: Covington: Living History & Covington's Founding Families by Ann Gilbert

H.J. Smith's Son General Store & Museum
308 N. Columbia St.
Covington, LA 70433
985-892-0460

The museum displays items from 1870-early 1900s.

Walk up the wooden steps at H. J. Smith's Sons Hardware store on Columbia Street in Covington and meet the fifth generation of Smiths to work in the business, founded in 1875.

In his museum next to the hardware store, "Red" Smith will show you 1910 receipts for wagon wheels and farm implements delivered by schooners, which docked at the foot of Columbia Street. The displayed items really let you see how the people of Covington worked and played from the turn of the century to the 1960's.

The museum is a real treat for anyone who grew up on a farm. My brother and I toured it one Saturday and we were so enthralled that they had to almost chase us out so they could close the store. At every turn we saw farm equipment and gadgets that we remembered from our childhood on the farm. I don't know how many times my brother said, "Dad had one of those and I rescued it and have it at the house."

Even the lighting in the museum is authentic, with the original single line wire and insulators running to a single bulb drop down every few feet. But the Smiths use the new energy efficient bulbs instead of the clear bulbs of yesteryear.

The store itself is interesting. All the well made old-fashioned items like hurricane lamps, match box holders, wrought iron hooks, little red wagons and more are available for purchase. It's a fun place to window shop or to while away a lazy afternoon.

If you are an amateur naturalist or a nature photographer, then you must visit Lake Ramsey Preserve in the spring or the fall. Many rare wildflowers are growing on this preserve. Here are a few of the many gorgeous native plants and wildflowers that you will see while walking the well marked trails.

Location:
Horse Branch Road
Covington, LA 70435
985-809-1414
The Nature Conservency Website

Directions: Take Exit 63 (US Highway 190) north for 5 miles. Turn west on Highway 190 north of Covington at the intersection with Highway 25. Go west on Highway 190 for 2 miles to Penn Mill Road (1/2 mile west of Covington High School) and turn north. Go 2 miles to the Horse Branch Creek Trailhead parking lot.

Size: Approximately 414 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Open during daylight hours. A trail system allows visitors to view this unique habitat. A trailhead parking lot is located north of Covington on Horse Branch Road. The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult. There are no restroom facilities available on site.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This site was selected by The Nature Conservancy in order to preserve the last remaining pine savanna habitats in the Florida Parishes. These savannas are known for their diversity, including several carnivorous plants, numerous rare plant species and a spectacular variety of orchids.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana is restoring the savanna by removing certain flora with an aggressive prescribed burning program and planting longleaf pine. This site is being cooperatively managed with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which owns the adjacent 796-acre Lake Ramsey Wildlife Management Area.

Please visit our Naturally Native Creations Gallery to see more designs.

Usually Scheduled in Mid November
November 13th & 14th, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at Columbia Street, Covington, LA

A FREE fine arts festival with activities for the entire family showcasing artists from all over the country. Event includes a children's discovery area, live music, local cuisine, student art exhibition and 5K Race.

With 160 artists from more than 22 states. A juried show of original works. Tent after colorful tent ranged along the streets of historic downtown Covington, Louisiana. Arts and crafts demonstrations. Music. Food. And lots of activities just for kids.

The Covington Three Rivers Art Festival. Where the fun starts with art and goes on for two wonderful days. Free admission! Find more Information about the festival here.

St Joseph Abbey & Seminary Clg
75376 River Rd
Covington, LA 70435-7622
(985) 892-1800

Saint Joseph Abbey is located on a 1,200-acre site four miles north of Covington, La. At the Christian Life Center, the monks extend their hospitality to groups who seek the peace and solitude of a monastic setting to develop their spirituality. The surrounding grounds and pine forests offer each retreat participant opportunities for quiet and reflective leisure.
Retreats have been hosted at the Christian Life Center for the past 40 years and now offer group league retreats for Men, Women or Married Couples, plus bookings are available for diocesan, corporate, the arts, as well as programs sponsored by churches of differing faiths.

One of the most-loved activities is simply touring the abbey grounds and buildings. Self-guided tours are permitted for groups of 10 or less; larger groups are asked to make reservations. One of the highlights of a tour is the artwork of Dom Gregory de Wit, a Belgian monk who painted beautiful murals on the monastery refectory's ceiling, in the church and in the dining hall in the years between 1945 and 1955. Most talked about is the spectacular mural in the dining hall of the Last Supper-a must-see on the tour.

Unfortunately, the breathtaking murals received some damage from Hurricane Katrina. They are scheduled for repair, however, and tours do still include a viewing of the artwork. A stop at the Abbey Gift Shop offers visitors a wide selection of artwork, books and devotional items.

(references: St. Joseph's Abbey and St. Joseph Abbey by Judi Russell)
Links to information about St. Joseph's Abbey and Dom Gregory de Wit:
Refectory at St. Joseph Abbey
Did you know?
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders

Maria Warner, wife of J. H. Warner, who has been the resident of the property where the "Vine Cottage" is located since 1934, says that this unique and charming structure was built by a Covington lumberman in the 1920's. It is called Vine Cottage, but it was actually constructed from the heart of pine knots and branches that were left over from the original owner's logging ventures. It was designed to be an interesting entry way for pedestrians during a time when most people walked rather than rode in cars when visiting. It is located on West 21st Street in Covington. Just another beautiful part of the interesting history of Covington. It's there, you just have to slow down to appreciate it.

Buy from Naturally Native Creations

26389 Hwy. 40
Folsom, LA 70437
985-796-3585
Global Wildlife Website

Fun for the whole family and educational, too. Be sure to bring your camera as you get ready for a wild adventure at the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve in the country! The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana is home to over 3,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.

Both children and adults will enjoy the 1 1/2 hour guided Safari Wagon tour over 900 acres of beautiful Louisiana countryside complete with 12 ponds and a lake. During the tour you'll come face to face with bison, giraffe, zebra, camels, eland, and much more!

Directions: Global Wildlife Center is located off of I-12 between Hammond and Madisonville.Take I-12 to the Robert Exit #47. From the Exit, turn right on Hwy. 445. Go North for approximately 10 1/2 miles and turn right on Hwy. 40 East. The Global Wildlife entrance is 1 1/2 miles on the left. From Covington, travel north on Hwy. 25 to the town of Folsom. Take a left on Hwy. 40 and travel West for six miles. Global Wildlife is located on the right hand side.