Abita Springs Louisiana Attractions and History
Historic District is Preserving Southeast Louisiana Heritage
Apr 8, 2009
Its officials like to say that Abita Springs, located north of Lake Pontchartrain about 40 miles above New Orleans, has about 2500 residents, "all sharing one traffic light." However, the town shares that light with many visiting bicyclists, artists, beer lovers, historians, golfers and folks just coming in to enjoy the museums, old buildings, trails and century-old trees.
Civic leaders and public officials long ago realized the importance of preserving Abita’s heritage and established an historic district in the 1970s. Consequently, the town is dotted with century old buildings. Its museums feature relics of the several eras that Abita Springs has experienced in the past three centuries. Local archaeologists say Indians lived in the area 9,000 years ago and artifacts over 2,000 years old have been found within the town limits.
Abita Springs Trailhead Museum
According to the town website and exhibits in the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, Mississippi Choctaw Indians migrated to the area early in the 18th Century, attracted by the mild climate and the pure water that sprang from the ground. They called the spring "Ibetab Okla Chitto," which translated to "large settlement by the fountain." White settlers later anglicized "Ibetab" to Abita.
The Choctaws built latiniers (palmetto houses) along the Abita River and near the springs. They reportedly helped the white settlers who came in later.
French immigrants moved from New Orleans to Abita Springs in the 1700s and were later followed by New Orleans anglosaxons.
Orleanians Escaping Yellow Fever
In 1853 Joseph Bossier obtained a land grant in the area and constructed a saw mill, encouraging the growth of an aggressive logging industry among the tall pine forests. He later built the town’s first hotel to serve the growing number of Orleanians visiting to escape Yellow Fever or just to enjoy the spring waters and milder temperatures north of Lake Pontchartrain.
They traveled by steamship to nearby Covington, then on to Abita Springs by surrey or tallyho, a type of sightseeing carriage. Later, steamships sailed from New Orleans to Mandeville, on the north shore of the lake, and the Orleanians went on to Abita Springs by electric trolley
In 1887 the East Louisiana Railroad began carrying visitors directly to Abita Springs with nine-car trains that could carry 450 passengers. Soon the town had four hotels able to house 500 guests.
New Orleans Cotton Exposition Pavilion
In 1888, John Poitevent and a partner purchased a two-story octagonal pavilion that had been used at the 1884 New Orleans Cotton Exposition. They moved it to Abita Springs, where it was erected over the spring in the middle of town.
The area enjoyed a tourist boom for three decades, finally slowing down early in the 20th Century. Eventually, the boats and trains stopped running as more people could drive cars to numerous destinations. Air conditioning encouraged more Orleanians to stay home.
Former Mayor Bryan Gowland
Former Mayor Bryan Gowland recalled tales of people coming from New Orleans to get jugs of the town's spring water. "Doctors would prescribe the water and it became a health cure for respiratory problems or yellow fever," Gowland said.
The town’s original spring closed down, but spring water is still available from a lion head fountain in the town park.
In recent years, however, Abita Springs has rebuilt its tourism business around bicyling, golf, country music, craft brewery tours, and relics of past eras.
The town logo still shows an Indian drinking from the springs. It says "where nature performs miracles."
References:
- "Water Fest Makes Splash in Abita," by Geriease Smith, The Times-Picayune, 10-13-94
- Kimberly Byrd, Council Clerk, Town of Abita Springs, 4-6-09
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