We celebrated 150 years of our history in 2019. Learn more about the history of Tangipahoa Parish from the videos and information below!

150th Anniversary Tangipahoa Documentary

In 2019, Tangipahoa Parish marked its 150th anniversary with a year-long celebration to honor our proud past, recognize our significant milestones along the way, and envision our promising future. To commemorate this celebration, Tangi Tourism worked with local filmmaker Paul Catalanotto to create an eight-part series on our history. This documentary features some of our parish’s greatest storytellers, including Dr. Sam Hyde and retired lecturers Howard Nichols and Vic Couvillion from Southeastern Louisiana University as well as local leaders and archival footage of several leaders from Tangi’s recent past.
At the background, sketch of Indian and colonialists. With texts "Part 1: Colonialism" and "Watch Now."
At the background, sketch of warring people in a forest. With texts "Part 2: From the Railroad to War" and "Watch Now."
At the background, old image of a corner store. With texts "Part 3: Reconstruction and the Birth of Tangipahoa" and "Watch Now."
At the background, old image of farmers. With texts "Part 4: Bloody Tangipahoa" and "Watch Now."
Image of an area with buildings and trees at the background. With texts "Part 5: Strawberries" and "Watch Now."
Image of a school campus at the background. With texts "Part 6: Southeastern Louisiana University" and "Watch Now."
Image of a newspaper print section at the background. With texts "Part 7: The First Parish President" and "Watch Now."
Image of a road construction in the background. With texts "Part 8: Leadership" and "Watch Now."

FUN FACT

The name Tangipahoa is part of our rich Indian heritage. The meaning is associated with “corn” which was, and is, grown here in abundance.
Tangipahoa is one of the eight Florida Parishes in southeast Louisiana which were part of West Florida in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Read below to see how Tangipahoa Parish came into existence.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY...

1763
Great Britain established West and East Florida out of land taken from France and Spain after the French and Indian War.
1763
1781
Spain invaded West Florida and both Floridas were ceded to Spain from Britain after the American Revolutionary War.
1781
1803
The Louisiana Purchase was made. The region of West Florida was arguably not included in this territory acquisition.
1803
1810
West Florida west of the Perdido River declared an independent Republic of West Florida, and four parishes were established in the region. Within months, it was annexed by the United States.
1810
1812
The present-day Florida Parishes were incorporated into the Territory of Orleans, which joined the Union as the State of Louisiana.
1812
1810-1832
East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Livingston, and Washington Parishes were created.
1810-1832
1852-1853
New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad was built during this time.
1852-1853
1852-1853
New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad was built during this time.
1852-1853
1861
Amite was incorporated.
1861
1866
The village of Tangipahoa was incorporated
1866
1869-1870
Tangipahoa Parish was established from parts of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes. It was divided into 8 wards where the governing authority of the parish was the police jury.
1869-1870
1912
Independence was incorporated.
1912
1957
Tickfaw was incorporated.
1957
1986
Gordon A. Burgess was the first elected parish president. He was elected to an initial one-year term and re-elected the following year for a four-year term. Burgess was repeatedly re-elected as parish president until he retired in 2015.
1986
2016
Robert "Robby" Miller was elected. In April 2016, the Parish hired its first chief administrative officer, Shelby "Joe" Thomas, JR., to handle operating functions.
2016

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY...

Infographic of a timeline depicting Tangipahoa Parish's history

2

CITIES

HAMMOND (CHARTERED 1818)
PONCHATOULA (INCORPORATED 1820)

4

TOWNS

AMITE CITY – PARISH SEAT (INCORPORATED IN 1861)
INDEPENDENCE (ESTABLISHED IN 1912)
KENTWOOD (FOUNDED IN 1893)
ROSELAND (INCORPORATED IN 1738)

2

VILLAGES

TANGIPAHOA
TICKFAW (FOUNDED IN 1852)

CITIES

HAMMOND (CHARTERED 1818)
PONCHATOULA (INCORPORATED 1820)

TOWNS

AMITE CITY – PARISH SEAT (INCORPORATED IN 1861)
INDEPENDENCE (ESTABLISHED IN 1912)
KENTWOOD (FOUNDED IN 1893)
ROSELAND (INCORPORATED IN 1738)

VILLAGES

TANGIPAHOA
TICKFAW (FOUNDED IN 1852)

What Makes Tangi Great

Tangipahoa Parish will mark its 150th Anniversary with a year-long celebration, to honor our proud past, recognize the milestones that made significant impact along the way, and reflect our promising future.

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