The
Covington Heritage Foundation offered a guided tour of the 200 block
of North New Hampshire Street on Sunday, October 3, 2021, between 4
p.m. and 6 p.m. The event was the latest in the group's "History and
Mystery" events showcasing individual blocks in downtown Covington.
The
history of the buildings and businesses (and the individual
personalities that made them a success) were featured, with several
knowledgeable people on hand to share their memories.
Click on the following images to make them larger.
Louis
Ross Jr. entertained the crowd with his stories of Citizens Bank and
Trust Co., as well as other financial institutions along New Hampshire
Street, "Covington's Wall Street."
A picture of Citizen's Bank in the 1970's
Mayor Mark Johnson detailed the history of the Majestic Theater building, now a church.
After
the group heard the Majestic Theater talk, they were taken inside and
shown a segment of the wall and ceiling artwork painted by C.S. A.
Fuhrmann, the Covington theater showman who built and ran the Majestic
as well as other theaters in the area.
Memories of the teen age club Harvey House were shared by Kay Morse, left, and Diane Kramer, right.
The
story of the corner of New Hampshire and Boston Sts was told, from the
time when it was a Ford dealership, a drug store, a florist and now a
restaurant. Councilman Mark Verrett served as the presenter.
The Wehrli House
In
1974 Citizens Bank announced that it would give the Wehrli House, shown
above, to any non-profit organization which would remove it from its
location in-between Hebert's Drugs and the bank in the 200 block of
North New Hampshire. If no one agreed to move it, then it would be
dismantled.
The structure at that time was 110 years old, meaning
it was built in 1864, according to local records. The bank wanted to
use the location occupied by the house as a parking lot and drive
through window facility.
Dr. Howard Nichols, president of the St.
Tammany Parish Historical Society, reported that the society itself had
considered moving the house which could then be used as a headquarters
for the group, as well as a museum. The project was beyond the resources
of the society, however, as determined by the board of directors. The
group did pass a resolution to the City of Covington recommending that
the city move the structure back onto the ox lot directly behind it so
it could be stored until moved somewhere else.
Either that, or
it could be set up permanently in the ox lot and used as a tourist
attraction, the historical society suggested. It was hoped the project
would capture the interest of the local committee planning a celebration
of the American Bicentennial in 1976, Dr. Nichols stated.
No one stepped up to take advantage of the bank's offer, however, and the building was dismantled shortly afterwards.
A 1970's pen and ink sketch of the Wherli House by Artist Winky Chesnutt.
Jan Gardner and Debbie Mendow
The Majestic Theater
This
building later became a branch location of Commercial Bank,and then
served as the land records office for the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of
Court's office
A 1970's view of the street, looking northward
Kentzel Printers, one of Covington's oldest businesses
The old St. Tammany Homestead Association office
Now the location of Sarabeth T. Bradley Law Offices
Toad Hollow Cafe site in 1997 (when it was The Gourmet Beignet)
Toad Hollow Cafe Today
Toad Hollow was once the location of Hazel Ogden Photo Studio
Corner N. New Hampshire and Rutland St.
Jewel's Cigar and Briar Shop
Jewel's Cigar and Briar Shop was once the location of the Martindale Home.
The Rodrigue law office was at one time the location of the city's first telephone exchange.
A remnant of the Harvey House decor
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