There’s a charming little town in St. Tammany Parish that has a fascinating history, and that’s Abita Springs. While its current claim to fame is being the home base for the iconic Abita beverages, it used to be a place to go to experience the healing properties that were thought to be contained within the nearby springs. Let’s take a closer look:
Long before Europeans settled here, Native Americans flourished in this area.
Rhonda Gary/Google The area was inhabited by many different tribes, and research suggests these tribes may have lived here as far back as 2,220 years ago. Choctaw was the prevalent tribe before European settlers forced them into Oklahoma.
Abita Springs was first settled in 1820, but it wasn’t incorporated until 1903.
Management/Trip Advisor The town continued to flourish with new immigrants and in 1887, a local doctor determined that the springs contained minerals that could be medically beneficial. Other doctors agreed, adding that the pure air was also healing, and it didn’t take long for word to spread.
Beginning in 1880, resorts and hotels began popping up.
Wikimedia Folks from New Orleans would take the train over to Abita Springs as a vacation destination. It wasn’t far, but it was certainly a change of scenery from the diseases in the city. At the time, Yellow Fever was making its way through the area, yet it wasn’t very common in Abita Springs, which helped the town prosper, with more folks coming to experience the healing powers of the town.
As automobiles became the preferred method of transportation, Abita Springs lost its appeal.
Abita Springs Trailhead Museum/Google It’s a fate that was very common in railroad towns in those days. Luckily, Abita Springs didn’t shrivel up, it continued chugging along, and today it is home to about 2,500 people. The train that once ran through town is now part of the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile rail trail that weaves through St. Tammany Parish.
Today, Abita Springs is a picturesque little town that’s perfect for a day trip.
Gio Garcia/Google Especially if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and slow things down a bit, just like they did 100 years ago. Except this time, you’ll have to drive over instead of taking the train.
From farmers’ markets to festivals, there’s always something to look forward to.
Erik Johansen/Google Check the town’s website to see the calendar of upcoming events.
Be sure to swing through the Abita Brew Pub, where you can eat a delicious burger and sample some of those famous beers.
Abita Brew Pub/Google This is actually the original location where Abita brewed beers! They moved to a larger facility to handle the increasing demand but kept the original building, and today it’s a lovely little restaurant and pub.
And of course, every town has a quirky side… Abita Springs’ quirky side is second to none.
Adnan Khalil/Google The Abita Mystery House is one of a kind, and you have to see it to believe it. This unique museum houses thousands and thousands of found objects, ranging from tiny figurines to massive flying saucers you can step inside.
Abita Springs is just one of many charming small towns in Louisiana that have a unique history and are perfect for a day trip. What’s your favorite small town in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments below!
Rhonda Gary/Google
The area was inhabited by many different tribes, and research suggests these tribes may have lived here as far back as 2,220 years ago. Choctaw was the prevalent tribe before European settlers forced them into Oklahoma.
Management/Trip Advisor
The town continued to flourish with new immigrants and in 1887, a local doctor determined that the springs contained minerals that could be medically beneficial. Other doctors agreed, adding that the pure air was also healing, and it didn’t take long for word to spread.
Wikimedia
Folks from New Orleans would take the train over to Abita Springs as a vacation destination. It wasn’t far, but it was certainly a change of scenery from the diseases in the city. At the time, Yellow Fever was making its way through the area, yet it wasn’t very common in Abita Springs, which helped the town prosper, with more folks coming to experience the healing powers of the town.
Abita Springs Trailhead Museum/Google
It’s a fate that was very common in railroad towns in those days. Luckily, Abita Springs didn’t shrivel up, it continued chugging along, and today it is home to about 2,500 people. The train that once ran through town is now part of the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile rail trail that weaves through St. Tammany Parish.
Gio Garcia/Google
Especially if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and slow things down a bit, just like they did 100 years ago. Except this time, you’ll have to drive over instead of taking the train.
Erik Johansen/Google
Check the town’s website to see the calendar of upcoming events.
Abita Brew Pub/Google
This is actually the original location where Abita brewed beers! They moved to a larger facility to handle the increasing demand but kept the original building, and today it’s a lovely little restaurant and pub.
Adnan Khalil/Google
The Abita Mystery House is one of a kind, and you have to see it to believe it. This unique museum houses thousands and thousands of found objects, ranging from tiny figurines to massive flying saucers you can step inside.
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Address: Abita Springs, LA 70420, USA
