Hammond and Nearby Ponchatoula
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Hammond, Louisiana is located at the junction of I-12 and I-55, and along U.S. Highways 190 and 51. Strategically positioned only 45 miles from Baton Rouge to the east, and New Orleans to the south, Hammond is an important element of the East Louisiana infrastructure.
The parish seat of Tangipahoa Parish, the City of Hammond is located near Ponchatoula, Springfield, Natalbany, Tickfaw, Independence, Amite City and Madisonville.
Hammond has been an important part of the Lake Pontchartrain north shore area since 1830 when Peter Hammond settled land 55 miles outside of his home in New Orleans.
The city of Hammond was later named for him. In 1854, the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad (Illinois Central) came through the area and helped accelerate Hammond as a commercial and transport center.
In addition to highways, Hammond, situated on the Illinois Central line between New Orleans and Chicago, is also a local Amtrak passenger train stop. The well known "City of New Orleans" passenger train, famous for the song of that name written by Steve Goodman and sung by Arlo Gurhrie, made frequent stops in Hammond!
The Hammond area features a wide variety of hotels, motels, inns, suites and other lodging. Here are some hotel properties to review and consider:
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Vacation Home Rentals in HammondPlanning a trip to Hammond, Ponchatoula, or New Orleans and need a vacation rental?
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A Vibrant Place to Live, Work & Visit
Hammond's close proximity to New Orleans and Baton Rouge have made the area one of the fastest growing cities in Louisiana. Today, it is home to about 20,000 residents.
 Photo courtesy of Southeastern Louisiana University |
In recent years there has been much new residential, and commercial, growth and development, including hotels and motels which also serve the New Orleans area during major events such as Mardi Gras, the Super Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Final Four Tournaments.
Hammond is the home of Southeastern Louisiana University, a well respected and rapidly growing institution of higher education with an enrollment of about 15,000 students from across the U.S. and many foreign countries. It is Louisiana's third-largest public university, boasting more than 150 programs of study. Southeastern offers 16 NCAA Division I athletic programs, all of which compete in the Southland Conference, with the mascot being the "Lions".
The city is also home to Northshore Technical Community College.
Both the southbound and northbound daily "City of New Orleans" Amtrak trains have afternoon stops in Hammond. About 15,000 passengers use the station every year.
Hammond Northshore Regional Airport (HDC) is located three miles northeast of the Hammond central business district. With dual lighted runways measuring 6500×100 and 5001×150, the airport is fully equipped to handle large aircraft. The airfield spans over 900 acres and is open to general, corporate, and military aircraft.
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This area features a number of attractions for both local residents and tourists as well.
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Regional attractions include:
- Global Wildlife Center in Folson
- Louisiana Children's Discovery Center in Hammond
- Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Musem
- Kliebert & Sons Gator Tours in Ponchatoula
- Louisiana Furniture and Art Gallery in Ponchatoula
- Amato's Winery in Independence
- Amite Chamber of Commerce and Museum
- Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum
- Joyce Wildlife Management Area
- Southern Swamp Byway
Hammond Historic District
The Hammond Historic District has been the life vein of downtown Hammond since 1981, allowing for federal and state funding and programs like the Downtown Development District (DDD) to thrive.
The majority of the city's oldest buildings are located in the downtown area. Preservation of these historic areas is essential to Hammond's overall quality of life and is embodied in the Mission Statement of the Hammond Historic District. The downtown provides a center for continually expanding boundaries that provide a visual link with the past and a unique character that cannot be duplicated by new construction.
The Hammond Historic District Commission (HHDC) is a citizens' commission whose seven members have experience in history, design, architecture, or education. The Commission reviews plans for work within the historic district and sees that new proposals are consistent with the Historic and Architectural Design Guidelines.
The Commission also provides advice and consultation regarding renovation, restoration, and new signage to safeguard the district's character and historic integrity.The Hammond Historic District has an interactive walking tour with 20 stops, and partners with the DDD to host annual events.
For more information about the District, its projects, maps and walking tours, visit the website of the Hammond Historic District or phone 985.277.5684
A Popular Area Attraction: Swamp Tours
Visitors to Louisiana often experience the Bayou State firsthand, by touring the swamps!
The lush growth in a Louisiana swamp is indescribable. You have to see it to believe it.
The most impressive objects in the swamp are the cypress trees which are very graceful in their structure, with their reddish bark, exquisitely bent branches, and delicately fine leaves.
In the greater New Orleans area near Hammond, there are many swamp tour options in communities such as Marrero, Westwego, Braithwaite, Lafitte, Des Allemands and Laplace.
Others swamp tours originate in South Louisiana cities such as Breaux Bridge, Henderson, Slidell, Houma and Thibodaux.
Read more about swamp tours in South Louisiana.
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Nearby Ponchatoula
Nearby Ponchatoula was established as a logging camp in 1820, and incorporated as a town on February 12, 1861. William Akers was the city's first mayor, and is credited with founding the town, establishing it on land he purchased from the federal government in 1832. The Indian name Ponchatoula means "flowing hair".
Ponchatoula is the "Strawberry Capital of the World" and the home to over 5,000 residents.
The city is known for its delicious strawberries which begin to be available in January of each year. The area has become a center for growing, processing, and shipping strawberries nationwide. In addition, the city has maintained and preserved a large historic district in the downtown area. It is also an antique haven, and visitors come from far and wide to shop Ponchatoula's antique stores.
The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is held in mid-April each year.
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The story of alligator hunting in Louisiana is being told on the TV series "Swamp People" on the History Channel. Swamp People debuted in August of 2010, and has become a runaway hit ever since.
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The History Channel debuted Season 15 of Swamp People on January 4, 2024, at 8/7C, with Episode 1, entitled “Cruel Summer.”
Various segments of "Swamp People" are filmed around South Louisiana, including those near Hammond and Ponchatoula, Bayou Sorrel, Pecan Island, Bayou Pigeon, Pierre part, Morgan City, Houma and other locales.
Several of the alligator hunters have become celebrities, including Troy and Jacob Landry, Elizabeth Cavalier Choate, Bruce Mitchell, Junior Edwards, and others. Bruce Mitchell hails from Ponchatoula, and has become a star and cult hero on Swamp People along with his dog Tyler. A lifelong swamper, Bruce is a bit of a renegade, but an experienced gator hunter. He hunts in the swamps around his home in the Ponchatoula area.
For more information, visit ...
Hammond Louisiana Images of the Past
U.S. Post Office Hammond, Louisiana |
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A Country Home near Hammond, Louisiana |
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City Hall Hammond, Louisiana |
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The Oaks Hotel Hammond, Louisiana |
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