If you spend any time standing on the sidewalk at the intersection of Thomas Street (U.S. Highway 190) and Railroad Avenue (Business U.S. Highway. 51)—in the middle of downtown Hammond—the first thing you’ll notice is the amount of cars and trucks that drive by. And yet, you’ll contrast the flow of people and traffic with the scene of beautiful tree-lined sidewalks, historic buildings of all shapes and sizes, and community pride spelled out in all the window signs supporting our beloved hometown teams (including a major state university), cultural event advertisements, and endless variety of locally-owned shops and restaurants. In short, Hammond’s pride and unique character are found in the dedication of the people who care for, and contribute to, our businesses, culture and history. They are what create this eclectic mix, this true “gumbo” of a town we call home.
Hammond became a state Main Street community in 1984 and immediately hit the ground running. Partnerships between public and private groups, as well as businesses and residents, has produced an exemplary character and successful development for Louisiana’s Main Street communities. Back then—and still today—residents proposed little change to the historic beauty of downtown Hammond. The challenge became one of preservation and enhancement, by instilling a greater sense of pride in and connection to the downtown community, as well as bringing in new and promising business opportunities.
The people responded in miraculous ways. With the establishment of a Downtown Development District Authority and partnerships with many—and often times all—of the local merchants, Hammond has been deemed a Louisiana Cultural District, named one of Louisiana’s Cleanest Cities five years in a row, and has enjoyed acclaim from national and international visitors, organizations and awards.
Starry November Night is Hammond’s pride and joy of family events, complete with real snow, pictures with Santa, music— including the U.S. Navy band—star-gazing, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a plethora of shopping deals and steals. As the arts have become a central focus for new businesses and community organizations, the Columbia Theater and Hammond Regional Arts Center are leading the way with the Lunch Lecture series, Art in the Park, Music in the Park and live performances that run the spectrum from Boys II Men to The Music Man.
Current projects in the works include the Hammond Pavilion—a state-of-the-art cultural events center available for many events, including our twice-monthly Hammond Farmers’ Market. Also, a possible trail-to-rail system called Tangi Trail that would run the length of Tangipahoa Parish and straight through the middle of Downtown Hammond, as well as immense growth and unique possibilities offered by our proud Southeastern Louisiana University community.
With so much to do and such a bustling commercial district, it’s amazing Hammond still feels like the vibrant, historic and colorful downtown it has always been. The people are the same—vibrant, enthusiastic and proud. This is what keeps old friends around downtown and entices newcomers to share in, and contribute to our beauty and culture.
