Ponchatoula Commercial Historic District

The Ponchatoula Commercial Historic District spans approximately 67 brick structures mainly along Pine Street between Railroad Avenue and Sixth Street. The buildings are one or two stories tall, and many feature covered sidewalk areas that combine retail and storage spaces with occasional residential rooms above.

The area developed starting in the 1890s as a trading and storage center for agricultural goods. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, acknowledging its importance to the region's economic growth.

The buildings showcase different architectural influences that tell stories of the town's trading traditions. Visitors can see the differences between the more ornately designed older structures and the simpler buildings that reflect different development phases of the district.

The district is best explored on foot, with most buildings directly accessible from Pine Street. Visitors should expect some areas to remain residential or in active use, so it is important to be respectful.

The district shows a shift in agricultural specialization documented in its warehouses and trading buildings. While the area originally focused on cotton processing, strawberry production later became the economic driving force of the town.

Location: Ponchatoula

GPS coordinates: 30.43861,-90.44222

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:45