Madisonville LA

Madisonville, LA is situated on the historic Tchefuncte River on the Louisiana Hwy. 22 between Ponchatoula and Mandeville. The town was founded in 1817 and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Louisiana and is the oldest settlement in the Saint Tammany Parish.

Right on the gorgeous Tchefuncte River banks, the town is robust in maritime history. Visitors can explore the history within Lake Pontchartrain’s Basin Maritime Museum, as well as hear about efforts that preserve the town’s lighthouse, constructed in 1837, and is listed upon Nat’l. Register of Historic Places.

You can crab or fish off of the pier upon the lakefront — or eat some of the yummiest seafood at restaurants like Morton’s or Crabby Shack, which features a deck that overlooks the river.

Travelers are drawn to the town for festivals like Wooden Boat Festival which is held in autumn, as well as Mardi Gras boat parade.

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum

The town houses Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum that puts on Wooden Boat Festival every fall. This museum works together in research with Southeastern LA University and additional educational institutions.

Lighthouse

Tchefuncte River Lighthouse is run by Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum using a grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services and Southeastern Museum Conference, a wonderful gift from Southeastern Louisiana University Development Fund which contained live-streaming security cameras, as well as on-site details on lake levels and wave and wind action by Dep’t. of Computer Science, and contributions from individuals and private groups. On July 14, 1986, Tchefuncte River Lighthouse was placed upon National Register of Historic Places.

Tchefuncte River Light Station, initially built and founded in 1837, is a symbol of the wonderful maritime history and Louisiana culture. The initial tower was damaged within the Civil War and was reconstructed in 1867 to 1868 upon the same foundation utilizing most of the same bricks.

Light Station, its keepers, as well as their loved ones weathered several hurricanes until the year 1939 as it was automated by the United States Coast Guard. In the year 1999 the land was transferred over to Madisonville and continuously serves its community as a private aid to navigation, as well as an icon of SE Louisiana. The historic lighthouse was featured within the 2008 film “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and was the topic of multiple lighthouse articles and books.

The lighthouse today is managed by Maritime Museum for rebuilding as an educational center that partners with SE Louisiana University.

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