History of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana in Timeline

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, situated on the state's southeastern border, had a population of 133,157 as of the 2020 census. Amite City serves as the parish seat, while Hammond is the largest city and home to Southeastern Louisiana University. The parish's southeastern boundary is defined by Lake Pontchartrain.

1919: Heightened Violence in Tangipahoa Parish

In 1919, Tangipahoa Parish was experiencing a time of heightened violence, twenty-two of 24 lynchings of black people happened between 1879 and 1919.

1932: Flooding in Tangipahoa Parish

In 1932, Tangipahoa Parish suffered flooding.

1950: Lynchings in Tangipahoa Parish

By 1950, a total of 24 black individuals had been lynched by whites in Tangipahoa Parish between 1877 and 1950, marking it as the sixth-highest total in Louisiana and the highest in southern Louisiana.

1975: School Board Ordered to Integrate Teaching Staff

In 1975, the Tangipahoa Parish School Board was ordered to ensure one-third of the teaching staff were Black due to a history of racial discrimination in hiring.

1986: Home Rule Charter Approved

In 1986, the Tangipahoa Police Jury and the voters of the Parish approved a "home rule charter" style of government, providing for the election of a parish president.

1998: School Board Continues Discrimination

During the period from 1998 to 2008, the Tangipahoa Parish School Board hired fewer Black teachers than any other school system in the state, continuing its history of racial discrimination.

2008: School Board Continues Discrimination

During the period from 1998 to 2008, the Tangipahoa Parish School Board hired fewer Black teachers than any other school system in the state, continuing its history of racial discrimination.

October 2009: Justice of the peace refuses to officiate interracial wedding

In October 2009, Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, drew criticism for refusing to officiate the wedding of an interracial couple based on his views about societal acceptance of interracial relationships.

November 3, 2009: Resignation of Justice of the Peace

On November 3, 2009, Keith Bardwell resigned from his position as justice of the peace after refusing to officiate the wedding of an interracial couple, with Governor Bobby Jindal stating the resignation was "long overdue."

2010: Second Ruling Strengthens Integration Mandate

In 2010, a second ruling strengthened the original 1975 mandate for the Tangipahoa Parish School Board to integrate its teaching staff.

2015: Edwards Wins Parish Vote

In 2015, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards won over 60% of the vote in Tangipahoa Parish.

2015: Gordon A. Burgess Retires

In 2015, Gordon A. Burgess retired as parish president of Tangipahoa Parish after being repeatedly re-elected since his initial election in 1986.

April 2016: First Chief Administrative Officer Hired

In April 2016, Tangipahoa Parish hired its first chief administrative officer, Shelby "Joe" Thomas, Jr., to handle operating functions.

October 2016: Tangipahoa Parish Council Leadership

As of October 2016, Bobby Cortez was the chairman and Kristen Pecararo was the clerk of the Tangipahoa Parish Council.

2016: Federal Disaster Area Declaration

In 2016, Tangipahoa Parish was declared a Federal disaster area due to historic flooding from rainfall and storms in both March and August.

2016: Sheriff's Office Excluded from DEA Task Force

In 2016, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office was excluded from a DEA task force after the Justice Department charged two deputies with stealing money and drugs seized in raids.