Hammond

Known as the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” Hammond is the vibrant heart of Tangipahoa Parish and a historic crossroads where the railroad once met the vast pine forests of the Florida Parishes. Founded by Peter Hammond, a Swedish immigrant who settled the area in the early 1800s to produce navy stores from the surrounding pine timber, the city truly blossomed with the arrival of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad. This connection transformed Hammond into a vital shipping hub for the region’s legendary strawberry crops, a heritage that is still celebrated every spring at the Louisiana Strawberry Festival, the second-largest free festival in the state.

Today, Hammond is a dynamic college town, anchored by Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU). The university’s presence brings an energetic, youthful spirit to the community, fueling a thriving arts scene and a diverse culinary landscape. The Downtown Hammond Historic District is a testament to this revitalization, where beautifully restored century-old buildings now house trendy boutiques, local breweries, and acclaimed restaurants like Jacmel Inn, all centered around the iconic Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.

For homeowners, Hammond offers a wide range of lifestyles, from the historic charm of the Hyer-Drouant District to modern family subdivisions and expansive rural estates on the city’s outskirts. The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with the nearby Tickfaw State Park offering cypress-filled boardwalks and the Zemurray Park providing a peaceful green space in the center of town. With its strategic location at the junction of I-10 and I-55, Hammond provides the perfect balance: a community with a deep agricultural past, a thriving academic present, and a resilient future as a regional center for Northshore living.