Talisheek, Louisiana


Talisheek, Louisiana is a small rural community nestled among tall pine trees mixed with hardwoods in a quiet part of St. Tammany Parish. If you travel LA 41 or LA 435, the two state highways that lead to Talisheek, it is hard to believe that 6,101 people live here, because there are no highway signs announcing the boundaries of the community . If it wasn't for Talisheek Grocery, a small grocery store and Talisheek Post Office both located on LA 435 in the heart of the community, a visitor would never know that they have successfully reached this small bedroom community.

The people that live here chose this place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a great place to raise a family where you can enjoy all the benefits of a country life that is just 25 minutes away from good schools, fine restaurants, shopping malls, etc.

Talisheek History


In 1880, Talisheek was originally located 7 miles northeast of Covington on the Columbia Road (LA Highway 21). The area was known for its abundance of tall, virgin longleaf yellow pine, which attracted the timber industry and the business tap into this natural resource. It is possible that many people who made their livelihood from the timber industry settled into this area, though records are lacking. During this time, a post office was built and given the name Talisheek. J.M. Abney was appointed postmaster over the new post office.

In 1906-07, the N.O.G.N. Railroad (New Orleans Great Northern Railroad Company) was built 7 miles east of the Talisheek Post Office that stretched from Bogulusa to Slidell. In 1907, a new post office was built approximately 7 miles southeast of the Talisheek Post Office in an area called the Talisheek Crossing by the N.O.G.N. Railroad and was given the name Talisheek. Because of a confusion of names, the old Talisheek Post Office had its name changed to Waldheim, so the settlement formally known as Talisheek became Waldheim. Confusing isn't it!

The name Talisheek is derived from the Choctaw Indian name talushik, meaning "gravel or small pebbles". The name is appropiate, since there are many gravel deposits in this area. Choctaw indians on their way to sell their baskets, gumbo filé, and other herbs at the French Market in New Orleans would camp overnight by the creek in this area. The creek was named Penn Creek in later years due to a grist mill built on its bank, owned by Mr. Penn, who was a a wealthy lumberman. Today it is known as the Talisheek Creek.

In 1913, Warren Thomas, well known during his lifetime in the city of Covington and Walter Parker laid out plans for streets and names in the Talisheek Settlement. Mr. Thomas owned west of the railroad and Mr. Parker on the east. It is unclear how many acres of land was owned by Mr. Thomas and Mr. Parker.

Also in 1913, the Ozone Lumber Company moved into Talisheek due to the abundance of tall, virgin longleaf yellow pine and built a mill beside the creek. In addition to a lumber mill being built, a large depot was built beside the railroad tracks and it consisted of an express office, ticket window, and telegraph. The Ozone Lumber Company was owned and operated by Frederick Fatheree and his partner known as Mr. "Cotton Jim". The lumber mill was built by Allen Woodson Clements.

Later in time, Talisheek boasted as having a Woodsman of the World Hall, a turpentine distillery, Thomas and Parker Conversary, all adjoined to the Post Office. Talisheek was becoming a hot spot of activity due in part to the lumber industry.

In 1913, land for a school was donated by Warren Thomas and a log structure was built along side the creek serving as Talisheek's first school. In 1914, a second school was built on land donated by both Mr. Parker and Mr. Thomas. The second school burned and a third school was erected on the same land. In 1940, the school was consolidated with 6th Ward Junior High (now 6th Ward Elementary School) and the building removed from Talisheek and reconstructed in Slidell for a school for African Americans.

In 1917, Robert H. Wood Sr. bought his father's, John H. Wood's General Merchandise Store, located by the railroad tracks. In time there was a cafe, boarding house, drug store, barber shop, meat market and fruit stand, all built along the railroad tracks.

Today, Talisheek is all but a shadow of it's former self. It is a small quiet bedroom community with a colorful past and history, having no employment opportunities for the residents. People that live here must go to other cities to find employment such as Covington, Mandeville, Slidell or New Orleans. The only businesses that exist in Talisheek are a small grocery store and the post office.

 

 
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The tall, virgin longleaf yellow pines that brought in the lumber mill have all but disappeared from the woods. The gravel road has been replaced by black top and the creek that seen so much business activity during Talisheek's hay day is just used for swimming by people today.