Abita Springs
Abita Springs Dates Back To The 1800's
Long before Abita Springs was known as a village of spring water, breweries, and bed and breakfasts, the waters were valued by the Choctaw Indians for their healing properties.
The history of Abita Springs reaches back to the 1800's, when the spring waters were used for medicinal purposes by the Choctaw Indians. That long association with healing water is the foundation of the town's identity, which continues to shape how the community is presented today.
Visitors today can still find homes built in the early 1900s standing along the streets of Abita Springs, and the artesian spring remains the reason many people first come to town.
Healing Waters Of Abita Springs
Abita Springs sits north of Lake Pontchartrain in Saint Tammany Parish, a short drive from New Orleans. The spring water that drew the Choctaw Indians here remains central to the town's story and to the way visitors experience it today.
- Healing spring waters known to the Choctaw Indians in the 1800's.
- Historic homes built in the early 1900s still stand in the town.
- Located north of Lake Pontchartrain, in Saint Tammany Parish.
- The village motto: "Where Nature Performs Miracles."
At A Glance
Key Facts About Abita Springs
A short summary of the village's history and character.
Dating Back To The 1800's
Abita Springs history reaches back to the 1800's, when the spring waters were used for medicinal purposes by the Choctaw Indians.
Abita Springs earned its place in Saint Tammany Parish history long before it became known as a village of spring water, breweries, and bed and breakfasts. The story reaches back into the 1800s, when the waters here were valued for their healing properties, with the Choctaw Indians among the earliest to recognize their medicinal appeal. That long association with restorative water forms the foundation of the town's identity and continues to shape how the community presents itself to visitors today.
Standing along the streets of Abita Springs are homes built in the early 1900s, reminders of an era when the settlement drew people seeking relief, rest, and a slower pace of life near the springs. These historic structures sit within a parish that preserves period character in towns like Covington, Mandeville, and Madisonville, giving the Northshore a sense of continuity that spans more than a century of local history and settlement.
Today, Abita Springs is part of the wider Saint Tammany Parish tourism picture, the same Louisiana region known for Fontainebleau State Park, the Global Wildlife Center, and the seafood traditions of Sunset Park on Lake Pontchartrain. Visitors can pair a walk through the historic district with nearby fishing, boating, and cycling routes, or continue north toward Slidell and the lakeshore communities that line the parish.
The parish's story is shaped by water in many forms, from spring-fed wells and bayous to the flood cycles that have reshaped communities along the Northshore. Abita Springs, with its springs, market, and festival traditions, illustrates how a place can draw on deep history while remaining a welcoming base for exploring the fishing, wildlife, scenic trails, and historic towns that define Saint Tammany Parish today.
Early 1900s Homes
The town still features homes built in the early 1900s, a reminder of its small-village scale.
North Of Lake Pontchartrain
Abita Springs lies north of Lake Pontchartrain, in Saint Tammany Parish, 45 minutes from New Orleans.
A Small Population
Abita Springs had a population of less than 2,400 residents after the 2010 Census.
Through The Years
From Healing Spring To Hometown
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1800's
The spring waters of Abita Springs are used for medicinal purposes by the Choctaw Indians.
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Early 1900s
Homes are built in the early 1900s, forming the historic fabric of the town seen today.
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2010 Census
Abita Springs is recorded with a population of fewer than 2,400 residents.
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Today
The village is known for its artesian spring, Abita Brew Pub Restaurant and Brewery, the Abita Springs Opry, and its bed and breakfast rooms.
Plan Your Visit
See Abita Springs For Yourself
Read the full visitor guide to Abita Springs, with details on the Opry, the brewery, and where to stay.