Echoes From The Attic and Poems, Passing Scenery, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Dec. 2000
Typed by Belford Carver
Written by by Edna F. Campbell
Copyrighted by Edna F. Campbell
With special thanks to her family for permission to use her works.

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PASSING SCENERY

OXTEAMS AND BULLDOZERS PART OF CHANGES FROM RIVERSIDE 
HOTEL IN NEW SUBDIVISION

From oxteams in 1894 to massive bulldozers in 1967 are but parts of changing scenes in 
the Hammond area, brought about by the march of progress. "Breckwoldt," a familiar old 
summer resort occupied the site now a new developed subdivision, River Oak, east of 
Hammond.

In Octber 1894, Mr. And Mrs. Frank Breckwoldt, Sr., along with their family migrated 
from Dubuque, Iowa to Hammond and located five miles east of Hammond on the river 
bank estate.  A large wooden framework family residence was built.  Mr. Breckwodt died 
shortly after the family landed here.

Mrs. Hilda Darouse, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Frank Breckwodt II, still residing in 
Hammond, said she was born in December of that same year.

Mrs. Frank (Anna) Breckwoldt Sr., a native of Germany having arrived in this country at 
the age of seven remained at the farm site with her family, she chose the name, "Wishing 
Springs" as a name for the place, due to the many springs around.

Perhaps a question from Col. H. William Robinson, then proprietor of the Oaks Hotel 
prompted the beginning of the popular summer lodge.  "Why don't you start a boarding 
house here?" he asked Mrs. Anna Breckwodt, while visiting there on one occasion.  He 
foresaw the great potential in the attractiveness of the setting. Amid grouping of moss-
draped oaks, a swimming and boating place and ideal picnic grounds.

The suggestion and discussions soon took root and a new wing was added to the house 
forming a 22-room boarding house with four baths, completed in 1908, boarders began to 
pour in and business was thriving.  Local people used the resort joining the groups for 
picnics and parties.

A railway branch made transportation available and was well known as the Baton Rouge-
Hammond and Eastern Railroad, and a popular mode of travel.  The line is still there and 
is used for pulpwood handling.  A station bearing the name "Breckwodt" was added 
convenience for passengers.

The family also operated a sawmill in the area and oxteams were used in hauling.

There were three Breckwoldt sons, Frank, Albert, and Edward.  Frank succeeded his 
mother in operation of the place.  Around 1917 the establishment was sold to John W. 
Bradley and A. M. Edwards Sr., with the Breckwoldts retaining 72 acres and the 
homesite.  Later the place was sold and changed hands several times, belonging to Sacred 
Heart and later to Raymond B. Colby.

Now heavy tractors are at work as a part of the development plans of the new 
subdivision, River Oaks.

Frank Breckwoldt III, and his sister, Mrs. Hilda B. Darouse, grandson and granddaughter 
of the late Frank Breckwoldts, early owner of the old hotel, still reside in the area.

(From ECHOES FROM THE ATTIC AND POEMS, II, 1967, by Edna F. Campbell)