Guillett's, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Robert Vernon, Nov., 2000

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>From "Individual Studies of Place Names in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, James Valsin 
Coumes, Tangipahoa Parish Resource Unit, Tangipahoa Parish School Board, 1972."

GULLETT'S

Just below Amite on U. S. Highway 51 was the site of the Gullett Gin Company.  It received its 
name from its founder and original owner, Benjamin David Gullett, who had built his first 
plant at Aberdeen, Mississippi, in 1848.  After this first establishment was destroyed during 
the Civil War, Gullett was arrested and brought to New Orleans.  Soon after his release, he 
came to the Amite area and established his new plant.  It being the first (and therefore 
oldest) manufacturing facility in Tangipahoa Parish.

The Gullett Gin Company helped to develop Amite.  At its inception, it provided the only 
industry and school in the Amite region.

At one time this factory area was a regular stop on the Illinois Central Railroad.  The company 
manufactured cotton gins until 1964.  During World War II, it manufactured shells for the 
army and practice bombs for the navy.

Although the management and the buildings of this factory area have changed a few times, it 
has remained as another reminder of a proud past in historic Amite; and although it now lies 
dormant, someone will likely awaken it again for some presently unknown and perhaps greater 
community service.