On December 22, 1810 St. Tammany Parish was established.

At that time then Gov. William C.C. Claiborne is said to have commented “Civil authority remains weak and lax in West Florida especially in the region near the Pearl River, where the influence of the law is scarcely felt.”

It was he who named the area after the Indian chief Tamanend, a man known for promoting peace and goodness.

Nancy Lee looks on as contributor Webb Williams autographs her copy of “St. Tammany Parish: A Bicentennial Celebration.” (Staff Photo by Suzanne Le Breton)

Fast forward 200 years, and you have a thriving parish, with a growing population, a renowned school district and thriving arts community.

Wednesday night, residents were invited to join Parish President Kevin Davis in kicking off the parish’s bicentennial events, celebrating the area’s history, present and past.

The Bicentennial Web site and the commemorative book created by Inside Northside in conjunction with St. Tammany Parish, “St. Tammany Parish: A Bicentennial Celebration” were unveiled at the reception. Contributors to the book, which was published by Inside Northside magazine, were available to sign autographs and answer questions. For those who did not get a copy at the reception Wednesday, the book will go on sale at the local Barnes and Noble store on Saturday. The book cost $25.

As part of the kickoff Davis also recognized the families of the first five individuals being honored as part of the parish’s new Cultural Icons Project Wednesday.

According to Davis to be considered a Cultural Icon one must have made a major contribution to the arts (visual arts, literature, dance, music, culinary arts, sports) both within St. Tammany Parish and nationally. The parish’s goal is to eventually recognize all the culturally significant individuals who are from this area, or have lived a significant portion of their lives here.  The first five St. Tammany Cultural Icons are author Dr. Walker Percy, basketball great “Pistol” Pete Maravich, musician Louis Prima, boxer Tony Canzoneri, and musician Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.

Shadowboxes including memorabilia and pictures as well as biographies of the individuals are hanging in the hall at the parish complex on Koop Drive.

Joyce Prima was tickled to have her father, Louis Prima, included among the first five icons to be recognized.

“This is wonderful. I am so thrilled,” she said. Her father would have turned 100 years old this Dec. 7, and she feels being included in this project “will give him the respect he deserves.”

Prima was one of the most influential figures in American music, with a career spanning from 1930 through 1975. He built Pretty Acres, a golf course which was located in the area where Walmart Supercenter now stands in Covington, and lived there with Joyce’s stepmother, Gia.

Joyce said she has fond memories of living at the location with her father and Gia, who she said is still a very dear friend of hers.

Mary Bernice “Bunt” Percy, widow of highly regarded Southern writer Walker Percy, said it is “high time” the parish recognizes her late husband.

She tapped on the glass of the shadowbox where a picture of her late husband hung, and whispered in her raspy voice, “I loved that picture.”

She commented on the irony that he would be recognized along side Pete Maravich and Louis Prima, as the three men’s lives overlapped.

“I tutored Jaeson (Pete Maravich’s son) at the time of his dad’s death and Prima’s grandson was in my scout troop,” she said, adding that Walker Percy “would be so pleased” to be honored among these other people.”

“It’s a good thing overdue,” her daughter, Mary Pratt Lobdell, said. “ I know daddy would love to know he is next to Pistol Pete because his grandson and Jaeson were good friends.”

Becky Rorhbough, who attended the reception Wednesday, said her family moved in next door to the Percy family when she was 12 years old and she befriended Lobdell. She recalls listening to Walker Percy tell stories to Lobdell’s younger sister, Ann, who struggled with a hearing problem and was trying to learn to read lips.

“He would tell the most engrossing stories,” Rorhbough said. “The man was an absolute wonderful storyteller. If children everywhere could just hear that man tell stories.”

Jackie Maravich, widow of Pete Maravich, had to attend the event alone as her oldest son was at training at Above the Rim and her younger son was home sick.

Still, she said it was an amazing honor to be there.

During his career in the NBA, Maravich was a five time All-Star, and averaged 24.2 points per game.  He moved to St. Tammany Parish after being drafted into the NBA, and remained here with his family.

The biggest contribution Maravich made came after his departure from professional sports, when he started a ministry talking to groups of athletes at basketball camps and churches around the country. 

“His legacy will live on,” she said, pointing out that the basketball great also made a name for himself by giving back to the community and for his work in his church.

She said her sons are very proud of their dad and were sad that they could not make it Wednesday night.

Jim Bateman was there with Gene Gunufsen, recognizing their long-time friend, the late Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.

Bateman said Brown was born in Vinton but moved to Texas at a young age, so Texas often claims him as their own. However, he said, when he moved to Slidell in 1983, Brown found home.

“To honor Gate would only be a natural,” Gunufsen, who sang with the late musician said, “as much as he has contributed musically and in the community.”

Bateman said Brown would be “pleasantly surprised.”

“He loved Slidell, and made it his home. Everyone in Slidell knew of him and his Black Cadillac driving around smoking his pipe.”

“The musicians looked up to him,” he added.

Gunufsen said, “It was a wonderful experience learning the craft from such a musical genius.”

However, he added that Brown taught him much more.

“I learned so many things from him about music and life in general.”

Tony Canzoneri, who was born in Slidell, managed to win two world championships before the age of twenty.  By twenty-three, he was considered pound for pound the best fighter in the world.  He fought in a total of 175 bouts, and won 144. 

His family members, who are scattered throughout the nation, were not able to attend Wednesday’s reception. The parish will continue to name at least one new icon every year as part of the project.