Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

HAMMOND--Basking in past glory, the old Casa de Fresa Hotel.
This brochure was from the early 30’s, check out the room rates.
This is when strawberries were so plentiful in the Hammond area that the Illinois Central Railroad had to run a special train daily to accommodate the volume.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I wonder if the Hotel is still around. It was fireproof after all.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

It was closed as a hotel in 1966. Part of it was used as a restaurant for a while, and a private school used at least part of it while its own school building was being built. A look at the spot on Google Earth shows a large Post Office building and other structures - no sign of the hotel itself.

They do still grow strawberries in the area, though.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Interesting.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

Unfortunately the Casa de Fresa Hotel, burned 1979.

One of many post cards used back then…

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Thanks for the postcard! That is a keeper.

But it advertised itself as a thoroughly modern fireproof hotel (the first sentence in their ad!

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

The title 'Strawberry Capitol of the World' is now being claimed by another town in Louisiana. Just a few miles down the road, Ponchatoula is now claiming that title. Every spring Ponchatoula has a strawberry festival, a truly mouthwatering event - if you like strawberries. From their website:

Since 1972, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival has attracted visitors from near and far to celebrate our local strawberry farmers, non-profits, and our special community, flourishing into the largest free harvest festival in the state of Louisiana. Join us for three days filled with time-honored traditions, amazing food and drinks, live music, rides, and loads of family fun!