Not one to sidestep any debate, I recently found myself engaged in what I thought would be a juicy topical session regarding the old courthouse. Boy, was I ever wrong!

While attending to affairs in Covington, I happened to overhear a raging debate over the status of the old courthouse. Of no small font of knowledge, I chimed in with my two cents' worth and advised that the best thing that could happen to that architectural encroachment would be the business end of a wrecking ball.

"And just why would you want to see the destruction of such a lovely old structure?" my conversationalist queried. I was taken aback, knowing my debating partner to be of unquestioned wisdom. I was then informed that the courthouse in question was the Old Courthouse. Not the old courthouse. "The Old Courthouse ... oh, you mean the one they tore down to build the new courthouse?"

"NO ... nothing of note was torn down for construction of the new courthouse!"

"Wait ... hold on. Let's see, we have a new courthouse under construction ... due to open in 2002. And we have an old courthouse on Boston Street, currently very occupied. So, do you mean the 'old old' courthouse? The one that was at the site of the new old courthouse before the new old courthouse became the old courthouse?"

"Now hold on just a minute, Mr. Know-it-all! If you're trying to be cute, how 'bout trying for the 'old old old' courthouse?"

"Well now ... this is a topic of interest. We have a courthouse as in a 'triple old' courthouse?" "Yes, we do!!! And it is located where over 100,000 vehicles a day pass ... right in front, as a matter of fact! Gottcha!!"

I had to confess. I was at a loss. We, the residents of St. Tammany Parish, have a courthouse where over 100,000 cars a day pass. I know we have traffic problems, but I couldn't begin to imagine just where this Old Courthouse was located. "Okay ... 'fess up. How 'bout I spring for a cup of coffee and you shed some light on this for me?" We made our way to the local coffee emporium on Boston Street and took up prominent positions where only the pontificators and kibitzing adherents dare to sit.

A fascinating story began to unravel about an early settlement on the east side of the Bogue Falaya known as the Town of Claiborne. Many old timers still call the area Claiborne Hill, or the Hill or simply Claiborne. It is one of the busiest intersections in western St. Tammany, where Highways 190, 25, 21 and 36 meet. You know, right there where you try to turn to get into Covington ... where the overpass is ... yes, that's Claiborne! (I checked with the DOTD, and actual traffic counts approach 86,000 vehicles per day.)

Okay, I know I'm digressing. Let's see ... the Town of Claiborne, the original landing on the Bogue Falaya ... and one of the highest points of land around.

The property in question, for all of you who are craning your memories-and maybe your necks-is located on the west side of the highway behind Covington Pontiac. This parcel of land was acquired by Byrne Lobdell's parents in the 1940s. Robert Lobdell, a noted architect and architectural historian, bought the original "Covington" courthouse property and restored this lovely structure into one of the most charming homes in western St. Tammany Parish.

Constructed in 1815, the site has served as the courthouse, a hotel and, for the past sixty years, the Lobdell residence. Designed originally as a simple block house of masonry and frame members, the galleries were added later. The Old Old Old Courthouse is a historical and architectural gem that should be shared with the public and preserved for future generations.

So, the next time someone wants to lecture you on the old courthouse, you can say that, unless it's the one at Claiborne, you're not up for such a pedestrian debate. The old timers will know what you mean!