News

Sep 1, 2009

Abita Indian Princess Statue Unveiled August 29th

A bronze sculpture of the legendary Abita Princess was unveiled and dedicated on August 29, 2009 at the Abita Springs Tourist Park beneath the historic Cotton Centennial Pavilion.   The statue was commissioned by Ron Blitch, FAIA and  Blitch/Knevel Architects in honor of James Buchanan Blitch, Sr., FAIA, as a gift to the citizens of Abita Springs.

James Buchanan Blitch, Sr., 1923 – 1998, was the leading proponent of zoning laws in Abita Springs and was responsible for the creation of the Abita Springs National Historic District in 1977.  “Had it not been for the vision and perseverance of my father, Abita Springs as we know it today would not exist”, said Ron Blitch.  The distinct Abita cottage, a shotgun house with a porch wrapping around three sides, was in danger of extinction in the 1970’s. Many of the unique homes were being demolished and brick tract homes constructed on a slab were going up in their place.  The senior Blitch encouraged the Abita Springs town government to pass strict zoning laws and oversaw creation of the Historic District.  Today, the town is charmingly preserved and home to quaint architecture, museums, restaurants, artists and craftsmen as well as the Abita Brewery, the Tammany Trace and the Abita Springs Opry, dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana roots music.

The Abita Princess was crafted by Gabriele Mossa in his studio in Florence, Italy using the ‘lost wax’ method.  The statue captures the Choctaw maiden poised to drink from the bubbling spring.  Legend has it that a Choctaw tribe migrated to the area when the chief’s daughter became ill.  The reputation of the healing waters had spread and the Choctaws settled near-by so that the princess could drink from the spring and be healed.  The Choctaw named their settlement “Ibetab Okla Chitto” which means “large settlement near the fountain.”  White settlers followed and anglicized “Ibetab” to Abita.

The small town became a tourist mecca in the late 1800’s.  New Orleanians came by steamboat and train and filled hotels and boardinghouses. City folk fled the summer heat and disease of New Orleans for the cool pine air and the healing properties of the legendary spring at Abita.  In 1888, a local businessman purchased the wooden pavilion constructed for the 1884 World Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans and moved it to Abita Springs, where it was erected over the spring.  The statue of the Abita Princess will be housed under the pavilion, as a gift to the citizens of Abita Springs in honor of the man responsible for preserving the town.

Press coverage of the event:

Nola.com Indian Princess - Abita Springs Legend Comes to Life

Northshore Conifer Abita's Princess

St. Tammany News Honoring History - Abita Springs unveils "Princess" statue