The HOTEL PONDER was built in the small town of Amite, Louisiana in 1947, just down Central Avenue from the Illinois Central depot. Amite is the seat of Tangipahoa Parish, which probably explained the need for such an imposing structure in a town of this size. As of 2006 the hotel is still in business, so you can get a room overlooking the main line of the Canadian National; but you won't see nearly as many train as you could when the hotel opened! |