Robert, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert, Louisiana
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 Robert, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
Robert, Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Tangipahoa |
| Elevation | 8 ft (2 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70455
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| Area code(s) | 985 |
| GNIS feature ID | 538632 |
Robert is a small, unincorporated community in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but without its own local government.
Robert is located east of the city of Hammond. It sits at the intersection of two important roads: US 190 and LA 445. You can also reach Robert from Interstate 12 using a special exit. Even though it's a small place, Robert is the largest community in the rural 8th ward of Tangipahoa Parish.
This community, which has about 20 streets and one traffic light, became known around the world in 2010. This happened when the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command was set up there. This group worked at the Shell Robert Training and Conference Center. They helped organize the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a big event that affected the ocean.
Places to Work in Robert
Robert is home to several different types of employers. These businesses and organizations provide jobs for many people. Here are some of the notable places:
- Regina Coeli Child Development Center: This center helps manage Head Start programs. These programs provide early childhood education for young children in six different parishes (counties) in Louisiana.
- Walmart Distribution Center: A very large distribution center for Walmart is located just east of Robert. It's on US 190, the road leading to Goodbee, Louisiana. This center helps send products to many Walmart stores.
- Yogi Bear Jellystone Park: This is a fun resort and campground. It's located close to the Robert exit on Interstate 12 (LA 445). Many families visit this park for vacations.
- Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center: This center helps young people who have made mistakes. It's a rehabilitation place located in Tangipahoa Parish, near the border with Saint Tammany Parish, east of Robert.
- Louisiana Renaissance Festival: This popular festival brings thousands of visitors to the area every November. People travel through Robert to get to the festival grounds on LA 1064 (Tangipahoa River Road). It's a fun event that recreates a historical time period.
- Louisiana State University's Agricultural Experiment Station: This research station covers about 140 acres (0.57 square kilometers). It's located along LA 1067 (Old Covington Highway). The station is near the Tangipahoa River, across from Robert. Here, scientists study agriculture to help farmers.
Robert's Historical Bombing Range
During World War II, a large area northeast of Robert was used as a military training site. This area, about 15,216 acres (61.58 square kilometers), was called the Hammond Bombing and Gunnery Range. Soldiers practiced bombing and shooting there.
Even as recently as 2009, people who owned property in this area had to be careful. They were legally required to tell others about the possible presence of unexploded ordnance. Unexploded ordnance means old bombs or bullets that did not go off and could still be dangerous.
According to Bruce Harrell, a CPA, residents could not do whatever they wanted with their land. They also had a "moral obligation" to tell buyers that the land was once a bombing range when selling it. This was to ensure everyone knew about the history and potential risks of the area.
