Osyka’s history dates back to 1812, when Jesse
Redmond, who is today considered its founder, arrived here from the East Coast.
Jesse traveled to Mississippi Territory and settled in what is the East side
of Osyka, near the Tangipahoa River. He fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle
of New Orleans. He married Elizabeth Calter in 1825 and reared his children
in Osyka.
The name Osyka comes from Miss Osyka. Legend has it that this Choctaw Indian
princess died and was buried near Gardner Springs. The springs are located near
Tate Ott’s pasture. Her father a Choctaw Chief asked the founding Fathers
to name the town in her honor. Osyka means “Soaring Eagle” in Choctaw.
Osyka is located in Southwest Pike County. It is 100 miles South of Jackson,
Mississippi and 90 miles North of New Orleans. It is one square mile, 640 acres,
located at Section 35, Township 1N and Range 7E. The town has never had a population
greater than 1000.
