This riverfront town is a small community along the Tchefuncte River. The area that is now St. Tammany Parish was first explored in 1699 by a French-Canadian, Pierre Le Moyne Iberville. He was also the first European to view Lake Pontchartrain. The Parish was named for Delaware Indian Chief, Tamenand. The area remained largely unsettled until 1785 when settlers from Georgia and the Carolinas came into the territory. Settlements were formed along the local rivers and bayous. Madisonville’s lifestyle is centered around a marine atmosphere. Many marinas and waterfront residences, not to mention the many seafood restaurants and festivals, make it not only a prime tourist area, but also a great place to live.