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Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

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Natchitoches Parish (French: Paroisse des Natchitoches or Les Natchitoches) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,515.[1] The parish seat and most populous municipality is Natchitoches, the largest by land area is Ashland, and the most density populated area is Campti.[2] The parish was formed in 1805.[3]

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Parish
Parish of Natchitoches
Paroisse des Natchitoches (French)
Natchitoches Parish Courthouse (completed 1939 as a WPA project)
Natchitoches Parish Courthouse (completed 1939 as a WPA project)
Flag of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Flag
Official seal of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Country United States
State Louisiana
RegionCentral Louisiana
FoundedApril 10, 1805; 219 years ago (1805-04-10)
Named forNatchitoches people
Parish seatNatchitoches
Largest municipalityAshland (area)
Natchitoches (population)
Campti (population density)
Incorporated municipalities
9 (total)
  • 1 city, 1 town, and 7 villages
  • (located entirely or partially
    within parish boundaries)
Area
 • Total
3,360 km2 (1,299 sq mi)
 • Land3,240 km2 (1,252 sq mi)
 • Water120 km2 (47 sq mi)
 • percentage9 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
37,515
 • RankLA: 30th
 • Density11/km2 (29/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code318
Congressional district4th
WebsiteNatchitoches Parish Government
The Natchitoches Parish Library.
Hidden by trees, the Magnolia Plantation is located in the Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
Creston Baptist Church is located at the intersections of the highways leading to Ashland, Goldonna, and Readhimer.

The Natchitoches, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Natchitoches Parish. This is the heart of the Cane River Louisiana Creole community, free people of color of mixed-race descent who settled here in the antebellum period. Their descendants continue to be Catholic and many are still French-speaking. The Cane River National Heritage Area includes the parish. Among the numerous significant historic sites in the parish is the St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church, a destination on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, founded in 2008.

Including extensive outbuildings at Magnolia and Oakland plantations, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park interprets the history and culture of the Louisiana Creoles. It is also on the Heritage Trail.

History

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Natchitoches Parish was created by the act of April 10, 1805, that divided the Territory of Orleans into 12 parishes, including Orleans, Iberville, Rapides and Natchitoches. The parish boundaries were much larger than now defined, but were gradually reduced as new parishes were organized following population increases in the state. The parishes of Caddo, Claiborne, Bossier, Webster, DeSoto, Bienville, Jackson, Sabine, Red River, Winn, and Grant were eventually formed from Natchitoches' enormous territory. Natchitoches Parish has had fifteen border revisions, making it second only to Ouachita parish in number of boundary revisions.[citation needed]

During the antebellum period, numerous large cotton plantations were developed in this area, worked by enslaved African Americans. The parish population was majority black and enslaved by the time of the Civil War. There was also a large mixed-race population of free Creoles of color. Among the institutions they founded was the St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church, built in 1829. It is a destination on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.

In May 1861 free men of color in the area known as Isle Brevelle began to organize two militia companies. Other free men of color of Campti and that area enlisted in the Confederate Army later in the war; and it is believed that they were accepted into a predominately white company because of their longstanding acceptance in the community. Many of the free people of color were related to longtime white families in the parish, who acknowledged them.[4]

After the war, during Reconstruction and after, there was white violence against freedmen and their sympathizers blacks in the aftermath of emancipation and establishing a free labor system. Most planters continued to rely on cotton as a commodity crop, although the market declined, adding to area problems. In the late 19th century, a timber industry developed in some areas.

Since the late 20th century, the parish has developed considerable heritage tourism. It also attracts people for fishing and other sports, including spring training on Cane River Lake by several university teams.


Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 1,299 square miles (3,360 km2), of which 1,252 square miles (3,240 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (3.6%) is water.[5] It is the fourth-largest parish by land area in Louisiana. The primary groundwater resources of Natchitoches Parish, from near surface to deepest, include the Red River alluvial, upland terrace, Sparta, and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers.[6]

Adjacent parishes

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Name
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Kisatchie National Forest (part)
Red River National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Saline Bayou

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18207,486—
18307,9055.6%
184014,35081.5%
185014,228−0.9%
186016,69917.4%
187018,2659.4%
188019,7077.9%
189025,83631.1%
190033,21628.6%
191036,4559.8%
192038,6025.9%
193038,477−0.3%
194040,9976.5%
195038,144−7.0%
196035,653−6.5%
197035,219−1.2%
198039,86313.2%
199036,689−8.0%
200039,0806.5%
201039,5661.2%
202037,515−5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11]
Natchitoches Parish racial composition as of 2020[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 18,898 50.37%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 14,857 39.6%
Native American 284 0.76%
Asian 166 0.44%
Pacific Islander 19 0.05%
Other/Mixed 1,801 4.8%
Hispanic or Latino 1,490 3.97%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 37,515 people, 14,659 households, and 7,538 families residing in the parish. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 39,566 people living in the parish. As of the census of 2000, there were 39,080 people, 14,263 households, and 9,499 families living in the parish.[13] The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 16,890 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2).

Of its population in 2010, 54.3% were White, 41.4% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% of some other race and 2.1% of two or more races; 1.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). In 2000, its racial makeup was 57.85% White, 38.43% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races; 1.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. By 2020, its racial makeup was 50.37% non-Hispanic white, 39.6% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.8% multiracial, and 3.97% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 14,263 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.30% were married couples living together, 17.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the parish the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 17.90% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 19.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $25,722, and the median income for a family was $32,816. Males had a median income of $29,388 versus $19,234 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $13,743. About 20.90% of families and 26.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.70% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Until the late 20th century, Natchitoches Parish was reliably Democratic in most competitive elections. But the party affiliations have changed, and like most of the Deep South, have a distinct ethnic and demographic character. Since African Americans achieved certain gains under civil rights legislation and have been enabled to vote again since the late 1960s, they have supported the Democratic Party. Most white conservatives have left that party, and affiliated with the Republican Party, as has been obvious in parish results in presidential elections since 2000. These results reflect the demographic breakdown of the parish, where whites comprise a slight majority.

The last Democrat to win in Natchitoches Parish at the presidential level was native son of the South, Bill Clinton from Arkansas in 1996, who received 8,296 votes (54.7 percent), compared to Republican Robert J. Dole's 5,471 ballots (36.1 percent). Ross Perot of the Reform Party attracted 1,053 votes (6.9 percent).[14][15][16][17][18]

United States presidential election results for Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,100 60.51% 5,740 38.16% 200 1.33%
2020 9,358 56.53% 6,896 41.66% 300 1.81%
2016 8,968 53.96% 7,144 42.98% 509 3.06%
2012 9,077 52.60% 7,942 46.02% 239 1.38%
2008 9,054 53.05% 7,801 45.71% 212 1.24%
2004 9,261 54.59% 7,398 43.60% 307 1.81%
2000 7,332 49.35% 6,924 46.60% 601 4.05%
1996 5,471 36.06% 8,296 54.69% 1,403 9.25%
1992 5,694 38.53% 6,974 47.19% 2,111 14.28%
1988 7,224 52.60% 6,151 44.79% 358 2.61%
1984 8,836 58.99% 5,806 38.76% 336 2.24%
1980 6,668 46.99% 7,102 50.05% 419 2.95%
1976 5,248 42.26% 6,692 53.89% 477 3.84%
1972 6,994 64.74% 3,180 29.44% 629 5.82%
1968 2,352 19.93% 3,945 33.43% 5,505 46.64%
1964 5,525 65.00% 2,975 35.00% 0 0.00%
1960 2,562 36.29% 2,781 39.39% 1,717 24.32%
1956 3,203 55.51% 2,028 35.15% 539 9.34%
1952 3,104 44.47% 3,876 55.53% 0 0.00%
1948 763 14.26% 1,692 31.61% 2,897 54.13%
1944 1,105 30.32% 2,536 69.59% 3 0.08%
1940 684 15.17% 3,824 84.83% 0 0.00%
1936 502 12.62% 3,476 87.38% 0 0.00%
1932 173 4.76% 3,458 95.18% 2 0.06%
1928 526 20.04% 2,099 79.96% 0 0.00%
1924 200 14.86% 1,132 84.10% 14 1.04%
1920 203 11.29% 1,595 88.71% 0 0.00%
1916 45 3.65% 1,181 95.78% 7 0.57%
1912 21 2.08% 759 75.07% 231 22.85%

Education

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Natchitoches Parish School Board operates local public schools.[20]

Parish Schools, East Natchitoches Elementary & Middle High School, Fairview Alpha Elementary & Junior High School, Frankie Ray Jackson Sr. Technical Center, Goldonna Elementary & Junior High School, L.P. Vaughn Elementary & Junior High School, Lakeview High School, M.R. Weaver Elementary, Marthaville Elementary & Junior High School, Natchitoches Central High School, Natchitoches Magnet School, NSU Elementary Laboratory School, NSU Middle Laboratory School, and Provencal Elementary & Junior High School.

It is in the service area of Bossier Parish Community College.[21]

Government

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Parish Administration Administrators
President John Salter
Sheriff Stuart Wright
Assessor Timothy K. Page
School Board Superintendent Grant Eloi

Communities

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Incorporated communities

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City

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Town

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  • Campti (most density populated municipality)

Villages

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Native American Tribes

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Hospital

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Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in Natchitoches
 
Exchange Bank in Natchitoches is the tallest building in Downtown Natchitoches
  • Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (formerly Natchitoches Parish Hospital) owns 96 beds, serving for Natchitoches, Sabine and Winn Parishes.

Prison

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Parish

Name Address Zip Aged
Natchitoches Parish Detention Center 299 Edwina Dr., Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457 16+

Notable people

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  • Curtis Boozman (1898–1979), member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Natchitoches (two terms: 1952–1956 and 1960–1964).[22]
  • Jean Baptiste Brevelle (1698–1754), early 18th century explorer, trader and soldier of Fort Saint Jean Baptiste de Natchitoches. Father of the namesake of Bayou Brevelle and Isle Brevelle. [23]
  • Leopold Caspari (1830–1915), merchant in Cloutierville from 1849 to 1858 and thereafter businessman and banker in Natchitoches. He served nonconsecutively in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature between 1884 and 1914.[24]
  • Monnie T. Cheves (1902–1988), Northwestern State University professor; member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1952 to 1960[25]
  • Charles Milton Cunningham (1877–1936), educator, lawyer, police juror, state senator, editor of The Natchitoches Times[26]
  • William Tharp Cunningham (1871–1952), planter, lawyer, judge of the 11th Judicial District in Natchitoches and Red River parishes, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1908 to 1912, born in Natchitoches Parish in 1871[27]
  • Numa T. Delouche (1888–1965), member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Cloutierville from 1944 to 1948, served alongside Sylvan Friedman of Natchez, Louisiana.
  • Caroline Dormon (1888–1971), naturalist, botanist, and preservationist; born and lived on her family estate of Briarwood in Natchitoches Parish.
  • Anne des Cadeaux Brevelle (unknown-1754), Adai Caddo Native American woman and early settler of Natchitoches. Devout Catholic and mother to the famed explorer of New France, Jean Baptiste Brevelle II, who is the namesake of Isle Brevelle.[28]
  • Abraham Dowden, Democratic political figure.
  • Brothers J. Isaac Friedman (1877–1949) and Leon Friedman (1886–1948) served in the Louisiana House from 1908 to 1916 and 1932 to 1940, respectively. Isaac Friedman also completed two years of a term in the state senate (1922 to 1924), following the resignation of Charles Milton Cunningham. Their nephew, Sylvan Friedman was a member of both houses of the state legislature, serving in the House from 1944 to 1952, and the state senate from 1952 to 1972. The Friedmans came from a large Jewish landholding family in Natchez, Louisiana.
  • Thomas Gilcrease (1890–1962), born in Robeline. He moved as a child with his parents in 1899 to the community of Wealaka in the Creek Nation in Indian Territory, now eastern Oklahoma. Later an oilman and an art collector, he founded the Gilcrease Museum, which he later donated to Tulsa.
  • Lloyd Hendrick (1908–1951), member of the state senate for DeSoto and Caddo parishes, 1940 to 1948; born in Natchitoches Parish.
  • Andrew R. Johnson (1856–1933), Louisiana state senator and former mayor of Homer, Louisiana, in 1901 named and sold lots to establish the village of Ashland in Natchitoches Parish.[29]
  • Ray Tarver (1921–1972), dentist from Natchitoches who represented Natchitoches Parish in the Louisiana House from 1964 to 1968; reared in Hagewood community in Natchitoches Parish[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Natchitoches Parish". Center for Regional Heritage Research. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  4. ^ Lawrence L. Hewitt, Arthur W. Bergeron, Chapter: "Louisiana's Free Men of Color in Gray", in Louisianians in the Civil War, University of Missouri Press, 2002, pp. 110-114
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  6. ^ Fendick, R.B. (2013). Water Resources of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Reston, Va.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  13. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Natchitoches Parish election returns, November 5, 1996". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  15. ^ "Natchitoches Parish election returns, November 7, 2000". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  16. ^ "Natchitoches Parish election returns, November 4, 2008". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  17. ^ "Natchitoches Parish election returns, November 2, 2004". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  18. ^ "Natchitoches Parish election returns, November 6, 2012". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  20. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Natchitoches Parish, LA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 31, 2022. - Text list
  21. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  22. ^ "Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2016" (PDF). house.louisiana.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  23. ^ "Summary Report: Isle Brevelle". United States Geological Service. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Caspari, Leopold". Louisiana Historical Association, A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography (lahistory.org). Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  25. ^ "In Memoriam: Monnie T. Cheves". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. August 17, 1988. p. D3. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  26. ^ "Charles Milton Cunningham". familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  27. ^ "William Tharp Cunningham". genealogy.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  28. ^ "Summary Report: Isle Brevelle". United States Geological Service. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Mike Miller (1925). Henry E. Chambers (ed.). "Andrew R. Johnson". A History of Louisiana. Chicago and New York City: usgarchives.org. pp. 147–148. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  30. ^ "123. Richard David Tarver, Jr". familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
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Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

31°44′N 93°06′W / 31.73°N 93.10°W / 31.73; -93.10

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