Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of
Natchitoches ParishNatchitoches Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Natchitoches. As of 2000, the population was 39,080. This is the heart of the Cane River Louisiana Creole community...
,
LouisianaThe State of Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Established in 1714 by
Louis Juchereau de St. DenisLouis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis was born in Beauport, New France to Nicolas Juchereau and Marie Thérèse Giffard, the eleventh of twelve children. St. Denis was a French-Canadian soldier and explorer most known for his exploration and development of the Louisiana and Texas regions.His parents...
as part of
French LouisianaLouisiana or French Louisiana was the name of an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682-1763 and 1800-03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV of France, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle...
, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February 5, 1819. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the
Louisiana PurchaseThe Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of the French territory Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
. Natchitoches's sister city is
Nacogdoches, TexasNacogdoches is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. The 2000 census recorded the city's population to be 29,914, while in 2007 it was estimated to have reached 32,006. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas. Nacogdoches is a sister city of...
. The population was 17,865 at the 2000 census. It is the home of
Northwestern State UniversityNorthwestern State University is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana...
, founding as a
normal schoolA normal school was a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose was to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
in 1884.
Natchitoches is the principal city of the Natchitoches Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Natchitoches Parish.
History
Natchitoches was established in 1714 by
Louis Juchereau de St. DenisLouis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis was born in Beauport, New France to Nicolas Juchereau and Marie Thérèse Giffard, the eleventh of twelve children. St. Denis was a French-Canadian soldier and explorer most known for his exploration and development of the Louisiana and Texas regions.His parents...
. It is the oldest permanent settlement within the borders of the 1803
Louisiana PurchaseThe Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of the French territory Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
. Natchitoches was founded as a French outpost on the
Red RiverThis page is about the tributary of the Mississippi River; for the tributary of Lake Winnipeg, see the Red River of the North.
The Red River, or sometimes The Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers located in the United States of America. The...
for trade with Spanish-controlled
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, with the French presence beginning as early as 1699. The settlement's site was established near a village of
Natchitoches IndiansThe Natchitoches or Natchitoch were one of the indigenous tribes in Louisiana of the Caddo Native Americans. In the early 17th century they were joined by some of the remnants of the Cadodaquiou, a tribe that had been largely killed and enslaved by the Chickasaw. They settled on the Cane River...
which give the city its name.
After the Louisiana Purchase, Natchitoches experienced a population boom, and several
plantationA plantation is a large farm or estate, usually in a tropical or subtropical country, where crops are grown for sale in distant markets, rather than for local consumption. The term plantation is informal and not precisely defined....
s were built along the
Red RiverThis page is about the tributary of the Mississippi River; for the tributary of Lake Winnipeg, see the Red River of the North.
The Red River, or sometimes The Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers located in the United States of America. The...
. However, the course of the river shifted, bypassing Natchitoches and cutting off its lucrative connection with the Mississippi River. A lake was left in the river's previous location.
It became known as
Cane River LakeCane River Lake is a 35 mi oxbow lake formed from a portion of the Red River in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. It runs throughout the Natchitoches' historic district and is famous for the numerous plantations on its banks.-See also:...
. The lake runs through the city’s downtown historic district and Plantation Country. It serves as the spring break training location for numerous
crewRowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
teams, such as
Kansas State UniversityKansas State University, officially named Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Science but commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
,
University of KansasThe University of Kansas , the State of Kansas Flagship university , is a public research university with campuses located in Lawrence, Kansas City, and Overland Park, Kansas with the main campus being located atop Mount Oread in Lawrence...
,
Wichita State UniversityWichita State University is an American state-supported university located in the city of Wichita, Kansas. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current President is Dr. Donald Beggs....
,
Murray State UniversityMurray State University, located in the town of Murray, Kentucky, is an approximately 10,000-student, four-year public university. Murray State maintains a strong academic reputation and has been rewarded with high marks when compared with other regional public universities in U.S. News & World...
, and Washington University.
Natchitoches was the site of the 1973 plane crash that claimed the life of singer
Jim CroceJames Joseph "Jim" Croce was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1960 and 1973, Croce released six studio albums and eleven singles. His singles "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle" were both number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts...
. Croce had just performed a concert on campus for Northwestern State University students at Prather Coliseum but was killed less than an hour later in a plane crash headed to
ShermanSherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2008 was 38,077. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
,
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
. The pilot was unable to climb over a pecan tree, possibly due to a fatal heart attack since he had excellent visibility.
In 2005, the
cartoonistA cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. Traditionally much of this work was, and still is, humorous, and is intended primarily for entertainment purposes...
and
historianAn historian is an individual who studies and writes about history, and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all events in time...
Pap DeanPreston Allen Dean, Jr., known as Pap Dean , is a cartoonist who was employed for thirty-eight years as chief illustrator and editorial cartoonist for the Shreveport Times in Shreveport, the largest newspaper in North Louisiana...
published
Historic Natchitoches: Beauty of the Cane, a study of the history, people, and attractions of the historic city, considered the first or second oldest in the state, with
HarrisonburgHarrisonburg is a village in and the parish seat of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 746 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, the seat of
Catahoula ParishCatahoula Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Harrisonburg, located on the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern boundary of the parish. In 2000, the population of the parish was 10,920.-History:...
, being the other original settlement.
Geography
Natchitoches is located at (31.754123, -93.095085) and has an elevation of .
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the city has a total area of 25.1 square miles (65.1 km²), of which, 21.6 square miles (55.8 km²) of it is land and 3.6 square miles (9.2 km²) of it (14.21%) is water.
A long lake was formed from a portion of the
Red RiverThis page is about the tributary of the Mississippi River; for the tributary of Lake Winnipeg, see the Red River of the North.
The Red River, or sometimes The Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers located in the United States of America. The...
when it changed course, which is now known as
Cane River LakeCane River Lake is a 35 mi oxbow lake formed from a portion of the Red River in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. It runs throughout the Natchitoches' historic district and is famous for the numerous plantations on its banks.-See also:...
.
Natchitoches is located about:
- Alexandria 50 Miles
- Shreveport 70 Miles
- New Orleans, LA 250 Miles
- Houston, TX 230 Miles
- Dallas, TX 255 Miles
|
Little Rock, AR 260 Miles
Jackson, MS 230 Miles
Monroe, Louisiana 109 Miles
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 435 Miles |
Geology
Soils in this area are a combination of leaf mold and red clays, sand and sediments. The area is part of the Chestnut Salt Dome.
Climate
Weather-wise, Natchitoches lies in a boundary region that separates the plains of
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
from the consistently humid Gulf Coast. This gives Natchitoches summers a heavy dose of both heat and humidity. Winters in Natchitoches are relatively mild, with measurable snowfall once every 5–10 years.
Natchitoches averages of rain per year. The City is also in the area of producing severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes Natchitoches has installed some Whelen Sirens
Economy
In the 1970s, Natchitoches experienced an economic downturn that resulted in a sixty-five percent vacancy in the commercial district. However, because of efforts to revitalize the city, vacancy is now about 1 percent.
The Port of Natchitoches—a river port on the
Red RiverThis page is about the tributary of the Mississippi River; for the tributary of Lake Winnipeg, see the Red River of the North.
The Red River, or sometimes The Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers located in the United States of America. The...
--is located off of the east bound part of
U.S. Route 84U.S. Route 84 is an east-west United States highway. It started as a short Georgia-Alabama route in the original 1926 scheme, but now extends all the way to Colorado. The highway's eastern terminus is a short distance east of Midway, Georgia, at an intersection with I-95. The road continues...
just outside Natchitoches. The port exports lumber from stockyards onsite, as
ForestryForestry is the art and science of managing forests, tree plantations, and related natural resources. The main goal of forestry is to create and implement systems that allow forests to continue a sustainable continuation of environmental supplies and services...
is a large industry in the area as well.
The
Natchitoches Regional AirportNatchitoches Regional Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles south of the central business district of Natchitoches, a city in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States.Although most U.S...
serves cities (via FBO) such as Baton Rouge, Dallas, Houston, Little Rock, New Orleans, Monroe, and Shreveport. It is also adjacent to
Northwestern State UniversityNorthwestern State University is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana...
; together they offer state-of-the-art flight training. Currently the airport is being renovated to become one of the country's most advanced non-towered airports.
The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is also based here. They handle over 6 species of fish and other wildlife.
The city has to do little to promote its tourism industry, which brings a host of business during the holiday seasons of
ChristmasChristmas , also referred to as Christmas Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The day marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. The nativity of Jesus, which is the basis for the anno Domini...
and New Year's. The
Natchitoches Christmas FestivalThe Natchitoches Christmas Festival is held annually in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Christmasfestival is expanded throughout the community each year but is centered around the historic district of Natchitoches. The festival is a major tourist attraction for the area, drawing an estimated 100,000...
is a well known celebration of the holidays for locals.
Since completion of
Interstate 49Interstate 49 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route description:I-49...
, many business have either moved or have been built outside the city's central area. Gas stations and hotels have developed in this area and serve many of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival visitors.
Pecans are a staple of the area with a pecan orchard located on the old Little Eva Plantation.
Natchitoches is an economic hub for the entire parish of the same name.
In 1998, Natchitoches was named one of the top six places in the United States to retire by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine.
Natchitoches is the home of the oldest
general storeThe general store or general merchandise store is a store that carries a general line of merchandise.In Australia, Canada and the United States, a store named or subtitled "general store" is traditionally a retailer located in a small town or in a rural area...
in Louisiana, the still operating Kaffie-Frederick, Inc., General Mercantile, located on Front Street. The store was co-founded by an ancestor of
AlexandriaAlexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes...
businessman and former city commissioner Arnold Jack Rosenthal.
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 17,865 people, 6,113 households, and 3,631 families residing in the city. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 828.5 people per square mile (319.9/km²). There were 6,731 housing units at an average density of 312.2/sq mi (120.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.72% White, 53.00% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.30% of the population.
There were 6,113 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.5 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,111, and the median income for a family was $30,396. Males had a median income of $28,601 versus $17,859 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the city was $12,642. About 26.7% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.0% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
The Natchitoches Meat Pie is one of the official state foods of Louisiana. It is known as a regional delicacy of North Louisiana. (See List of U.S. state foods.)
Natchitoches has long been known for its popular Christmas lighting festival which is held the first Saturday in December. The lights continue to brighten the
Cane RiverCane River is a 35-mile long lake formed from a portion of the Red River that is located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it has been best known as the site of a historic Creole de couleur culture that has centers upon the National Historic Landmark Melrose...
until after New Year's Day. In 2009 the festival celebrated its 83rd year.
Several motion pictures have been filmed in Natchitoches, including
Steel MagnoliasSteel Magnolias is a 1989 comedy-drama film about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The movie is based on a 1987 off-Broadway play by Robert Harling and on the author's experience with the death of his sister.- Synopsis :...
, The Man in the Moon
, The Horse SoldiersThe Horse Soldiers is a 1959 western film, set in the American Civil War, directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, William Holden and Constance Towers...
, NBC's The Year Without a Santa Claus
, The American Standard
, as well as a Lifetime Television's series Scarlett.
Cityscape
Though Natchitoches has few multi-story buildings, it has retained much of its historic European-style architecture. The city is a mesh of
wrought ironthumb|The [[Eiffel tower]] is constructed from [[puddle iron]], a form of wrought ironWrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content, in comparison to steel, and has fibrous inclusions, known as slag. This is what gives it a "grain" resembling wood, which is visible when it is etched...
,
stuccoStucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as a coating for walls and ceilings and for decoration...
and red brick.
The city still has one of the original brick streets (Front Street) which the historical society protects from alterations. The city of Natchitoches recently completed a restoration project to repair the century plus old brick Front Street. During this process workers removed each brick one by one, numbered them, cleaned them, and then replaced them after utilities, drainage, and foundation were repaired beneath.
Tourism
The
Cane River National Heritage AreaThe Cane River National Heritage Area is a United States National Heritage Area in the state of Louisiana. The heritage area is known for its spectacular Creole architecture as well as numerous other sites that preserve the multi-cultural history of the area...
is a 116,000-acre area which includes many sites such as
Oakland PlantationOakland Plantation was originally known as the Jean Pierre Emmanuel Prud'homme Plantation. It is also known as Bermuda. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001, it is part of Cane River Creole National Historical Park near Natchitoches, Louisiana.The plantation is associated with Atahoe...
,
Melrose PlantationMelrose Plantation, also known as Yucca Plantation, is a National Historic Landmark in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches owns the plantation and provides guided tours of the main house and its outbuildings.-History:The National Park Service...
, Badin-Roque House,
Magnolia PlantationMagnolia Plantation is a site in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001. The plantation is included in the Cane River Creole National Historical Park...
,
Kate Chopin HouseKate Chopin House, also known as Bayou Folk Museum or Alexic Cloutier House, is a house in Cloutierville, Louisiana. It was the home of Kate Chopin, author of The Awakening, after her marriage....
, Cherokee Plantation, Cane River Heritage Scenic Byway, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site,
National Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance. All NHLs are listed in the National Register of Historic Places...
District (Old Courthouse Museum, Bishop Martin Museum, Landmarks in Time Exhibit), and the Los Adaes State Historic Site. Because of this richness of culture, the area is one of the destinations on the
Louisiana African American Heritage TrailLouisiana African-American Heritage Trail is a cultural heritage trail with 26 sites designated in 2008 by the state of Louisiana, from New Orleans along the Mississippi River to Baton Rouge and Shreveport, with sites in small towns and plantations also included. In New Orleans several sites are...
newly designated by the state.
Natchitoches, a popular tourism area of the state, is equipped to serve visitors with eleven national chain hotels, and nearly fifty bed and breakfast inns, including
the Steel Magnolia House.
Natchitoches attracts over one million visitors annually. The city is known as a retiree-friendly city. In 2006 Natchitoches was awarded the Great American Main Street Award for the effort the community has put into revitalizing and restoring much of the historic district.
The
Natchitoches meat pieThe Natchitoches meat pie is a regional dish from northern Louisiana. It is one of the official state foods of Louisiana.Ingredients include ground beef, ground pork, onions, peppers, garlic, oil, and a pie shell. Natchitoches meat pies are often fried in peanut oil because of the oil's high...
is a regional dish from northern Louisiana. It is one of the official state foods of Louisiana.
The city's tourism center is the downtown river walk. This includes Front Street, which becomes Jefferson at the Northwestern State University end. Front Street is the jewel of the city. It overlooks the river walk and is bordered by an assortment of shops and boutiques. The city has identified this area as the Historical District. The
Historical SocietyA historical society is an organization that collects, researches, interprets and preserves information or items of historical interest. Generally, a historical society focuses on a specific geographical area, such as a county or town or subject, such as aviation or rail. Many historical...
maintains the area through regulations on changes and restorations. Natchitoches has a mini "Walk of Fame" located in the Historical District of the city.
While visiting the area, tourists may notice many unusual structures; these are many of the
Natchitoches Christmas FestivalThe Natchitoches Christmas Festival is held annually in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Christmasfestival is expanded throughout the community each year but is centered around the historic district of Natchitoches. The festival is a major tourist attraction for the area, drawing an estimated 100,000...
lights. The city recently built a small Convention center located on Second Street, which holds many city events.
The Bayou Pierre Alligator Park is a major tourist attraction where tourists may feed the alligators, and dine and shop. The park also teaches school children how to respect nature and the conservation of nature through its many habitats.
Natchitoches is also home to a branch of the Kisatchie National Forest, a project promoted by the naturalist
Caroline DormonCaroline Elizabeth Dormon was a botanist, horticulturist, ornithologist, historian, archeologist, preservationist, naturalist, conservationist, and author from Louisiana. She was born in modest circumstances at Briarwood, the family home in northern Natchitoches Parish, to James L. Dormon and the...
to preserve regional natural wonders.
Opened December 2005, the Natchitoches Events Center is in the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District. Located at 750 Second Street. The facility boasts a meeting facility, a exhibit hall with three meeting rooms, a board room and full-size catering kitchen.
March
- Blooming on the Bricks Festival
- Art Along the Bricks Festival
- Ashland Spring Festival - Ashland
- Sacred Places Tour
- Brown Bag Concerts
- Steak & Burger- benefiting local Boys & Girls Club
April
- Jazz/R&B Festival
- Rebel State Spring Festival
- American Cemetery Tour
- State Historic Area
- Brown Bag Concerts
June
- Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival
- Cane River Green Market
- Natchez Heritage Festival - Natchez
||
July
- Cane River Green Market
- Celebration on the Cane
- Natchitoches / NSU Folk Festival
- Fourth Of July Fireworks
September
- Cane River Zydeco Festival
- Marthaville Good Ole Days
- Meat Pie Festival & Triathlon
- Boogie on the Bricks - Follows every NSU home game
- River Run- Motorcycle poker run sponsored by Indepenent Motorcycle Riders Association benefiting local Boys & Girls Club
October
- Annual Natchitoches Pilgrimage
- Smokin’ on the Red
- Witch Way to Main Street
- Boogie on the Bricks
- Celebrity Chef- featuring native cruisine, local eateries and LA chefs, benefiting local Boys & Girls Club
November
- Marathon Rowing Championship
The Marathon Rowing Championship is a continuous rowing regatta on the Cane River Lake in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Northwestern State University is the official host of the regatta. The Marathon begins near the Melrose Plantation and ends at Front Street in Natchitoches. The regatta is open to all...
- Festival of Lights (Premiere of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival lights.) (Fest. Est. 1927)
- Holiday Open House
December
- Fireworks Every Saturday Night
- Barge Parade
- Christmas Festival
- Holiday Tour of Homes
- “Fete Hiver”
- Christmas in the Park - Rebel State Historic Area
- New Year's Eve
|}
Health care and medicine
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is a 78-bed facility that includes 45 medical/surgical beds and a 112-bed skilled nursing home.
Rehabilitation treatment is at the PRISM Center for physical, occupational and speech therapy, sports medicine, industrial medicine, wound care and more.
Colleges and universities
- Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana...
- Louisiana Scholars' College
The Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State University prides itself on being Louisiana's only designated four-year, selective-admissions honors college in the liberal arts and sciences.-History:...
- Louisiana Technical College
Louisiana Technical College is an institute for professional technical education in the state of Louisiana, with campuses across the state...
The Northwestern Campus is also home to the
Louisiana Scholars' CollegeThe Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State University prides itself on being Louisiana's only designated four-year, selective-admissions honors college in the liberal arts and sciences.-History:...
, the state's designated honors college for the study of the liberal arts and sciences.
Public schools
Natchitoches Parish School BoardNatchitoches Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States.It serves Natchitoches Parish.-High schools:* Lakeview High School * Natchitoches Central High School...
operates many public schools. They include:
- Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Central High School is a public high school in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States. It is a part of the Natchitoches Parish School Board....
- NSU Middle Laboratory School
- Weaver Elementary
- East Natchitoches Elementary
- George L. Parks Elementary
- L.P. Vaughn Elementary
- Natchitoches Magnet School
Private schools
St. Mary's High SchoolSt. Mary's High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana.St. Mary's mascot is the tiger, and its school colors are blue and white....
is in Natchitoches.
Libraries
- Natchitoches Parish Library (Matt DeFord art display on the second and third floors, an art exhibit in the back entrance foyer from the Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery.)
- Cammie G. Henry Research Center (Louisiana
The State of Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Books, rare books, NSU Archives, microfims, maps, oral history tapes, archival materials.)
- Natchitoches Genealogy Library ( French
France , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
records dating from 1776, conveyances, mortgages, marriages. Natchithoches Parish Census records from 1820 to 1920. International Genealogical IndexThe International Genealogical Index is a database of genealogical records, compiled from several sources, and maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
(IGI) records Natchitoches Times microfilm records from March 1903 to October 1996.
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts
The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts was named a Public Elite by Newsweek. *
See ArticleThe State of Louisiana administers to the
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the ArtsThe Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana on the campus of Northwestern State University . It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology .- Background :LSMSA is the brainchild of...
. The
Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the ArtsThe Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana on the campus of Northwestern State University . It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology .- Background :LSMSA is the brainchild of...
, a boarding school for academically gifted high school students from Louisiana, is located in Natchitoches on the campus of Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Notable people
- Victor Bussie
Victor V. Bussie retired in 1997 as the 41-year unopposed president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, having first assumed the mantle of union leadership in 1956. Observers often described him as the most significant non-elected "official" in his state's politics...
, president of the Louisiana AFL-CIOThe American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL-CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States and Canada, made up of 65 national and international unions, together representing more than 10 million workers. It...
from 1956-1997, was born near Natchitoches in 1919.
- Ada Jack Carver Snell
Ada Jack Carver Snell was an American short story writer originally from the historic city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.-Background:...
, short storyA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format or medium tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels or books...
writer, was born in Natchitoches in 1890.
- Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin was an American author of short stories and novels, mostly of a Louisiana Creole background...
, a short story writer and novelist, managed a plantation in Cloutierville south of Natchitoches in the late 19th century for a time after the death of her husband.
- Robert DeBlieux
Robert Buford DeBlieux, usually known as Bobby DeBlieux , is a historian, preservationist, painter, author, businessman, and a former Democratic mayor of Natchitoches, the oldest city in the U.S...
(born 1933), the mayor"Mayor" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government....
from 1976-1980, is known primarily for his work as an historical preservationistA preservationist generally refers to one who wishes to preserve a historic structure from demolition or degradation.Persons who work to preserve ancient or endangered languages are also referred to as preservationists....
in downtown Natchitoches and the Cane RiverCane River is a 35-mile long lake formed from a portion of the Red River that is located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it has been best known as the site of a historic Creole de couleur culture that has centers upon the National Historic Landmark Melrose...
areas.
- Jean Doerge, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Webster Parish, was born south of Natchitoches in 1937.
- Caroline Dormon
Caroline Elizabeth Dormon was a botanist, horticulturist, ornithologist, historian, archeologist, preservationist, naturalist, conservationist, and author from Louisiana. She was born in modest circumstances at Briarwood, the family home in northern Natchitoches Parish, to James L. Dormon and the...
, a naturalistNatural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards the observational than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research that is published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, Natural history is the systematic...
and preservationist, lived in Natchitoches Parish. She was the driving force behind the establishment of the Kisatchie National ForestKisatchie National Forest, the only national forest in Louisiana, is located in the state's old growth piney hills and hardwood bottoms of seven central and northern parishes. It totals more than of public lands....
.
- George Doherty
George E. Doherty was a National Football League player from 1944-1947, who thereafter was the defensive coach of the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs in Ruston and the head coach of the Northwestern State University Demons in Natchitoches from 1972-1974.-Early years and education:Doherty was...
was a former professional footballAmerican football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, and often as Gridiron or Tackle football outside North America, is a competitive team sport known for combining strategy with physical play. The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the...
player who was the head coach of the Northwestern State University Demons from 1972-1974. The athletic offices are named in his honor.
- Paul Lee Foshee, Sr.
Paul Lee Foshee, Sr. , is a retired crop duster from Natchitoches, Louisiana, who served nonconsecutively in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature during the 1960s and 1970s. From 1960-1964, beginning at the age of twenty-seven, Foshee served a single four-year term as a state...
, a Natchitoches crop duster served in the Louisiana House from 1960-1964 and the state Senate from 1972-1976.
- Sylvan Friedman
Sylvan N. Friedman was a Louisiana politician. Friedman was a rare Jewish member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature, having served from Natchitoches Parish in the House of Representatives from 1944-1952 and then in the State Senate from 1952 until his retirement in 1972.-Early years...
, a farmerA farmer is a person who raises living organisms for food or raw materials.- Definition :The term farmer usually applies to a person who grows field crops, and/or manages orchards or vineyards, or raises livestock or poultry such as chicken and cows...
and rancher was a member of the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury from 1932-1944, the state House of Representatives from 1944-1952, and the Louisiana State Senate from 1952-1972. NSU named its student union building in his honor.
- Grits Gresham
Claude Hamilton "Grits" Gresham, Jr. was an internationally-known American sportsman, author, photographer and television personality who hosted ABC's The American Sportsman series from 1966-1979...
was a nationally-known sportsmanSportsman may refer to:* Sportsperson: someone who enjoys sport* Sportsmanship, conforming to all the rules of game and acting in a fair manner towards the opponent* Gun rights supporter * Sportsman's Association UK gun rights group...
, outdoorsman, authorAn author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created...
, and host of ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. It first broadcast on television in 1948...
's The American SportsmanThe American Sportsman was a television series from 1965 to 1986 on ABC which presented filmed highlights of hunting and/or fishing trips involving the program's hosts and celebrities. It was typically presented on Sunday afternoons, frequently following coverage of live sporting events...
television series from 1966-1979. A noted environmentalist, he resided on Cane River LakeCane River is a 35-mile long lake formed from a portion of the Red River that is located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it has been best known as the site of a historic Creole de couleur culture that has centers upon the National Historic Landmark Melrose...
.
- Robert Harling
Sir Robert Harling was an early member of the landed gentry, soldier and political strongman. The Norfolk villages of East Harling, West Harling, Harling Market and Larling were greatly under his control. Harling was a knight of the Shire, a Lord of the Manor and comptroller of the house of Edward...
, a playwrightA playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or drama. These works are usually written to be performed in front of a live audience by actors...
and Hollywood screenwriter (born 1951), is a Natchitoches native. His Steel MagnoliasSteel Magnolias is a 1989 comedy-drama film about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The movie is based on a 1987 off-Broadway play by Robert Harling and on the author's experience with the death of his sister.- Synopsis :...
is based on the life and death of his sister. Harling has also written First Wives Club, Evening Star, and Laws of Attraction.
- Bobby Hebert
Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., is an American sportscaster but best known as a retired American football quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He played professionally in the USFL and NFL from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons...
, American footballAmerican football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, and often as Gridiron or Tackle football outside North America, is a competitive team sport known for combining strategy with physical play. The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the...
quarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the center, in the middle of the offensive line. Quarterbacks are the leaders of the offensive team, responsible for calling the play in the huddle...
; New Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints play in the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League ....
Hall of Fame
- Bishop Presley Hutchens
Bishop D. Presley Hutchens is a bishop in the Anglican Catholic Church in charge of the Mission Society. Bishop Hutchens serves at St. Hilda of Whitby Parish Natchitoches, Louisiana....
, the Anglican Catholic ChurchThe Anglican Catholic Church is a worldwide body of Anglican Christians in the continuing Anglican movement which grew out of the 1977 Congress of St. Louis. The Congress was called in response to the Episcopal Church's heavy revision of the Book of Common Prayer, which was felt to abandon a true...
serves at St. Hilda's Anglican Catholic Church.
- Marques Johnson
Marques Kevin Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks , Los Angeles Clippers , and Golden State Warriors ....
, NBA player for the Milwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They play in the National Basketball Association . The current franchise owner is Herb Kohl.- Early years :...
, Los Angeles ClippersThe Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the National Basketball Association and are members of the NBA Western Conference's Pacific Division. The club's home games are played at the Staples Center, which they share with the Los...
, and the Golden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
- Donald G. Kelly
Donald Gene Kelly, usually known as Don Kelly , is a prominent trial lawyer and American Quarter Horse breeder in Natchitoches who served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1976-1996. His tenure covered three of the four terms of Democratic Governor Edwin Washington Edwards...
, Natchitoches attorney who specializes in criminal lawThe term criminal law, sometimes called penal law, refers to any of various bodies of rules in different jurisdictions whose common characteristic is the potential for unique and often severe impositions as punishment for failure to comply...
and retirementRetirement is the point where a person stops employment completely . A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours...
issues. He served in the Louisiana State SenateThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1976-1996.
- Marietta LeBreton
Marietta Marie LeBreton was a primarily Louisiana historian affiliated for forty-five years with Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana....
, historian who wrote the centennial history of Northwestern State University (1884-1984).
- Pat Listach
Patrick Alan Listach is a former Major League Baseball shortstop, minor league manager and is currently the third base coach for the Washington Nationals.-Amateur career:...
, MLB player for the Milwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Houston AstrosThe Houston Astros is a major league baseball team located in Houston, Texas. The Astros are a member of the Central Division. From 2000 to the present, the Astros have played their home games at Minute Maid Park . The Astros joined MLB under the name Colt .45s along with the New York Mets in...
, third base coach of the Washington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly-built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK...
.
- Jimmy D. Long
Jimmy Dale Long, Sr. , is the current chairman of the University of Louisiana System board of supervisors and a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He represented District 23 from 1968 until 2000, being the "dean" of the Louisiana House when he returned to private...
is a former DemocraticThe Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. It is the oldest political party in continuous operation in the United States and it is one of the oldest parties in the world. In the U.S...
member of the Louisiana House of RepresentativesThe Louisiana House of Representatives is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The House is composed of 105 Representatives, each of whom represents approximately 42,500 people...
who served from the Natchitoches-based district from 1968-2000. His younger brother, Gerald LongGerald I. Long , is a rare Republican member of the traditionally Democratic Long political dynasty in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Specifically, he is a third cousin of the late Governors Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Earl Kemp Long...
, is a RepublicanThe Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the Grand Old Party or the GOP, despite being the younger of the two major parties. In the U.S...
member of the Louisiana State SenateThe Louisiana State Senate is the upper house of the state legislature of Louisiana. All Senators serve four year terms and are assigned multiple committees to work on...
from a six-parish district also based about Natchitoches.
- Rickey L. Nowlin
Rickey L. "Rick" Nowlin is a prominent Natchitoches engineer and businessman who is a freshman Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Nowlin and State Senator Gerald I. Long are the first Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Natchitoches Parish in their state's...
and Gerald Long are the first Republicans to represent Natchitoches Parish in the Louisiana House and Louisiana Senate since Reconstruction. They assumed their legislative seats on January 14, 2008. In 2007, Nowlin defeated Joe Sampite, a Democrat who served as mayor"Mayor" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government....
of Natchitoches from 1980-2000, for the right to succeed Representative Taylor TownsendTaylor Townsend is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., played by Autumn Reeser.-Personality:Taylor does not get much attention from her mother and Reeser described her character's "desperate ambition" as a result of troubles in her homelife.Described as the "preppy,...
, who failed in a Senate race against Gerald Long.
- Ed Orgeron, American football
American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, and often as Gridiron or Tackle football outside North America, is a competitive team sport known for combining strategy with physical play. The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the...
coach
- W. Ray Scott
Walter Ray Scott, Sr., usually known as W. Ray Scott was from 1960 to 1976 the Democratic mayor of Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana...
(1923-2008) served as mayor of Natchitoches from 1960-1976, during which time he worked to expand and procure university status for Northwestern State University. He also expanded the city water supply from Sibley Lake.
- Thomas Taylor Townsend
Thomas Taylor Townsend, known as Taylor Townsend , is an attorney from Natchitoches, Louisiana, who served as a Democrat in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2000-2008. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former Louisiana State Senator Donald G. Kelly, in the firm Kelly, Townsend &...
(born 1963). an attorney, served as the Natchitoches Parish state representative from 2000-2008.
- Trini Triggs
Trini Triggs is an American country music artist. In 1998, he released a self-titled album for MCG/Curb Records; produced by Chuck Howard and Anthony Smith, the album produced three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts that year...
(born August 8, 1965) is an American Country musicCountry music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains...
singer who was born and reared in Natchitoches. He holds occasional small concerts on the Cane River.
- Arthur C. Watson
Arthur Chopin Watson was an attorney, state legislator, civic leader, philanthropist, and chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party from 1968–1976. He was afflicted with polio in infancy and lost the use of both legs, and his mother died when he was only seven...
(1909-1984) was a Natchitoches attorney who served in the state House of Representatives from 1940-1944 and later as chairman of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee.
- Eugene P. Watson
Eugene Payne Watson was the head librarian and professor of library science at Northwestern State University in his native Natchitoches, Louisiana, from 1940 until his death. He fought to gain greater academic recognition of librarians...
(1911-1964), brother of Arthur Watson, was the NSU librarianA librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs. Typically, librarians work in a public or college library, an elementary or secondary school media...
for whom the university library is named.
Noted events
Natchitoches received numerous New Orleans evacuees due to
Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest, in the history of the United States...
. Many college students from New Orleans were transferred to
Northwestern State UniversityNorthwestern State University is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana...
to continue their education.
Steel MagnoliasSteel Magnolias is a 1989 comedy-drama film about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The movie is based on a 1987 off-Broadway play by Robert Harling and on the author's experience with the death of his sister.- Synopsis :...
was filmed here, starring Julia RobertsJulia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became well known during the early 1990s after starring in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman opposite Richard Gere, which grossed $463 million worldwide...
, Sally FieldSally Margaret Field is a 2x Academy Award, 2x Golden Globe, 3x Emmy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress winner, American actress. She became a household name at the age of 20 as Sister Bertrille in the 1960s sitcom The Flying Nun. She has won two Oscars: one for Norma Rae in...
, Daryl HannahDaryl Christine Hannah is an American film actress. After making her screen debut in 1978, Hannah starred in a number of Hollywood films throughout the 1980s notably Blade Runner, Splash, Wall Street and Roxanne and in 2003-4 received acclaim for her role in the Kill Bill series.-Early life:Hannah...
, Shirley MacLaineShirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, dancer, activist, and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
, Dolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best-known for her work in country music....
, and Olympia Dukakis-Personal life:Dukakis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of Alexandra and Constantine S. Dukakis. Her parents were Greek immigrants to the United States, her father from Anatolia and her mother from Peloponnese...
, and The Horse SoldiersThe Horse Soldiers is a 1959 western film, set in the American Civil War, directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, William Holden and Constance Towers...
, starring
William HoldenWilliam Holden was an American film actor.Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954, and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974....
and
John WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , born Marion Robert Morrison, better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and has become an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive voice, walk and height...
.
In 1973, singer-songwriter
Jim CroceJames Joseph "Jim" Croce was an American singer-songwriter. Between 1960 and 1973, Croce released six studio albums and eleven singles. His singles "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle" were both number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts...
was killed when his plane crashed as he was leaving the city.
External links