Arcola, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arcola, Louisiana
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 Arcola, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
Arcola, Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Tangipahoa |
| Elevation | 41 ft (12 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 985 |
| GNIS feature ID | 553313 |
| FIPS code | 22-02760 |
Arcola is a small place in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, in the United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger parish (like a county).
What's in a Name? The Story of Arcola
Many people in Arcola believe the name came from a special time in history. In 1853, there was a serious illness called the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans. During this time, some Italian families moved away from the city to find a safer place. They settled in the area that became Arcola.
It's thought that these first settlers named their new home after a small town in Italy called Arcole. This town is located in the province of Verona, which is a region in Italy. This connection shows how early settlers often brought names and memories from their home countries to new places.
Arcola's Past Name: Prospect Hill
In the mid-1800s, Arcola was also known by another name: Prospect Hill. This name might have come from the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern railway. This railroad was built in 1851 and passed right through the community. It's possible the railroad company gave the area the name "Prospect Hill."
The two names caused a bit of confusion back then. In 1855, a legal case went all the way to the Louisiana Supreme Court. It was called Joseph Lallande vs William G. Hope. The problem was that a person named William G. Hope lived in Arcola. However, a bill he was supposed to pay, called a promissory note, was sent to "Prospect Hill." Because the names were different, he tried to argue that he didn't have to pay the bill. This case shows how important names can be, even for small communities!
