Bell City, Louisiana facts for kids

Bell City is a small community in Louisiana, USA. It's in the southeastern part of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. This area is part of the larger Lake Charles metropolitan area.

Even though Bell City is in Calcasieu Parish, some information about it comes from the 70630 ZIP Code. This ZIP Code covers parts of both Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. Bell City is in the Central Time Zone. In 2000, the area had about 892 people living in 385 homes. It covers about 143 square miles of land and 2.75 square miles of water.

Bell City's Beginning: A Look at Its History

How Bell City Got Its Name

Bell City was named in 1902. It was named after A. E. Bell, who helped start and promote the town. A newspaper called the Welsh Rice Belt Journal shared this news.

The new town was built along a railroad line. People quickly started building homes and businesses. They even planned for a railroad station, post office, and a large school. The streets were also being graded.

Bell City was located about 15 miles southwest of Welsh. It was in an area known for growing rice. The new railroad helped connect the town and boost rice farming.

Important Dates in Bell City's Past

• Around 1895: Christian College was built. It had several buildings, including dorms and classrooms.
• January 17, 1907: The Bell City Mercantile Co. was started. This company sold general goods.
• March 24, 1908: The Bell City College officially opened.
• May 31, 1909: The railroad planned to build a new station in Bell City.
• 1918: The current Bell City School opened. Many principals have led the school since then. Stanford Cox was principal for 32 years.
• During World War II (1939–1945): A camp for prisoners of war was set up in Bell City. These prisoners helped local farmers with their work.
• April 4, 1944: The Bell City Library first opened. It was in the elementary school at first. Later, it moved to a new building in 1994. In 2009, the Bell City and Hayes libraries joined together.
• June 5, 1950: The Bell City-Hayes-Holmwood Lions Club was officially formed.
• January 28, 1951: The Broussard Dairy in Bell City earned a top rating for its milk plant.
• 1969: Clarence Theriot became principal of Bell City Schools. This happened when the Hayes and Bell City schools combined. The new gym at Bell City is named after him.

Weather in Bell City

Bell City residents always prepare for hurricane season. This season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

Temperature Details

• The warmest month is usually July. The average high temperature is 91°F.
• The highest temperature ever recorded was 105°F in 2000.
• The coolest month is usually January. The average low temperature is 41°F.
• The lowest temperature ever recorded was 11°F in 1951.

Rainfall Information

• May usually has the most rain, with about 6.06 inches.
• February usually has the least rain, with about 3.27 inches.

Who Lives in Bell City?

Here's a quick look at the people living in the 70630 ZIP Code area, based on the 2000 United States Census:

Fun Outdoors in Bell City

The Bell City Drainage Ditch is a great spot for hunting and fishing. It forms the western edge of the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was created in 1937 to protect waterfowl. It's a key habitat for birds in southwestern Louisiana.

Learning in Bell City

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend Bell City High School. In 2000, the Census showed that many adults in Bell City had finished high school. A good number also had college degrees.

Churches in Bell City

St. John Vianney Church

St. John Vianney Parish was officially started in 1939. It serves the communities of Bell City, Hayes, and Holmwood. Before 1939, priests from nearby towns would visit to hold Mass.

A small chapel called St. Joseph's was built around 1900. However, a storm destroyed it in 1939. The first pastor, Father Mathias J. Cramers, arrived in 1938. He helped build a rectory (a home for the priest) and then a new church. The church was finished and dedicated in December 1940.

Over the years, the church facilities have been improved. There is also a Catechism center for religious education. In 2000, the church served about 375 families.

Other Church Groups

• The Bell City's Knights of Columbus Council 3048 was formed in 1957.
• The Bell City Ladies Altar Society started in 1905.
• The Ladies Altar Society in Hayes, Louisiana was organized in 1952.

Many people from the parish have been honored for their service to the church. These honors include awards from the Pope and the local Diocese.

Many pastors have served St. John Vianney Parish over the years. They include Father Mathias J. Cramers, Father Daniel Habetz, and Father V. Wayne LeBleu, among others.