Castor, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castor, Louisiana
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Village
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Castor Village Hall
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Location of Castor in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Bienville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.19 sq mi (3.08 km2) |
| • Land | 1.19 sq mi (3.08 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 230 |
| • Density | 193.12/sq mi (74.58/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71016
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| Area code(s) | 318 |
| FIPS code | 22-13260 |
Castor is a small village located in Bienville Parish in northern Louisiana, United States. It was founded in 1900. The name "Castor" comes from a Latin word meaning beaver. This is different from an old story that said the name was from Native American languages.
In 2020, about 230 people lived in Castor. The village has its own ZIP code, 71016. Some smaller towns nearby also use Castor's ZIP code.
Contents
History of Castor Village
Castor During the Civil War
During the Civil War, Castor was important for supplying salt to the Confederacy. A salt factory was located west of Castor. Many young men from the area joined the war, forming groups like the Castor Guards.
The Smith Family Story
Dr. Dempsey Sullivan was a doctor who visited patients by riding a horse. His daughter, Willie Sullivan, married Sam Smith. They had 21 children! Most of their children who passed away are buried at the New Ebenezer Cemetery.
In 1950, the Sam and Willie Sullivan Smith family, one of Castor's oldest families, faced a terrible tornado. Six family members were killed. Their home was completely destroyed, but a bucket on their water well was left untouched. Later, the family sold most of their land.
Railroad and Nature Trail
A project called "Louisiana rails to trails" is turning an old Kansas City Southern Railway track into a nature trail. This trail will go through the middle of Castor when it is finished. It will be a great place for outdoor activities.
Schools and Buildings
The first school in Castor was in an old Masonic lodge building. By 1912, Castor State Bank opened on North Front Street. In 1929, the bank and other buildings burned down. A new two-story brick bank was built. The top floor was used by the Masonic lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. This building also burned down in 1983, and the lodge records were lost. A new lodge hall was built in 1985.
Tornado in 2000
On April 23, 2000, a powerful tornado hit Castor. It caused a lot of damage to buildings and businesses. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt. The school and many businesses had to close for several weeks to repair the damage.
Natural Gas Discovery
Between 2007 and 2008, a huge amount of natural gas was found under northwest Louisiana, including Castor. This area is called the Haynesville Shale. A large part of this gas deposit was being developed near Castor.
Geography and Landscape
Castor is located at 32°15′10″N 93°9′54″W / 32.25278°N 93.16500°W. The village covers about 1.2 square miles (3.08 square kilometers) of land.
What Castor Looks Like
Even though Castor looks flat and surrounded by trees, it actually sits in a valley. This valley can make it hard to get cell phone service. Recently, a new cell tower was built nearby, which has improved phone reception.
The main part of Castor is where three highways meet: LA 4, LA 153 (also called Front Street), and LA 507. This intersection has a four-way stop light. The village limits extend about a quarter mile in all directions from this spot.
Castor Creek is a small river that flows into Black Lake Bayou. This bayou is about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) southwest of Castor.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 256 | — | |
| 1940 | 244 | −4.7% | |
| 1950 | 171 | −29.9% | |
| 1960 | 142 | −17.0% | |
| 1970 | 183 | 28.9% | |
| 1980 | 195 | 6.6% | |
| 1990 | 196 | 0.5% | |
| 2000 | 209 | 6.6% | |
| 2010 | 258 | 23.4% | |
| 2020 | 230 | −10.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 209 people living in Castor. By 2010, the population grew to 258. In 2020, it was 230 people.
Most people in Castor are White (85.17%), and about 11.96% are African American. About 3.83% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Castor in 2000 was 36 years old. About 30.1% of the people were under 18, and 19.6% were 65 or older.
Education and Transportation
Castor School Complex
Castor has one school located on Front Street. This school complex includes buildings for:
- Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
- Elementary school
- Middle school
- High school
The current principal of the school is Mrs. Joy-Dee Wallace.
Student Achievements
Students from Castor High School have achieved great things:
- In 2015, three students (Sydney Anderson, Kaitlyn Calhoun, and Brittony Cole) from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) placed in the top 15 nationally. This was a first for their school and parish!
- In 2016, a BETA club member, Mateo Chavez, won first and third place at the state competition. He then placed in the top ten nationally for Spelling and won first place in the nation for Creative Writing.
- In 2017, another BETA member, Gabrielle Guin, placed second at the state competition for Handmade Jewelry.
- In 2018, Mateo Chavez also became the first Castor student to win the Richard D Clanton Memorial Scholarship Award. Brittney Lea won the 2018 Who’s Who in Louisiana FBLA Award.
Getting Around Castor
- Public Transportation: The Council on Aging helps elderly and disabled people get around by providing transportation.
- Roads: Three main highways meet in Castor: Highway 153 (also called Front Street), Highway 507, and Highway 4. They cross at a four-way stop light in the center of the village. Other roads include The Ridge Road, Elm Street, and Oak Street.
- Water Systems: Castor and the surrounding area get their water from two sources: the Castor Water System and the Alberta Water System.
Media and News
The main newspaper for Castor is The Shreveport Times. Other local newspapers include the Ringgold Progress and the Bienville Democrat, which is published in Arcadia.
People in Castor usually watch TV using antennas or satellites, as cable TV is not available in the area.
Local Economy
Castor has several local businesses that serve the community:
- A General Store
- A gasoline station
- A flower shop
- A cafe
- A beauty shop
- A laundromat
- A branch of the Bank of Montgomery
- A United States Post Office
- Retirement homes
- A mobile home park
Most adults who work in Castor travel to larger nearby towns for their jobs.
Notable People from Castor
- Lee Smith: A famous baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball. He was chosen for the All-Star team seven times and was added to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Jamie Fair: A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1980 to 1984.
Gallery
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Castor entrance sign
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Castor branch of the Bienville Parish Library
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Castor School Complex
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Castor General Store
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First United Methodist Church of Castor
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The First Baptist Church of Castor is located adjacent to the public school complex.
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New Ebenezer Baptist Church south of Castor
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Entrance to New Ebenezer Cemetery
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Graves at the Old Castor Cemetery
See also
In Spanish: Castor (Luisiana) para niños
