Hodges Gardens State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hodges Gardens State Park
A view of A. J. Hodges Island.
Hodges Gardens State Park Location in Louisiana
Location	Sabine Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
Area	approx. 700 acres (2.8 km2; 1.1 sq mi)
Established	1956 (1956)
Governing body	Louisiana Office of State Parks

Hodges Gardens State Park is a beautiful area in west central Louisiana. It's located between the towns of Florien and Hornbeck. You can find it near the Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Sabine River.

This park is famous for its amazing gardens, walking trails, and waterfalls. It also has a special area for different types of trees, called an arboretum. The park was first created by a private family in the 1940s. It opened to the public in 1956. Later, in 2007, it became part of Louisiana's public park system. It was the newest and largest garden park in the state. However, in 2018, the park closed and was given back to the A. J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation. It remains closed today.

Discovering Hodges Gardens: A Look Back

The land where Hodges Gardens is located has a long and interesting past. Long ago, Native Americans lived here. Later, Spain and France sent explorers to this area. There were even highwaymen (like old-time bandits) during a period called the Neutral Strip.

An important old road, called the El Camino Real, or "King's Highway," went right through what became Hodges Gardens. This road connected Natchitoches in Louisiana to Mexico City.

The Vision of A. J. Hodges

A man named Andrew Jackson Hodges, Sr. (1890-1966) bought a huge amount of land here. It was over 100,000 acres (400 km²) of land that had been cleared of trees. Mr. Hodges decided to replant 39,000 acres (160 km²) of it with new timber.

Part of this land included an old quarry. A quarry is a place where rocks and stones are dug out of the ground. This quarry had provided stones for building things like jetties in Port Arthur. Mr. Hodges and his wife, Nona Trigg, had a wonderful idea. They decided to create a beautiful garden around the natural rock formations of the old quarry.

Creating the Water Features

In 1954, a 225-acre (0.91 km²) lake was created at the park. Water from this lake is pumped through the gardens. It flows into waterfalls, pools, and fountains. This water is also used to water the plants. After it's used, the water is recycled back into the lake. This system helps keep the gardens green and beautiful.

In 2015, Hodges Gardens was recognized as a special place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.

Exploring the Park's Features

Hodges Gardens State Park covers about 925 acres (3.74 km²) of land. About 60 acres (240,000 m²) of this area is dedicated to the stunning gardens. The park also features a large 225-acre (0.9 km²) lake with a lighthouse.

Visitors to the park could enjoy many activities. There were trails for hiking and biking. You could also go camping with an RV or in the wilderness.

Fun Activities and Facilities

The park offered many ways for people to enjoy nature and have fun:

• Amphitheater: A place for outdoor performances.
• Bicycle Riding: Trails perfect for cycling.
• Bird Watching: Many different birds could be seen.
• Boating: You could rent boats to explore the lake.
• Cabins: Cozy places to stay overnight.
• Lodge: A larger building that could host up to 52 people.
• Canoeing and Kayaking: Rentals were available for paddling on the lake.
• Fishing: A fishing pier was available for anglers.
• Hiking: Plenty of trails to explore on foot.
• Lookout Tower: A tower offering amazing views.
• Pavilion: A covered area for gatherings.
• Picnicking: Spots to enjoy outdoor meals.
• Tent Area: Places for traditional tent camping.
• Walking: Beautiful paths for leisurely strolls.
• Waterfall: A lovely cascading water feature.
• Wildlife Viewing: Opportunities to see local animals.

What You Could See at Hodges Gardens

The gardens were home to many different plants and flowers. Some were grown in large tropical greenhouses on the property. Other flowers, like tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, were brought in from other places to add variety.

The flowers were planted in layers, one above another, creating a beautiful effect. You could see lovely water lilies and bright Neoregelia plants. In December 2007, about 600 rose bushes were planted! The park also planned special events like Easter Sunrise Services, Shakespearean plays, and Fourth of July fireworks.

There were many walkways and foot bridges to explore. Streams and waterfalls added to the peaceful atmosphere. From the lookout tower, you could even see Texas, which was over 14 miles (23 km) away! One special feature was a dual stairway with a waterfall flowing down the middle. Many fountains sprayed water into the air, and trees were decorated with Spanish moss.

Pictures from the gardens

The Park's Return to the Foundation

After being open for about 50 years, the gardens and cabins were updated by the state. They reopened to the public in March 2008. Camping areas became available a few months later.

However, after nine years, the state of Louisiana faced a tight budget. They decided they could no longer operate Hodges Gardens. So, on October 1, 2017, ownership was returned to the A. J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation. Since 2008, the state and the foundation had been working together to run the park.

Mayor Kenneth Freeman of Many, Louisiana, and other groups tried to keep Hodges Gardens open. Mayor Freeman said he had visited the park many times since he was eight years old. He said, "Every time I go I see something new and beautiful. I don't want to lose that for future generations." He also mentioned how important the park was for the local economy. He encouraged people to visit the park regularly to help support it.