Hornbeck, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hornbeck, Louisiana
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Town
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| Motto(s):
"Gateway to Toledo Bend"
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Location of Hornbeck in Vernon Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Vernon |
| Founded | October 21, 1902 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.16 sq mi (2.99 km2) |
| • Land | 1.15 sq mi (2.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 325 ft (99 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 430 |
| • Density | 373.59/sq mi (144.25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 318 |
| FIPS code | 22-36045 |
| Website | Town of Hornbeck, Louisiana |
Hornbeck is a small town in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States. In 2020, about 430 people lived there. It is part of the Fort Johnson South area, which is a group of towns and cities that are connected. Hornbeck is known as the "Gateway to Toledo Bend."
Contents
History of Hornbeck
Early Settlement and Founding
People started settling in the Hornbeck area as early as the 1830s. But the town itself didn't really begin until 1897. That year, a man named F.A. Hornbeck bought land. He was working for the Arkansas Town Site Company. He bought the land along the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCS).
Buildings were put up to help service the trains. A brick kiln was also built to make bricks for construction. In 1897, the first Post Office opened. Walter Carey was the first postmaster, followed by D.B. Pate.
Schools and Town Incorporation
The first public school in Hornbeck opened in 1898. Miss Fannie Monk and W.L. Ford were the first teachers. A secondary school opened in 1907. It became a full high school in 1910.
On October 21, 1902, Hornbeck officially became a town. Governor William Wright Heard made the announcement. W.M. Conerly became the first mayor. G.G. Leach, W.L. Maddox, and John Carter were chosen as aldermen. W. Johnson became the town marshal.
Railroad and Timber Boom
The Kansas City Southern Railroad was very important to Hornbeck. They built a roundhouse there. This was a place where train engines could be repaired. The roundhouse made Hornbeck a key stop. It was a busy connection between Port Arthur, Texas, and Shreveport. It also created many jobs.
The early 1900s were a great time for Hornbeck. The timber and railroad industries were strong. Hornbeck became a busy town. It had a bank, a newspaper, five hotels, five saloons, and ten stores.
Economic Challenges and Recovery
In 1912, the railroad decided to move the roundhouse. It moved to Leesville. This was a big problem for Hornbeck's economy. The town then relied on timber, turpentine, and farming.
When the Great Depression started in 1929, the timber and turpentine industries crashed. This ended Hornbeck's good times.
In the 1940s, the Department of War set up Camp Polk. They held military exercises called the "Louisiana Maneuvers." Camp Polk helped Hornbeck's economy. It also boosted the economy of the whole Vernon Parish area.
Modern Hornbeck
In the 1960s, the Toledo Bend Reservoir was built. It is on the Sabine River. Hornbeck gained a new attraction. The town started calling itself the "Gateway" to Toledo Bend.
Today, Hornbeck continues to grow steadily. Its leaders are working to help the town's economy. On October 21, 2002, Hornbeck celebrated its 100th birthday!
Geography of Hornbeck
Hornbeck is located at 31°19′33″N 93°23′45″W / 31.32583°N 93.39583°W. This means it's in a specific spot on the map.
The town covers about 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of land. It does not have much water area.
Notable People from Hornbeck
- Bryan A. Poston was a businessman from Hornbeck. He served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1964 to 1992. His father, Charles M. Poston, Sr., held the same position before him. Both were members of the Democratic Party.
- Frank A. Howard used to be the Vernon Parish Sheriff. He has been a representative in the Louisiana House of Representatives since 2007.
- William H. West was also a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1978 to 1984.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 459 | — | |
| 1920 | 350 | −23.7% | |
| 1930 | 491 | 40.3% | |
| 1940 | 481 | −2.0% | |
| 1950 | 524 | 8.9% | |
| 1960 | 374 | −28.6% | |
| 1970 | 525 | 40.4% | |
| 1980 | 470 | −10.5% | |
| 1990 | 427 | −9.1% | |
| 2000 | 435 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 480 | 10.3% | |
| 2020 | 430 | −10.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 435 people living in Hornbeck. They lived in 181 households. About 121 of these were families. The town had about 373 people per square mile.
Most people in Hornbeck were White (94.02%). A smaller number were African American (2.30%) or Native American (2.07%).
About 28.7% of households had children under 18. More than half (54.7%) were married couples. The average household had 2.40 people. The average family had 3.03 people.
The median age in Hornbeck was 36 years old. This means half the people were younger and half were older. About 25.1% of the population was under 18. About 15.4% were 65 or older.
The median income for a household was $25,446. For families, it was $33,036. About 14.3% of the people lived below the poverty line.
Education in Hornbeck
Hornbeck is part of the Vernon Parish School Board. This school district is based in Leesville. Hornbeck has one public school, Hornbeck High School. It has been open since 1898. In 1910, it became a full high school.
Images for kids
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Hornbeck First Baptist Church 2010
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The HHS New Gym 2010
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The HHS Auditorium 2010
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The Hornbeck High School 2010
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The HHS Elementary School 2010
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The HHS Old Gym 2010
See also
In Spanish: Hornbeck (Luisiana) para niños
