Natchitoches, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Natchitoches
Les Natchitoches (French)
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| City of Natchitoches Ville des Natchitoches (French) |
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Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
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| Nickname(s):
The Destination of Travelers since 1714
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Location of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
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 Natchitoches
Location in Louisiana
Natchitoches
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Louisiana | |
| Parish | Natchitoches | |
| Settled | 1714 | |
| Incorporated as a town | February 5, 1819 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor-Council | |
| • Body | City Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 26.28 sq mi (68.07 km2) | |
| • Land | 22.69 sq mi (58.77 km2) | |
| • Water | 3.59 sq mi (9.31 km2) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,039 | |
| • Density | 795.05/sq mi (306.97/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
71457
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| Area code | 318 | |
| Interstate |  |
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| Louisiana Highways |  .svg){kind=small} |
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Natchitoches (pronounced NAK-ə-təsh) is a city in Louisiana, United States. It is the main city of Natchitoches Parish. In 2020, about 18,039 people lived there. A French explorer named Louis Juchereau de St. Denis started the community in 1714. It was named after the local Natchitoches people.
Natchitoches became an official city on February 5, 1819. This was after Louisiana became a state in 1812. It is the oldest town that has been continuously settled in the area bought by the Louisiana Purchase. Northwestern State University is located in Natchitoches. The city is also a sister city to Nacogdoches, Texas.
Contents
History of Natchitoches
How Natchitoches Began
Natchitoches was founded in 1714 by a French-Canadian explorer, Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. It is the oldest European settlement that has lasted since the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The French set up Natchitoches as a trading post on the Red River. They wanted to trade with areas controlled by Spain in Mexico. French traders were already living there as early as 1699. The town was built near a village of Natchitoches Indians, and the city was named after them.
Early settlers were French Catholic immigrants. They developed large farms called plantations. These plantations, like Magnolia Plantation and Oakland Plantation, grew cotton. Both of these historic places are now protected as National Historic Landmarks.
After the United States bought the Louisiana territory in 1803, more people moved to the area. Natchitoches grew as the population increased. Many new settlers were from other parts of the U.S. They also started cotton plantations along the Red River. Many enslaved African Americans were forced to work on these plantations. They helped make the plantations rich before the Civil War.
The U.S. government opened a fur trade center here in 1805. It later moved in 1818. In the 1820s and early 1830s, Natchitoches was a key spot for moving cotton. Cotton from east Texas was brought by land to Natchitoches. Then, it was put on boats and sent down the Red River to New Orleans.
Later, the Red River changed its path. This left Natchitoches without a direct connection to the river. An old part of the river became a long lake, now called Cane River Lake.
Natchitoches During the Civil War
During the Civil War, Union soldiers set Natchitoches on fire. They were retreating after trying to capture Shreveport. Confederate soldiers chased them and arrived in time to help put out the fires. This saved the town from being completely destroyed. Other towns, like Alexandria, were destroyed by Union troops. Both sides caused damage to plantations along the river, including Magnolia and Oakland.
Natchitoches in the 1900s
In the mid-1900s, fewer people were needed for farm work. Many moved to cities for jobs. This caused Natchitoches to grow slower after 1960. By the early 1970s, many businesses in town were struggling.
In the mid-1970s, Mayor Bobby DeBlieux and others had an idea. They thought that attracting tourists could help the town. Natchitoches had many old plantations and historic buildings. They worked to create a historic district in the city. They also supported making a national park out of parts of Magnolia Plantation and Oakland Plantation.
By the end of the 1900s, the downtown area became a National Historic Landmark District. Many old buildings were turned into shops and restaurants. The town became very popular for tourists. It had many bed-and-breakfast inns.
The plantation area around Cane River Lake became the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. This park was created in 1994. It helps tell the history of slavery and the contributions of African Americans and Creoles of color to the community. In 2022, the city made Juneteenth an official holiday.
Cane River Lake is also a popular spot for university crew teams. They come here for spring break training. The city has also worked to improve the lake. They have projects to keep the riverbanks strong and to control the water levels.
Geography and Climate
Where is Natchitoches?
Natchitoches is located in Louisiana. The city covers about 25.1 square miles (65 square kilometers). About 21.6 square miles (56 square kilometers) are land. The rest, about 3.6 square miles (9.3 square kilometers), is water.
A 35-mile (56 km) long lake called Cane River Lake was formed from an old part of the Red River. The city gets its water from Sibley Lake. This lake was created in 1962 and is also a good place for fishing and boating.
City's Look and Feel
Natchitoches has many historic buildings. They are part of the Natchitoches Historic District. The city has a unique look with wrought iron, stucco, and red brick. One of its special features is Front Street, which is still made of original bricks. The city recently repaired this street. Workers carefully removed, cleaned, and replaced each brick.
Weather in Natchitoches
| Climate data for Natchitoches, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 84 (29) |
89 (32) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
108 (42) |
110 (43) |
99 (37) |
89 (32) |
84 (29) |
110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 76.6 (24.8) |
79.6 (26.4) |
84.8 (29.3) |
88.8 (31.6) |
92.9 (33.8) |
96.8 (36.0) |
99.2 (37.3) |
99.9 (37.7) |
97.0 (36.1) |
91.4 (33.0) |
84.0 (28.9) |
78.5 (25.8) |
100.9 (38.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 59.8 (15.4) |
64.9 (18.3) |
72.2 (22.3) |
79.3 (26.3) |
86.5 (30.3) |
92.4 (33.6) |
95.3 (35.2) |
95.7 (35.4) |
90.3 (32.4) |
81.1 (27.3) |
70.3 (21.3) |
62.3 (16.8) |
79.2 (26.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 49.5 (9.7) |
53.4 (11.9) |
60.6 (15.9) |
67.6 (19.8) |
75.8 (24.3) |
82.6 (28.1) |
85.5 (29.7) |
85.3 (29.6) |
79.5 (26.4) |
69.0 (20.6) |
58.8 (14.9) |
51.7 (10.9) |
68.3 (20.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 39.2 (4.0) |
41.9 (5.5) |
49.0 (9.4) |
56.0 (13.3) |
65.1 (18.4) |
72.9 (22.7) |
75.8 (24.3) |
74.9 (23.8) |
68.7 (20.4) |
56.9 (13.8) |
47.3 (8.5) |
41.1 (5.1) |
57.4 (14.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 23.4 (−4.8) |
28.0 (−2.2) |
32.3 (0.2) |
40.2 (4.6) |
50.9 (10.5) |
62.9 (17.2) |
68.4 (20.2) |
66.7 (19.3) |
54.8 (12.7) |
40.3 (4.6) |
30.8 (−0.7) |
26.6 (−3.0) |
21.8 (−5.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 3 (−16) |
3 (−16) |
21 (−6) |
30 (−1) |
39 (4) |
43 (6) |
55 (13) |
52 (11) |
40 (4) |
26 (−3) |
19 (−7) |
5 (−15) |
3 (−16) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.08 (129) |
4.48 (114) |
5.76 (146) |
5.66 (144) |
4.16 (106) |
5.22 (133) |
3.51 (89) |
3.27 (83) |
3.90 (99) |
4.52 (115) |
4.76 (121) |
5.61 (142) |
55.93 (1,421) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.2 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 6.5 | 8.2 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 9.8 | 98.5 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Natchitoches is located between the plains of Texas and the humid Gulf Coast. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are usually mild, and it snows only once every 5–10 years. The city gets about 55 inches (140 cm) of rain each year. The area often has strong thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
People of Natchitoches
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 986 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,405 | 42.5% | |
| 1850 | 1,261 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,401 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,785 | 98.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,820 | −34.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,388 | 31.2% | |
| 1910 | 2,532 | 6.0% | |
| 1920 | 3,388 | 33.8% | |
| 1930 | 4,547 | 34.2% | |
| 1940 | 6,812 | 49.8% | |
| 1950 | 9,914 | 45.5% | |
| 1960 | 13,924 | 40.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,974 | 14.7% | |
| 1980 | 16,664 | 4.3% | |
| 1990 | 16,609 | −0.3% | |
| 2000 | 17,865 | 7.6% | |
| 2010 | 18,323 | 2.6% | |
| 2020 | 18,039 | −1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, Natchitoches had 18,039 people.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,370 | 35.31% |
| Black or African American | 9,892 | 54.84% |
| Native American | 64 | 0.35% |
| Asian | 122 | 0.68% |
| Pacific Islander | 10 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 671 | 3.72% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 910 | 5.04% |
Native American Tribes
Several Native American tribes have historical ties to the Natchitoches area:
- Adai Caddo Indians of Louisiana
- Natchitoches people
- Caddo
Economy and Tourism
Natchitoches has worked hard to improve its economy. In the 1970s, many businesses were empty. Now, thanks to efforts to bring in tourists, most businesses are open.
The Port of Natchitoches is on the Red River. It helps export lumber, as forestry is a big industry here. The Natchitoches Regional Airport serves nearby cities. It also offers flight training with Northwestern State University. The airport is being updated to be very modern.
The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is in the city. They care for many types of fish and other wildlife. People who enjoy fishing often visit the area.
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a very popular event. It is held on the river each December. Many businesses, like gas stations and hotels, have opened near Interstate 49 to serve festival visitors. In 1998, Natchitoches was named one of the best places to retire in the U.S.
Visiting Natchitoches
The Cane River National Heritage Area is a large area with many historic sites. These include Oakland Plantation, Melrose Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation. This area is also part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
Natchitoches is a popular place for tourists. It has many hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns. Over one million visitors come to the city every year. In 2006, Natchitoches won an award for its efforts to restore its historic district.
The main tourist area is the downtown river walk, especially Front Street. This street has many shops and boutiques. The Historical Society helps protect this area. Natchitoches also has a "Walk of Fame" in its historic district.
When you visit, you might see unusual structures. These are part of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival lights. The city also has a convention center for events.
The Bayou Pierre Alligator Park is a fun place to visit. You can feed alligators and learn about nature. Natchitoches is also home to a part of the Kisatchie National Forest.
Arts and Culture
The Natchitoches Meat Pie is a famous food from Louisiana. It is a special dish from this part of the state.
Natchitoches is well-known for its Christmas Festival of Lights. This festival takes place on the first Saturday in December. The lights stay on along the Cane River until after New Year's Day. In 2019, the festival celebrated its 93rd year.
Education in Natchitoches
Colleges and Universities
- Northwestern State University
- Louisiana Scholars' College
- Louisiana Technical College
The Louisiana Scholars' College is part of Northwestern State University. It is Louisiana's special honors college for liberal arts and sciences. Northwestern State University also partners with many universities in Asia.
Schools for Younger Students
The Natchitoches Parish School Board runs many public schools, including:
- East Natchitoches Elementary/Middle School
- George L. Parks Elementary
- L.P. Vaughn Elementary
- M.R. Weaver Elementary
- NSU Elementary/Middle Laboratory School
- Natchitoches Junior High—Frankie Ray Jackson School
- Natchitoches Magnet School
- Natchitoches Central High School
The city is also home to the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. This is a public high school for talented students who live there.
Private Schools
St. Mary's High School is a private school in Natchitoches.
Media
Newspaper
- Natchitoches Times
Radio
Natchitoches has its own radio market.
Television
Natchitoches is part of the Shreveport television market.
Notable People from Natchitoches
- Jack Berly (1903–1977), a Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Joanna Cassidy, a Golden Globe award-winning actress.
- Kate Chopin, a writer who managed a plantation near Natchitoches.
- Caroline Dormon, a naturalist who helped create the Kisatchie National Forest.
- Joe Dumars, an NBA championship-winning player and general manager.
- Grits Gresham (1922–2008), a famous sportsman and TV host.
- Robert Harling, a playwright and Hollywood screenwriter.
- Bobby Hebert, a football quarterback in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
- Marques Johnson, a basketball player for UCLA and the NBA.
- Pat Listach, an MLB player and coach.
- Charlie Tolar (1937–2003), a professional football player.
- Trini Triggs (born 1965), a country music singer.
Important Events
On March 4, 1965, a gas pipeline explosion in Natchitoches killed 17 people.
In 1973, singer-songwriter Jim Croce died when his plane crashed after leaving Natchitoches Regional Airport.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Natchitoches welcomed many people from New Orleans. Many college students transferred to Northwestern State University to continue their studies.
Images for kids
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Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
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Location of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
See also
In Spanish: Natchitoches (Luisiana) para niños
