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Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Parish
Parish of Natchitoches
Paroisse des Natchitoches  (French)
Natchitoches Parish Courthouse (completed 1939 as a WPA project)
Natchitoches Parish Courthouse (completed 1939 as a WPA project)
Flag of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Flag
 Official seal of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Louisiana
Region Central Louisiana
Founded April 10, 1805; 220 years ago (1805-04-10)
Named for Natchitoches people
Parish seat Natchitoches
Largest municipality Ashland (area)
Natchitoches (population)
Campti (population density)
Incorporated municipalities
9 (total)
1 city, 1 town, and 7 villages
(located entirely or partially
within parish boundaries)
Area
 • Total 3,360 km2 (1,299 sq mi)
 • Land 3,240 km2 (1,252 sq mi)
 • Water 120 km2 (47 sq mi)
 • percentage 9 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 37,515
 • Rank LA: 30th
 • Density 11.151/km2 (28.880/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code 318
Congressional district 4th
Natchitoches Parish Library IMG 1956
The Natchitoches Parish Library.
Magnolia Plantation; Natchitoches Parish, LA IMG 3472
Hidden by trees, the Magnolia Plantation is located in the Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
Creston Baptist Church near Campti, LA IMG 2104
Creston Baptist Church is located at the intersections of the highways leading to Ashland, Goldonna, and Readhimer.

Natchitoches Parish is a special kind of county in Louisiana, USA. In 2020, about 37,515 people lived here. Its main town, called the parish seat, is Natchitoches. Natchitoches is also where most people live. The town of Ashland is the biggest by land area. Campti has the most people living close together. The parish was created in 1805.

This area is important for the Louisiana Creole community. These are people of mixed backgrounds who settled here long ago. Many of their families still speak French and are Catholic. The Cane River National Heritage Area is found here. It includes many important historical places. One special place is the St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church. It was built in 1829 and is part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.

The Cane River Creole National Historical Park helps tell the story of the Louisiana Creoles. It includes old buildings from Magnolia and Oakland plantations. This park is also part of the Heritage Trail.

Exploring Natchitoches Parish History

Natchitoches Parish was formed on April 10, 1805. This happened when the Territory of Orleans was divided into 12 parishes. At first, Natchitoches Parish was much larger than it is today. Over time, as more people moved in, new parishes were created from its huge territory.

Many new parishes were formed from Natchitoches Parish. These include Caddo, Claiborne, Bossier, and Sabine. Natchitoches Parish has changed its borders fifteen times. This is the second most of any parish in Louisiana!

Life in the Past

Before the American Civil War, many large cotton farms grew here. Enslaved African Americans worked on these farms. By the time of the Civil War, most people in the parish were enslaved. There were also many mixed-race people who were free. They were known as Creoles of color. They built important places like the St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church in 1829. This church is a key stop on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.

In 1861, free men of color in Isle Brevelle started their own militia groups. Other free men of color joined the Confederate Army later. This was because they were accepted by the white community. Many free people of color were related to older white families in the parish.

After the Civil War, life changed a lot. There was violence against newly freed people. Most farmers still grew cotton, but the market for it became weaker. Later, in the late 1800s, a timber industry grew in some areas.

Modern Natchitoches Parish

Today, Natchitoches Parish is a popular place for visitors. Many people come to learn about its history. It's also a great spot for fishing and other outdoor sports. Some university teams even come here for spring training on Cane River Lake.

Geography of Natchitoches Parish

Natchitoches Parish covers about 1,299 square miles. About 1,252 square miles is land, and 47 square miles (3.6%) is water. It is the fourth-largest parish in Louisiana by land area. The main water sources underground are the Red River, upland terrace, Sparta, and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers.

Neighboring Parishes

Natchitoches Parish shares its borders with several other parishes:

Main Roads and Highways

Many important roads run through Natchitoches Parish:

  • I-49.svg Interstate 49
  • US 71.svg U.S. Highway 71
  • US 84.svg U.S. Highway 84
  • Louisiana 1 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 1
  • Louisiana 6 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 6
  • Louisiana 9 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 9
  • Louisiana 117 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 117
  • Louisiana 119 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 119
  • Louisiana 126 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 126
  • Louisiana 153 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 153
  • Louisiana 155 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 155
  • Louisiana 156 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 156
  • Louisiana 174 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 174
  • Louisiana 480 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 480
  • Louisiana 485 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 485
  • 25px Louisiana Highway 486
  • Louisiana 494 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 494
  • Louisiana 1226 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 1226
  • Louisiana 3163 (2008).svg Louisiana Highway 3163

Protected Natural Areas

Natchitoches Parish is home to parts of several important natural areas:

Population and People

The number of people living in Natchitoches Parish has changed over the years.

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1820 7,486 —
1830 7,905 5.6%
1840 14,350 81.5%
1850 14,228 −0.9%
1860 16,699 17.4%
1870 18,265 9.4%
1880 19,707 7.9%
1890 25,836 31.1%
1900 33,216 28.6%
1910 36,455 9.8%
1920 38,602 5.9%
1930 38,477 −0.3%
1940 40,997 6.5%
1950 38,144 −7.0%
1960 35,653 −6.5%
1970 35,219 −1.2%
1980 39,863 13.2%
1990 36,689 −8.0%
2000 39,080 6.5%
2010 39,566 1.2%
2020 37,515 −5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, there were 37,515 people living in the parish. Most people identified as White (50.37%) or Black/African American (39.6%). There were also smaller groups of Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people of mixed races. About 3.97% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, about 33% of households had children under 18. About 45% were married couples. The average household had 2.56 people. The median age in the parish was 30 years old.

Education in Natchitoches Parish

The Natchitoches Parish School Board manages the public schools here.

Schools in the Parish

  • East Natchitoches Elementary & Middle High School
  • Fairview Alpha Elementary & Junior High School
  • Frankie Ray Jackson Sr. Technical Center
  • Goldonna Elementary & Junior High School
  • L.P. Vaughn Elementary & Junior High School
  • Lakeview High School
  • M.R. Weaver Elementary
  • Marthaville Elementary & Junior High School
  • Natchitoches Central High School
  • Natchitoches Magnet School
  • NSU Elementary Laboratory School
  • NSU Middle Laboratory School
  • Provencal Elementary & Junior High School

Students can also attend Bossier Parish Community College.

Communities in Natchitoches Parish

Towns and Cities

  • Natchitoches (the main city and parish seat)
  • Campti (a town with many people living close together)

Villages

Other Areas

Census-Designated Places

These are areas that are not officially cities or towns but are recognized for census purposes:

Other Small Communities

Native American Tribes

Several Native American tribes have historical ties to this area:

Local Services

Hospital

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center building
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in Natchitoches
Exchange Bank Main Office
Exchange Bank in Natchitoches is the tallest building in Downtown Natchitoches

The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is a hospital with 96 beds. It serves people in Natchitoches, Sabine, and Winn Parishes.

Detention Center

The Natchitoches Parish Detention Center is a facility for people aged 16 and older. It is located at 299 Edwina Drive, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71457.

Notable People from Natchitoches Parish

Many interesting people have come from Natchitoches Parish:

  • Curtis Boozman (1898–1979) was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for two terms.
  • Jean Baptiste Brevelle (1698–1754) was an early explorer and trader. He helped found Fort Saint Jean Baptiste de Natchitoches. Bayou Brevelle and Isle Brevelle are named after his family.
  • Leopold Caspari (1830–1915) was a businessman and banker. He served in the Louisiana State Legislature.
  • Monnie T. Cheves (1902–1988) was a professor at Northwestern State University. He also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
  • Charles Milton Cunningham (1877–1936) was an educator, lawyer, and state senator. He was also an editor for The Natchitoches Times.
  • William Tharp Cunningham (1871–1952) was a lawyer and judge. He was born in Natchitoches Parish and served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
  • Numa T. Delouche (1888–1965) was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Cloutierville.
  • Caroline Dormon (1888–1971) was a famous naturalist and botanist. She was born and lived on her family's estate, Briarwood, in the parish.
  • Anne des Cadeaux Brevelle (died 1754) was an Adai Caddo Native American woman. She was an early settler of Natchitoches and a devout Catholic.
  • Abraham Dowden was a Democratic political figure.
  • Brothers J. Isaac Friedman (1877–1949) and Leon Friedman (1886–1948) both served in the Louisiana House. Their nephew, Sylvan Friedman, also served in both the House and the state senate. The Friedman family were large landowners from Natchez, Louisiana.
  • Thomas Gilcrease (1890–1962) was born in Robeline. He later became an oilman and art collector. He founded the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • Lloyd Hendrick (1908–1951) was a state senator. He was born in Natchitoches Parish.
  • Andrew R. Johnson (1856–1933) was a Louisiana state senator. He helped establish the village of Ashland in Natchitoches Parish.
  • Ray Tarver (1921–1972) was a dentist from Natchitoches. He represented the parish in the Louisiana House.

See also

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