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Newellton, Louisiana facts for kids

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Newellton, Louisiana
Village
Village of Newellton
Newellton, Louisiana, Water Tower
Newellton, Louisiana, Water Tower
Location of Newellton in Tensas Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Newellton in Tensas Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Tensas
Area
 • Total 0.87 sq mi (2.26 km2)
 • Land 0.76 sq mi (1.97 km2)
 • Water 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Elevation
79 ft (24 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 886
 • Density 1,167.33/sq mi (450.58/km2)
Time zone CST
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71357
Area code(s) 318
FIPS code 22-53930
Newellton, LA, welcome sign IMG 0075 (2)
Newellton welcome sign erected by the town council in 2012
Lake St. Joseph in Newellton, LA (2013) IMG 7476 2
Lake St. Joseph as seen from behind Britt's Pharmacy in Newellton

Newellton is a small town located in the northeastern part of Louisiana, a state in the United States. It's found in northern Tensas Parish. In 2020, about 886 people lived there.

Newellton is special because it sits right next to Lake St. Joseph. This lake is an ox-bow lake, which means it used to be a bend in a river, but the river changed its path, leaving the bend behind as a separate lake. Another ox-bow lake, Lake Bruin, is nearby and has a popular state park.

History of Newellton

Newellton was started in the early 1800s by the Routh family. A man named John David Stokes Newell Sr. later named the settlement after his father, Edward Newell. Edward had moved to Tensas Parish in 1834 from North Carolina.

Newellton officially became a village in 1904. Then, on April 4, 1951, it was upgraded to a town. This happened under Mayor T. T. Hargrove. It's interesting to know that by March 2014, Newellton had paid off all its debts!

Where is Newellton Located?

Newellton is located at coordinates 32.072740 degrees North and -91.239230 degrees West.

The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 0.9 square miles (2.26 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 0.1 square miles (0.29 square kilometers) is water, mainly from Lake St. Joseph.

People of Newellton

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1910 424 —
1920 541 27.6%
1930 627 15.9%
1940 789 25.8%
1950 1,280 62.2%
1960 1,453 13.5%
1970 1,403 −3.4%
1980 1,726 23.0%
1990 1,576 −8.7%
2000 1,482 −6.0%
2010 1,187 −19.9%
2020 886 −25.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, there were 886 people living in Newellton. The population is made up of different groups:

  • About 22.35% of the people were White (not Hispanic).
  • About 72.8% were Black or African American (not Hispanic).
  • About 3.5% were of other races or mixed races.
  • About 1.35% were Hispanic or Latino.

Famous People from Newellton

Newellton has been home to several notable individuals:

  • Andrew F. Brimmer (1926-2012): He was an economist and the first African American to serve as a governor of the Federal Reserve System.
  • Sarah Dorsey: An author and historian who lived near Newellton in the 1850s. She was also a supporter of Jefferson Davis.
  • Emmitt Douglas: He was the president of the Louisiana NAACP from 1966 until his death in 1981. The NAACP is a civil rights organization.
  • C.B. Forgotston (1945-2016): Born in Newellton, he became a lawyer and was known for watching over state government and being a political activist.
  • Clyde V. Ratcliff (1879-1952): He was a planter in Newellton and served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1944 to 1948.
  • Thomas M. Wade (1860-1929): He was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and served on the Louisiana State Board of Education. He was also the Tensas school superintendent for about twenty years.
  • Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker: An African American trombonist who was born near Newellton.

Images for kids

  • Newellton crossroads IMG 1269

    Numerous businesses in downtown Newellton have been closed for many years.

  • Tensas State Bank in Newellton IMG 1273

    The Tensas State Bank building in Newellton

  • U.S. Post Office in Newellton, LA IMG 7456

    U.S. Post Office at 930 Verona Street in Newellton

  • Newellton Elevator IMG 1274

    Newellton Grain Elevator

  • Winter Quarters, Photo 2 IMG 1260

    Winter Quarters State Historic Site near Newellton

  • Dixie Dandy in Newellton, LA IMG 7454

    Dixie Dandy grocery has existed in Newellton since 1967; it is located at 1109 Verona Street at the intersection with U.S. Highway 65.

  • Newellton Place Apartments, Newellton, LA IMG 7479 1

    The Newellton Place Apartments at 100 Routh Street is among newer housing available in Newellton.

  • Revised copy, Newellton Union Church, Newellton, LA IMG 0233

    The historic Newellton Union Church (established 1890) is a nondenominational congregation at 1916 Highway 605.

  • First Baptist Church, Newellton, LA IMG 1263

    First Baptist Church at 1822 Highway 605 in Newellton (2008 photo); then pastor Dennis Campbell

  • Renovated First Baptist Church of Newellton, LA IMG 0235

    Renovated First Baptist Church (2010 photo); FBC celebrated its 75th anniversary on August 22, 2010; pastor Warren J. Hoffman (September 2013)

  • Newellton Elementary School (Former Newellton High School), Newellton, LA IMG 0225

    The former Newellton High School now houses Newellton Elementary at 400 Verona Street.

  • Abandoned Routhwood Elementary School, Newellton, LA IMG 0228

    The abandoned former Routhwood Elementary School in Newellton

  • Defunct Tensas Medical Center, Newellton, LA IMG 0222

    Abandoned Tensas Medical Center on Verona Street in Newellton

  • Legion Memorial Cemetery, Newellton, LA (2016) IMG 0086 (2)

    Legion Memorial Cemetery, a well-maintained facility off Louisiana Highway 605 north of Newellton, was established in 1943.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Newellton para niños

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