Oak Ridge, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Ridge, Louisiana
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Village
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Location in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Morehouse |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.99 sq mi (2.57 km2) |
| • Land | 0.99 sq mi (2.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 124 |
| • Density | 124.75/sq mi (48.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 318 |
| FIPS code | 22-57205 |
| GNIS feature ID | 555528 |
Oak Ridge is a small village in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, United States. It's located in the northeastern part of Louisiana. In 2020, the village had a population of 124 people.
Contents
History of Oak Ridge
Ancient Times and Early Settlements
Long ago, different groups of Native Americans lived in the area where Oak Ridge is now. Between the years 1540 and 1685, they built a special place called the Jordan Mounds. This site had several large mounds and a central open area. People believe the site was left empty around 1700, possibly after European explorers like Hernando de Soto arrived.
Forming Morehouse Parish
Morehouse Parish was officially created in 1844. This happened because more and more people were moving into the area. It's thought that a small farming community started near where Oak Ridge is today around that time.
Oldest Buildings and Structures
One of the oldest buildings in the entire parish is Cedars Plantation. It was built in 1840 and is located at 4987 Lake Irwin Road. This historic home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. After being empty for a few years, there were plans to restore it in 2010.
Another very old building in Oak Ridge is a small wooden jail. It was built around 1850. This jail is special because it's believed to be the last wooden jail from before the American Civil War that is still standing in Louisiana. The jail suggests that Oak Ridge might have been an important place for the parish back then. It was used to hold people before the Civil War. Today, this historic jail is at the Louisiana State University - Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge.
Oak Ridge officially became a village in 1882. The village, like many other towns along the Mississippi River, was affected by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Geography
Oak Ridge is located in the southern part of Morehouse Parish. Its exact location is 32°37′25″N 91°46′28″W / 32.62361°N 91.77444°W. U.S. Route 425 is a main road that goes through the village. If you go north and west on this road, you'll reach Bastrop, which is about 16 miles away and is the main town of the parish. If you go south, you'll find Rayville, about 10 miles away.
The village covers a total area of about 0.99 square miles, and all of it is land. The ancient Jordan Mounds are located just one mile north of the village.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 296 | — | |
| 1900 | 348 | 17.6% | |
| 1910 | 332 | −4.6% | |
| 1920 | 318 | −4.2% | |
| 1930 | 260 | −18.2% | |
| 1940 | 373 | 43.5% | |
| 1950 | 287 | −23.1% | |
| 1960 | 287 | 0.0% | |
| 1970 | 276 | −3.8% | |
| 1980 | 257 | −6.9% | |
| 1990 | 174 | −32.3% | |
| 2000 | 142 | −18.4% | |
| 2010 | 144 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 124 | −13.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 142 people living in Oak Ridge. These people lived in 63 different homes, and 38 of those homes were families. The village had about 143 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Oak Ridge were White (91.55%), and some were African American (7.75%). A small number (0.70%) were from two or more races.
About 28.6% of the homes had children under 18 living there. The average home had about 2.25 people, and the average family had about 2.95 people. The median age in the village was 41 years old.
Notable People
Oak Ridge has been home to some interesting people:
- Edwards Barham: He was a farmer from Oak Ridge. He also served as a Republican member in the Louisiana State Senate from 1976 to 1980. This means he helped make laws for the state of Louisiana.
- Abner Wimberly: He was a professional football player. He played as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Dons and the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
Images for kids
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Oak Ridge Town Hall (Right) and Oak Ridge Branch Library (Left)
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Main Street of Oak Ridge Louisiana
See also
In Spanish: Oak Ridge (Luisiana) para niños
