Ragley, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ragley, Louisiana
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 Ragley, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
Ragley, Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Beauregard |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70657
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| Area code(s) | 337 |
| GNIS feature ID | 555751 |
Ragley is a small community in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, United States. It's not an official city or town, but a place where people live and work. Ragley is located where two major roads meet: U.S. routes 171 and 190. It is about 20 miles north of Lake Charles. The community has its own post office with the ZIP code 70657.
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History of Ragley, Louisiana
Ragley started as a town built around a sawmill. This happened after another mill, also named Ragley, closed in Texas between 1900 and 1912. The owners of the Texas mill, W. G. Ragley, Martin J. Ragley, Frank J. Ragley, and A. H. Schluter, then opened a new mill in Louisiana.
Early Sawmill Operations
The sawmill in Louisiana began making lumber by 1915. It was a big operation, able to produce 110,000 feet of lumber each day. The mill had its own electricity and a special area for smoothing wood. It also had 12 miles of train tracks to help move the lumber.
Hollingsworth School Building
In 1935, construction began on a new school building in Ragley. This school, called Hollingsworth School, was made of brick and had 10 rooms. Workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build it. The school was finished in 1937. The WPA was a government program during the Great Depression that created jobs for people.
Purple Heart Park & Pond
Ragley is home to the Purple Heart Walking Park & Fishing Pond. This park is a special place that honors wounded military veterans. It was officially opened on January 11, 2014.
Park Features and Activities
The park covers 19 acres and offers several things to do. It has a half-mile long walking path that is eight feet wide. There is also a playground for kids to enjoy. A 2.5-acre pond is available for fishing.
Community Effort and Fish Stocking
Creating the park was a team effort. The Beauregard Parish Police Jury, the Louisiana Department of Transportation, and the South Beauregard Recreation District No. 2 all worked together. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries helps keep the pond stocked with fish. They regularly add Channel Catfish and Rainbow Trout for people to catch.
