West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Feliciana Parish
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Parish
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Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
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 Louisiana's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Louisiana |
| Founded | 1824 |
| Named for | Marie Félicité de Gálvez |
| Seat | St. Francisville |
| Largest town | St. Francisville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 403 sq mi (1,040 km2) |
| • Water | 23 sq mi (60 km2) 5.3% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,310 |
| • Density | 35.94/sq mi (13.876/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
West Feliciana Parish is a special kind of county in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It's called a parish there. In 2020, about 15,310 people lived here. The main town and government center is St. Francisville. West Feliciana Parish was created in 1824.
Before 1824, this area was part of a larger place called Feliciana Parish. As more people moved in, it was split into two: West Feliciana Parish and East Feliciana Parish. West Feliciana Parish is now part of the bigger Baton Rouge city area.
You can find the River Bend Nuclear Generating Station here, which makes a lot of electricity for Louisiana. Also, the Louisiana State Penitentiary, a large prison, is located in the parish. It covers a huge area of 18,000 acres, surrounded by water on three sides.
Contents
Exploring West Feliciana's Past
Early Settlements and European Control
In the late 1600s, French monks started a settlement called Bayou Sara. Sadly, the Mississippi River often flooded it, and it was eventually washed away.
Over time, different European countries controlled this area.
- After 1763, Great Britain took over from France. It became part of their West Florida province.
- Around 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, Spain gained control. They ruled for about 30 years.
Becoming Part of the United States
In 1810, colonists, many of whom were British, decided to rebel against Spanish rule. They formed their own short-lived country called the Republic of West Florida. However, the United States soon said this area was part of the Louisiana Purchase from 1803. Today, this region is known as the Florida Parishes.
The original Feliciana Parish was formed in 1810. Two years later, Louisiana became a state. As more people moved in, Feliciana Parish was divided in 1824 into East and West Feliciana parishes.
West Feliciana During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, West Feliciana Parish helped families of soldiers fighting for the Confederate States of America. They gave money each month to wives and children, depending on how many people were in the family.
Geography and Natural Features
West Feliciana Parish covers about 426 square miles. Most of this is land (403 square miles), and about 23 square miles (5.3%) is water.
The parish is right on the Mississippi River. It's bordered by Pointe Coupee Parish to the west and East Feliciana Parish to the east. It's about 30 miles north of Baton Rouge and 60 miles south of Natchez, Mississippi.
The author Walker Percy used this area as the setting for his novel The Thanatos Syndrome. He even mentioned the unique soil and the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Main Roads in the Parish
U.S. Highway 61
Louisiana Highway 10
Louisiana Highway 66
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Neighboring Parishes and Counties
West Feliciana Parish shares borders with several other areas:
- Wilkinson County, Mississippi (north)
- East Feliciana Parish (east)
- East Baton Rouge Parish (south)
- West Baton Rouge Parish (south)
- Pointe Coupee Parish (southwest)
- Avoyelles Parish (northwest)
- Concordia Parish (northwest)
Protected Natural Areas
- Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special area set aside to protect wildlife.
Communities in West Feliciana
Towns and Cities
- St. Francisville is the only official town and the parish seat.
Other Communities
These are smaller areas that are not officially towns:
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 12,732 | — | |
| 1830 | 8,629 | −32.2% | |
| 1840 | 10,910 | 26.4% | |
| 1850 | 13,245 | 21.4% | |
| 1860 | 11,671 | −11.9% | |
| 1870 | 10,499 | −10.0% | |
| 1880 | 12,809 | 22.0% | |
| 1890 | 15,062 | 17.6% | |
| 1900 | 15,994 | 6.2% | |
| 1910 | 13,449 | −15.9% | |
| 1920 | 12,303 | −8.5% | |
| 1930 | 10,924 | −11.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,720 | 7.3% | |
| 1950 | 10,169 | −13.2% | |
| 1960 | 12,395 | 21.9% | |
| 1970 | 11,376 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 12,186 | 7.1% | |
| 1990 | 12,915 | 6.0% | |
| 2000 | 15,111 | 17.0% | |
| 2010 | 15,625 | 3.4% | |
| 2020 | 15,310 | −2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 |
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In 2020, there were 15,310 people living in West Feliciana Parish. The population includes people from different backgrounds:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 10,585 | 69.14% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,589 | 23.44% |
| Native American | 95 | 0.62% |
| Asian | 30 | 0.2% |
| Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 355 | 2.32% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 651 | 4.25% |
The average age of people in the parish was about 41.4 years old in 2019. Many people own their homes here, with about 73.2% of households being homeowners.
It's important to know that a significant part of the parish's population includes people living at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). For example, in 2007, about 5,000 of the 15,318 people in the parish were prisoners.
Education and Learning
The West Feliciana Parish Public Schools system runs the public schools in the area. All students attend Bains Lower Elementary, Bains Elementary, West Feliciana Middle School, and West Feliciana High School. Tunica Elementary School used to be a parish school but closed in 2011.
Some students also go to Wilkinson County Christian Academy in nearby Mississippi.
The West Feliciana Parish Library is located in St. Francisville. It became its own independent library system in 2004.
Because the parish is close to Baton Rouge, students also have access to larger colleges like Louisiana State University, Southern University, and Baton Rouge Community College.
Local News and Media
West Feliciana Parish has a history of local newspapers and publications.
The St. Francisville Democrat
The St. Francisville Democrat was the main local newspaper, started in 1892. It was first called "The True Democrat." Over the years, it was owned by different families. In 1979, it was bought by Louisiana Suburban Press. Later, in 2014, it was sold to Capital City Press Inc., which also owns The Advocate, a big newspaper in Baton Rouge.
Other Local Publications
- The Feliciana Explorer is another local publication. It's mailed to homes in both East and West Feliciana parishes.
- The Angolite is a unique news magazine. It's created and published by people at the Louisiana State Penitentiary and comes out six times a year.
Famous People from West Feliciana
- General Robert Hilliard Barrow: He was the 27th leader of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983.
- Cheston Folkes: He served as a state representative for West Feliciana Parish for many years.
- John Richard Rarick: An attorney and a U.S. Representative from St. Francisville.
- Major Thibaut: He has been a state representative for District 18, which includes West Feliciana Parish, since 2008.
- Sheadrick Turner: An Illinois state representative, newspaper editor, and lawyer who lived from 1869 to 1927.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Parroquia de West Feliciana para niños
