Winnfield, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Winnfield, Louisiana
City
Downtown Winnfield
Location of Winnfield in Winn Parish, Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Winn
Government
• Type	City council/mayor
Area
• Total	3.64 sq mi (9.43 km2)
• Land	3.64 sq mi (9.43 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	128 ft (39 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,153
• Density	1,140.31/sq mi (440.32/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	71483
Area code(s)	318
FIPS code	22-82460

Winnfield is a small city located in Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is the main town and the "parish seat" of Winn Parish. A parish seat is like a county seat, where the local government offices are located. In 2020, about 4,153 people lived there. Winnfield is famous for being the hometown of three Louisiana governors: Huey Long, Earl K. Long, and Oscar K. Allen.

History of Winnfield

Stores in Winnfield in 1904

The courthouse in Winnfield, 1904

Winnfield became the official parish seat when Winn Parish was created in 1852. During the American Civil War, some small battles happened near Winnfield. Confederate soldiers won a fight against Union troops who were trying to destroy the Drake's Salt Works in the area.

Important Leaders from Winnfield

Winnfield is known for being the home of three Louisiana governors.

• Huey Long was a very important political leader. He served as governor and then as a U.S. Senator.
• Oscar K. Allen was elected governor in 1932.
• Earl Long, also known as "the Louisiana Longshot," held many state jobs. He was elected governor three times: in 1939, 1948, and 1956. He was also elected to Congress in 1960.

Winnfield's Salt Production History

During the Civil War, Winnfield was a major producer of salt. Salt was very important for preserving food and was used by the Confederate army. Salt kettles at Big Cedar and Drake's Salt Works helped supply this vital resource. Today, one of these old salt kettles is a fountain in front of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.

Later, the Cary Salt Works started a deep mine west of Winnfield. This mine was used by the U.S. government for a project called "Project Cowboy." This project involved setting off explosives deep inside the mine between 1959 and 1960. The mine was later flooded by an underground river and abandoned.

A rock quarry that produces limestone and gravel still operates near the old salt mine. It is now known as Winn Rock.

Geography of Winnfield

Winnfield covers a total area of about 3.64 square miles (9.43 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water within the city limits.

Population and People

The population of Winnfield has changed over the years. In 2020, the city had 4,153 residents. There were 1,967 households and 1,173 families living in Winnfield at that time.

Diversity in Winnfield

The people living in Winnfield come from different backgrounds. Here's a look at the racial makeup of the city as of 2020:

Economy and Jobs

Winnfield City Hall

As of 2014, the main job providers in Winnfield included Walmart, the Winn Correctional Center, and local lumber mills. These businesses offer many jobs to the people living in the area.

Arts and Culture

Winnfield has places and events that celebrate its history and local traditions.

Museums to Visit

• The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is located in Winnfield. It teaches visitors about Louisiana's political history and famous leaders.

Annual Events and Festivals

• Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials is a yearly event where people show off their "bay dogs." These dogs are specially trained to help with hunting.
• The Louisiana Forest Festival celebrates the importance of forests and the timber industry in the state.

Education in Winnfield

Winnfield has public schools and a college campus for higher education.

Public Schools

The Winn Parish School Board manages the public schools in the area. These include:

• Winnfield Senior High School (for grades 9-12)
• Winnfield Middle School (for grades 5-8)
• Winnfield Primary School (for grades K-4)

Higher Education

• The Huey P. Long campus of Central Louisiana Technical Community College is in Winnfield. This college offers technical and community education programs.

Media and News

Winnfield has local newspapers, a TV channel, and a radio station to keep residents informed and entertained.

Local Newspapers

• The Piney Woods Journal
• Winn Parish Enterprise
• Winn Parish Journal

Television and Radio

• KCDH-LP is a local TV channel available on cable.
• KVCL-FM is a radio station that plays country music.

Notable People from Winnfield

Many interesting people have come from Winnfield, Louisiana.

• A. Leonard Allen, a U.S. Congressman.
• Oscar K. Allen, a governor of Louisiana.
• George Washington Bolton, a successful businessman.
• Harley Bozeman, a tree farmer, politician, and historian.
• P. J. Brown, a professional basketball player.
• John Burrows, a professional baseball player.
• Randy Fenoli, a fashion designer known from TV shows like Say Yes to the Dress.
• Earl K. Long, a governor of Louisiana.
• Gillis William Long, a U.S. Congressman.
• Huey Pierce Long Jr., a governor and U.S. Senator from Louisiana.
• Speedy Long, a U.S. Congressman who went to high school in Winnfield.
• Dick Merrill, a famous aviator.
• Thomas D. Milling, a brigadier general in the United States Air Force.
• Preston Powell, a professional football player.
• William Jay Smith, who was a Poet Laureate for the Library of Congress.
• Anthony Thomas, a professional football player.
• Jack Wallace, a professional baseball player and minor league manager.

See also

In Spanish: Winnfield para niños