flown over Natchitoches. Historic Natchitoches April...

FRANCE 1714-1763

SPAIN 1763-1801

UNITED STATES 1960-PRESENT

CONFEDERATE STATES 1861-65

UNITED STATES 1803-61

FRANCE 1801-1803

STATE FLAG OF LOUISIANA

CITY OF NATCHITOCHES

HHistoricistoric NNatchitochesatchitoches ®®

A Free Guide to Leisure and Attractions Courtesy of The Natchitoches Times

300 years of flags that haveflown over Natchitoches.

A p r i l 2 0 1 4

STEEL MAGNOLIAS AND OTHER TOUR MAPSPAGES 7-10

MELROSE PLANTATION HISTORY, AND ARTSFESTIVAL INFORMATION, ON PAGE 12

NATCHITOCHES TRICENTENNIAL “MUSIC HERITAGE” CELEBRATION ON PAGE 3

Entering downtown his-toric Natchitoches, visitorsfeel transported to anotherera.

Traveling along bumpybrick roads reminiscent ofpre-asphalt travel, younotice ornate ironwork onthe bridges and shops,horse-drawn carriagesaround the historic districtand locals who smile andgreet you with a friendlywave. Welcome toNatchitoches.

Founded in 1714 by LouisJuchereau de St. Denis, thecity of Natchitoches wasoriginally established as aFrench outpost on the RedRiver to facilitate tradewith the Spanish in Mexico.

The fort, which was to bediscovered, was built some-where along the west bankof the Red River near a vil-lage of NatchitochesIndians, a Native Americangroup whose tribal namemeans “Chinquapin-eaters.”

At the time of the estab-lishment of St. Denis’ fort,navigation of the Red Riverwas prohibited by a mas-sive log jam that was bro-ken up during a flood in the1830s.

Thus, the Red Riverchanged its course, leavinga 36-mile-long oxbow lakecalled Cane River that runsthrough the downtownNational LandmarkDistrict.

Once a bustling riverportand crossroads,Natchitoches gave rise tovast cotton kingdoms alongthe river. Affluent plantersnot only owned charmingcountry plantations, butkept elegant houses intown.

The Red River’s abandon-ment of Natchitoches iso-lated the community, pre-

serving its historic build-ings and the deeply-ingrained traditions of itsresidents along the CaneRiver.

With its French, Spanish,Native American, African

and Anglo-Saxon influ-ences, Natchitoches main-tains a colorful palette ofethnic tradition, hospitali-ty and pride in the past thatresidents share with visi-tors.

HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES APRIL 2014

Ins ide . . .Ins ide . . .Outdoor Recreation in Kisatchie.....Page 4

Minor Basilica of the ImmaculateConception..................................Page 5

Meat Pie Facts.......................... . . .Page 6

Maps, Walking Tours, NSU Tour and Cane River Tour . . . . . . Pages 7-10

Local Native American History......Page 11

Melrose Historic Plantation . . . . . Page 12

Sports Hall of Fame................Page 13- 14

Cane River Creole National Park....Page 15

Fort St. Jean Baptiste....................Page 16

For more information on local history and events contact:Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission

781 Front Street; Natchitoches, LA 71457 (318) 352-8072 or 1-800-259-1714

Web site: www.natchitoches.net

‘Historic Natchitoches’ is a monthly publication of The Natchitoches Times

To advertise in this publication contact The Natchitoches Times

P.O. Box 448Natchitoches, LA 71458

On the CoverNatchitoches celebrates 300 years through-out 2014. April will feature various exhibitsand presentations with Music Heritage as thetheme.

Welcome to Natchitoches:Enjoy your stay in our historic town

APRIL 2014 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES

The Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Celebrationbegins January 1, 2014 witha year-long celebrationhighlighting the history,culture, people, architectureand cuisine that has madeNatchitoches a favorite des-tination since 1714.

Tri-Centennial celebratesLouisiana’s oldest city withover 160 events alreadyplanned and more to beadded. The focus of the cel-ebration is Second Saturdayevents where each monthhas a theme relating toNatchitoches history withmany events following thetheme but located on theSecond Saturday of everymonth. March is theColonial Heritage month.

Natchitoches historydates to Colonial Americaas Natchitoches was thefirst permanent settlementin the Louisiana Purchaseterritory, the city served asa gateway of developmentto the West. Fort St. JeanBaptiste State Historic Sitewill host a number ofevents and exhibits fromthe period that helpedframe our colonial heritage.

April is Music Heritagemonth. Music has alwaysbeen important to the peo-ple of Natchitoches. Themonth of April includes theJazz/R&B Festival, a trib-ute to the Big Band soundsof Glenn Miller and otherslike him, and the début of acompilation of originalmusic written and per-formed by

Natchitoches residents.National Park Week andEarth Day will be celebrat-ed in April as well. Women’sHistory month is in May.The contributions made byextraordinary women toNatchitoches, such as leg-endary folk artistClementine Hunter andmatriarch of nationallyknown Melrose Plantation,Cammie Henry, will be cele-brated in May. Otherdynamic events take placein May such as the annualMelrose Arts and CraftsFestival. Also highlightedthis month will be life in theAntebellum South and edu-cation. June is the Sportsand Recreation month.

The new LouisianaSports Hall of Fame andNorthwest LouisianaHistory Museum is featuredin this month with the 2014

hall of fame induction classas the centerpiece in thiscelebration. The buildingwas just named the toparchitectural design/pro-ject in the world by AzureMagazine for 2013. Football,basketball, hunting, fishingand other sports are high-lighted this month. July isLouisiana Heritage month.Natchitoches celebrates itsdiverse history and culturein July while joining thecountry in a largeIndependence DayCelebration on the 4th.Arts, crafts and perfor-mances will representNatchitoches’ history at the35th annual Natchitoches-Northwestern FolkFestival. In addition, thefestival hosts the LouisianaState Fiddle Championship.Art in August is the themefor August. A plan is under-way to exhibit the world’slargest beaded mosaic ofdowntown Natchitoches.Our famous downtownbrick-paved Front Streetwill feature Art Along theBricks. Artists will display,sell and demonstrate hand-made fine arts and craftsincluding paintings, sculp-tures, jewelry, woodworkand drawings.

Also in August is theannual Cane River ZydecoFestival. September isFounders’ Day month. Themonth begins with a birth-day party for the founder ofNatchitoches, LouisJuchereau de St. Denis.Natchitoches will celebratethe Tri-Centennial with agospel extravaganza, andthe annual NatchitochesMeat Pie Festival. CreoleHeritage is the theme forOctober. Natchitoches’Creole Heritage is celebrat-ed in October with CreoleFrench markets and cele-brations along the CaneRiver as well as CreoleHeritage Day. October alsowelcomes the Fall Tour ofHomes, plantation tours, aHaunted History tour of theAmerican Cemetery, the St.Augustine Church Fair andthe “Return to the 50’sAntique Car Show”. InNovember veterans will behonored with the themeHonoring Our Veterans. Atribute to our veterans,reenactments, a Cane Riverhomecoming and a natural-ization ceremony highlightthe theme. Also in

November, we will celebratethe 20th anniversary ofCane River NationalHeritage Area and CaneRiver Creole NationalHistorical Park. Also beinghighlighted throughout themonth is the 150th anniver-sary of the region’s RedRiver Campaign of the CivilWar and historic NativeAmerican exhibits are fea-tured.

For detailed informationabout all the events go towww.natchitoches300.comor visit the Natchitoches

Tri-Centennial FestivalFacebook page and like usto be eligible for excitinggiveaways including all-expense paid trips to selectSecond Saturday events. Ifyou are a group or organiza-tion and wish to host a

Tri-Centennial eventplease contact RonMcBride, Tri-CentennialManager at (318) 238-5489 oremail [email protected]. Events willcontinue to be addedthroughout the year. Theevents should relate to

Natchitoches history orshowcase the people, histo-ry, culture and cuisine ofLouisiana’s oldest city.School groups are encour-aged to sponsor an event aswell. A group is beingformed called the Tri-Centennial Ambassadorsand includes people of allages who wish to helpNatchitoches with the Tri-Centennial events. Contactthe manager for informa-tion. So be part of the cele-bration of Natchitoches,“300 years in the making.”

Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Celebration continues

10AM-10PM Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival Enjoy the Jazz and R&B sounds of the region with some of the top musical performers in our area. Headlining Saturday night is The Marshall Tucker Band. Natchitoches Riverfront, Admission charged.

10AM-4PM Exhibition “The Red River Campaign & the Songs of Natchitoches Open house and exhibition of the music of Natchitoches with Louisiana Poet Laureate Dr. Julie Kane and local poets. The story of the creation of “The Ballet of St. Denis” will be shared and a display featuring the Red River Campaign will be available. Lemee House, 310 Jefferson Street. Free Admission.

10AM-2PM Music at Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS Discover the sounds of traditional French and gospel music. Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, 155 Jefferson Street. Regular park fees apply.

For More Information: 1-800-259-1714 ~

www.Natchitoches300.com

1PM Tri-Centennial Celebration Jazz Concert A special performance by the Northwestern State University Jazz Ensemble, featuring musical pieces celebrating Natchitoches’ 300 years of history. Magale Recital Hall, NSU.

5PM-10PM Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival Enjoy the Jazz and R&B sounds of the region with some of the top musical performers in our area. Headlining Friday night is Bon Journey. Natchitoches Riverfront, Free Admission.

7PM Natchitoches Songwriters Music Competition and Performance Showcase Competition and Showcase featuring original music written and performed by musicians of Natchito-ches Parish. Natchitoches Events Center, 750 2nd Street. Free Admission.

2PM Dedication of the Margaret and Susan Harling Memorial Garden and Reception at the Samuel Guy House The Margaret Harling and Susan Harling Robinson Memorial Gar-den is located on the corner of Pine and Cypress Street and features an interpretive plaque commemorating the lives of Margaret and Susan Harling. A reception will follow the dedication at the Samuel Guy House and will feature vignette performances by the NSU thea-tre department of the Steel Magnolias play. Samuel Guy House, 309 Pine Street.

7:30PM Steel Magnolias The Northwestern State University Theatre Program presents a story of friendship and true southern style. Steel Magnolias, written by Natchitoches native and playwright Robert Harling is centered on the story of six women who are as delicate as Magnolias, but tough as steel. NSU, LSMSA Treen Auditorium.

Visitors to KisatchieRanger District can enjoypanoramic views from thesandstone bluffs on theLongleaf Vista RecreationArea, feel the cool cur-rents, white sandy beaches

and rocky rapids atKisatchie Bayou, experi-ence a wilderness chal-lenge in the nationally des-ignated Kisatchie HillsWilderness, drive leisurelyalong the 17-mile Longleaf

Trail Scenic Byway or ATVtrail riding on theSandstone Trail.

The Longleaf VistaRecreation Area lies on aridge that provides excel-lent views of the 8,700 acreKisatchie Hills Wilderness,which surrounds the Vistaon three sides. This popu-lar day-use recreation areaoffers a variety of opportu-nities including picnick-ing, a 1.5 mile interpretivetrail and access to thewilderness.

Locally known as theLittle Grand Canyon, thewilderness area is afavored place among hikersand horseback riders whooften enter along theBackbone Trail.

Kisatchie BayouRecreation Area offers dayuse picnicking, swimming,fishing and canoeing on thebayou, and hiking, biking

and horseback riding onthe Caroline Dormon Trail.Camping areas are orient-ed towards walk-in tentcamping along the banks ofKisatchie Bayou.

The district administerstwo developed recreationareas, Kisatchie BayouRecreation Area andLongleaf Vista RecreationArea. User fees arecharged at Kisatchie Bayouand the Cane and LotusHunter Camps.

Day-use fees are $2 pervehicle at Kisatchie Bayou,$2 per vehicle at Cane andLotus and 50 cents per per-son, walk or bike-in.

Camping fees are $2 pernight at Kisatchie Bayouand $3 per night at Caneand Lotus.

The district offers visi-tors numerous dispersedactivities that include ninescenic overlooks, 12 miles

of wilderness hiking trails,canoeing over 20 milesdown Kisatchie Bayou, 50miles of multiple-use trailsand a 17-mil nationalscenic byway andpanoramic vistas.

The National Red DirtWildlife ManagementPreserve is a popular areafor various hunting oppor-tunities. State licenses andregulations apply, alongwith an additional manage-ment preserve permitissued by the Forest.Seasonal designated camp-ing areas or Hunter Campsare established in andaround the managementpreserve during huntingseason.

For more information,call or write to KisatchieRanger District, Hwy. 6West, Natchitoches, LA71457, (318) 352-2568.


Welcome to the City ofNatchitoches! Founded in1714, Natchitoches is proudto be the oldest permanentsettlement in the entireLouisiana Purchase. Wehope you plan to join us forour Tricentennial

Celebration in 2014!Natchitoches is a wonder-

ful place to visit and an evenbetter place to call home.Natchitoches is filled withfriendly people, naturalbeauty, and a true sense ofcommunity.

Natchitoches is fortunateto be home to NorthwesternState University, the finesthigh-learning institution inthe State of Louisiana andthe Louisiana School forMath, Science, and the Arts,one of the top high schools

in the nation. Our community is also

home to the Cane RiverNational Heritage Area, theCane River Creole NationalPark, a National HistoricLandmark district, one ofonly three in the state, andthe Ft. St. Jean BaptisteState Historic Site, just toname a few. We are also aCertified RetirementCommunity and our down-town was named as one ofthe ‘Top 10 Most RomanticDowntowns’ in the country

by the National Trust forHistoric Preservation.

Whatever your passion,we feel we are a destinationthat has everything you arelooking for. History buffscan explore our State andNational Parks and NationalHistoric District. Familiescan shop, dine, and playdowntown and visit theNatchitoches Alligator Park.

If romance is what you’relooking for, come and stay inone of our many B&B’s,schedule a spa day at one of

our area spas, visit BeauJardin, the city’s newest gar-den and water feature on thedowntown riverbank, andenjoy a romantic dinner atone of our downtown restau-rants.

Thank you for vacation-ing in Natchitoches. Wehope that you come for theweekend and stay for a life-time. Please feel free to con-tact my office at (318) 352-2772 or by email at [email protected] ifyou need anything at all.

A message from Mayor Lee Posey:

Thanks for visiting Natchitoches

REALTOR®

PLS

Visit our Web Site at:www.caneheritagerealty.com

357-8220 • 560 Front St. WE WORK EVENINGS & WEEKENDSCALL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Visit Kisatchie National Forest for great outdoor recreation

• Recognized in 2007 as a Preserve America Presidential Award Winner

• Listed as one of the Ten Bargain Retirement Spots by U S News & World Report

• Named as a 2006 Great American Main Street Award Winner by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

• N amed as one of the 2005 Dozen Distinctive Destination in the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

www.natchitochesla.gov

According to availablerecords, the history ofImmaculate ConceptionChurch began in 1717, orperhaps 1716, when theFranciscan, Fr. AntonioMargil de Jesus, walked the21 miles from the SpanishMission at Los Adaes to sayMass at the French militarypost in Natchitoches.Services were also held inthe home of LouisJuchereau de St. Denis,commandant of the post,and his wife, Dona Manuela.

The present church wasbuilt in 1857; however, it wasnot entirely completed until1892 when Bishop Durieradded the dome on thetower, constructed the pre-sent sanctuary and sac-risties, added the altar andtile floor. The church wasrestored and redecorated in1955-56 when the frontvestibule and entrance wereadded.

On the south corner ofthe church is a plaque com-memorating the first publicreligious service held inNatchitoches.

The date is given as 1716;however, records now avail-able give 1717 as the date.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. A.Piegay, Vicar General, andFr. A. Andries are buried infront of the church.

All fittings and furnish-ings, except the pews, wereimported from France: themain altar, the hand-paintedStations of the Cross, theStatue of Blessed VirginMary over the main altar,the chandeliers and the lad-

der located in the choir.The spiral staircase lead-

ing to the choir is unique inthat it has no center sup-port. The wooden BaptismalFont, beneath the staircase,was handcarved in France.

Bishop Augustin Martin,the first bishop of theNatchitoches Diocese andhis Vicar General PierreF.Dicharry, are buried in thechurch near the side altars.

Across the street are theRectory and the OldSeminary built in 1855 tohouse and educate seminar-ians.

The Bishop MartinMuseum is now locatedthere and is the depositoryfor early records, datingfrom 1724, and for churchartifacts including a silverbell dated 1836.

Back of the Seminary onTrudeau Street is the bish-op’s residence erected byBishop Martin.

At one time a similar butlarger edifice was directlyacross from the residenceon the corner of Second andTrudeau streets, with awide brick walk betweenthe two.


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The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

A combination of beauty & history

The Natchitoches meatpie is a regional dish whoseingredients include groundbeef, ground pork, onions,peppers, garlic, oil, and a pieshell.

Natchitoches meat piesare often fried in peanut oilbecause of the oil’s highsmoking temperature.

A number of restaurantsin the historic district inNatchitoches serve meatpies, and frozen pies areavailable from grocers innorthern Louisiana.

It has a savory meat fillingin a crescent-shaped, flakywheat pastry turnover. It issimilar to a Spanish picadil-lo beef empanada. Varietiesare throughout the coloniesof the Spanish Empire.

This meat pie is not gener-ally available from otherethnic regions of Louisiana“The Picayune’s CreoleCook Book” published 1901by The Times Picayune ofNew Orleans contains noth-ing comparable toNatchitoches meat pies inits list of over a thousandrecipes.

Recently, Natchitochesmeat pies sold at food boothshave become popular at theNew Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival.

The recipe has evolvedover the last 300 years.Ground pork or porksausage is now blended intothe ground beef for addi-tional flavor.

Onions, bell pepper andwhen used garlic and pars-ley provide aromatics.Ground black pepper and

cayenne pepper are added toget attention without beinguncomfortable.

Flour is added to brownedmeat and vegetable mixtureto dry, thicken and looselybind the filling.

The meat filling can beused in other foods (e.g.tacos, tamales, enchiladas,

stuffed bell peppers) but theturnover crust is a definingelement.

Traditional size is approxi-mately 4 ounce (by weight) on5”- 6” diameter pastry dough.

The filling should be madethe day before to allow flavorsof the ingredients to meld.

Filling, dough and toolsshould be chilled before

assembly. Warm filling willcause the dough to disinte-grate.

In the first part of the 20thcentury, meat pies were soldfrom home kitchens or fromcarts by street vendors.

By 1967, Natchitoches meatpies were produced in com-mercial kitchens. Now, they

may be ordered online. Thisprogression has allowedmore people to experiencethe memorable meat pies andtheir fame continues to grow.

The Meat Pie Festival, heldin September, celebrates theNatchitoches meat pie.

The festival draws visitorsfrom around the globe tosample the tasty pies.


Meat Pie is tasty treat identified with Natchitoches

The meat pies are ready for the hot grease.

Meat pies are good eaten by themselves or with dirtyrice.

1000 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA

• FREE High Speed Wireless Internet • FREE Continental Breakfast • FREE 32” remote controlled flat screen TV w/Expanded Cable, HBO, CNN, ESPN

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but don’t forget our ... Red Beans & Rice with Sausage Southern Fried Catfish Platters

and for dessert our Cane River Cream Pie

Open Mon-Sat 7am-3pm for Breakfast & Lunch

Open later on Saturdays for NSU and City Events Meat Pie Restaurant

A Natchitoches Tradition Come join us and choose from our unique menu featuring a blend of Soulful Louisiana Creole Flavors.

622 Second Street • Natchitoches, LA • 352-3353

We’re famous for our award winning MEAT PIES and CRAWFISH PIES

The Association For The Preservation of

Historic Natchitoches Invites You To Visit… Our National Historic Landmarks

Melrose Plantation Complex (Nine Buildings)

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Tours start at 10:15 am

and continueevery hour after Groups by Appointment

318-379-0055 16 Miles South Of Natchitoches

In Cane River Country


Formerly the resi-dence for 10N o r t h w e s t e r n

presidents, theOld President’sCottage was reno-

vated for theA l u m n iCenter in 1984.Built in 1927 ofF r e n c hN o r m a n d yarchitecture,the buildinghas been desig-nated a nation-al landmark.

The historical signifi-cance of Cane RiverCountry is undisput-ed. Because of thisheritage, the federalgovernment chose

Natchitoches as thesite for the NationalCenter forP r e s e r v a t i o nTechnology andTraining. The OldW o m e n ’ sGymnasium, NelsonHall, has beenrestored for the per-manent headquartersof the center.

Northwestern State hasbeen dedicated to prepar-

ing teachers for careers ineducation since its found-ing in 1884. One symbol ofthat legacy is the one-roomschoolhouse, which wasthe St. Nichols School,which was established insouth Natchitoches Parishin 1906. The school was inuse until 1924 and wasdonated to NSU in 1981.

The archives ofWatson Libraryand theW i l l i a m s o nMuseum inKyser Hall exhib-

it historical hold-ings from thelocal and region-al culture.C o n t r i bu t i o n sfrom citizens andhistorians repre-sent archaeologi-cal resources ofIndian and ante-bellum influ-ences.

NSU Demonsplay SouthlandConference foot-ball at TurpinStadium.

The Wellness,R e c r e a t i o nand ActivityCenter is locat-ed in the heartof theNorthwester nState campusand providesmore than10,000 square feet ofspace with weightand cardio machines,basketball courts,

racquetball courts, anarea for aerobics, ajogging track andmore.

Northwestern StateUniversity has beenan important part ofthe Natchitoches com-munity since it wasestablished in 1884.Three columns of theBullard Mansion thatoriginally stood on thegrounds, serve as theunofficial symbol of theuniversity.

Northwestern’s students and facultyshare diverse talents in drama andart with the community.

The Hanchey Gallery oftenexhibits the best works of itsfaculty and students.

Northwestern State University Tour

Chaplin Lake furtherenhances the historiccampus that servesmore than 9,000 stu-dents.

The A.A. Fredericks Fine Arts Center regularly featuresperformances by the Natchitoches/NorthwesternSymphony Orchestra and theatre department.


MELROSE PLANTATION, 1796, is aNational Historic Landmark. Thecomplex includes the Big House,African and Yucca houses, weavingcabin and original home of primitivefolk artist Clementine Hunter. Theplantation is rich in history. and cul-ture that began with Marie ThereseCoincoin, an owner who was a freedwoman of color. The cultural high-

lights of the site were furthered during the Henry years as Miss Cammieprovided living quarters for writers. Clementine Hunter, renowned folkartist, painted here while employed as a domestic servant. Her muralsadorn the walls of the African House and her work is displayed in a gallerywithin the Big House. Melrose serves as the annual location for the MelroseArts and Crafts Festival in July. Tours are available daily.

OAKLAWNPLANTATION ,1830, is therestored home of“Steel Magnolias”author RobertHarling. Thisbousillage, three-story structuredisplays Creolearchitecture common to Cane River Country. The 680-foot oak avenue is the third longest in the state.

CHEROKEE PLANTATION, 1839, is list-ed on the National Register of HistoricPlaces and was the site of the famousBossier-Gaiennie duel, that was fought onthe savannah at the rear of Cherokee.This restored raised cottage is an impor-tant Creole structure and is often featuredduring the annual NatchitochesPilgrimage in February.

BEAU FORTP L A N TAT I O N ,1790, was built onthe former site ofFort Charles. It isan early Creole-style home and fea-tures an 84-footgallery and coveredrear patio. Many

special occasions are conducted at Beau Fort.

THE BADIN-ROQUE HOUSE isone of five structures of its typeremaining in the United Statesand the only one of its kind inLouisiana. Badin-Roque is listedon the National Register for his-toric places and has been nomi-nated for National Landmarkstatus. It is owned and main-tained by the St. AugustineHistorical Society.

THE ST. AUGUSTINECATHOLIC CHURCH is locatedat Isle Brevelle and was foundedand built by Augustine Metoyerand his brother Louis Metoyer in1803. St. Augustine Church is thefirst church in America estab-lished and maintained by free peo-ple of color. In 1829, when it wasblessed as a mission, it was giventhe name St. Augustine in honor

of St. Augustine. It was blessed as a church parish in 1856,and at that time, had four missions attached to it: St. Anns onOld River, St. Joseph at Bayou Derbonne, St. Anns, SpanishLake and St. Charles, Bermuda. The church was used as afilm site for Steel Magnolias.

MAGNOLIA PLANTATION,1830s, is one of only twoNational Bicentennial Farmswest of the Mississippi. Exceptfor the Big House, the complexis now part of the Cane RiverCreole National Historic Park.The original walls and founda-tion were reused after beingburned by General Banks in

1864. The two and one-half story structure has 27 rooms, including aCatholic chapel. The only cotton press still in its original location ishere along with the only row of brick slave quarters still standing inLouisiana. The plantation is closed to the public.

AAuuttoo TToouurr OOff CCaannee RRiivveerrAuto Tour of the

Cane River

OAKLAND PLANTATION, 1821, now partof the Cane River Creole National HistoricPark contains the finest examples of Creolearchitecture. The first cotton in the statewas planted on this plantation.


The AmericanCemetery representsthe many cultures andcountries that influ-enced the oldest settle-ment in the LouisianaPurchase. The site is theoriginal location of FortSt. Jean Baptiste.

Cane Country cavalierLouis Juchereau De St.Denis foundedNatchitoches in 1714.Fort St. Jean Baptistewas the French outposthe commanded. A replicaof the fort was built andpresents frequent livinghistory programs.

Several organizations that con-tribute to civic and preservationinterests in Natchitoches haverestored landmarks for use asheadquarters. The Prudhomme-Rouquier House was restored bythe Service League ofNatchitoches.

FRONT STREET of Natchitoches boasts historic sites that earnedthe oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase National HistoricLandmark designation. Santa, and the Christmas Belles as helpers,greet guests during the holi-day season at the Santa ClausHouse on the riverbank. TheRoque House, also along theriverbank, was relocated to itspresent location. An exampleof Creole architecture, theRoque House is constructed ofbousillage, a mixture ofSpanish moss, deer hair andmud.

Bells toll ante-bellum historiessurrounding thetwo landmarkchurches ofI m m a c u l a t eC o n c e p t i o nC a t h o l i cChurch, left,and TrinityE p i s c o p a lChurch, below.

The Natchitoches Parish OldParish Courthouse is home to a

genealogicallibrary andis a court-house withno court-room. It ison SecondStreet acrossthe streetfrom Churchof theImmaculateConception.

Walking Tour of the Historic District

1. Tourism Information Center2. Bust of St. Denis3. Sompayrac Building4. Unter House5. Chez des Amís6. Washington Square7. Breazeale House8. Tauzin House9. Fitzhugh House10. Roque House11. Kaffie-Frederick Store12. Ducournau Square Townhouse13. Blanchard Building14. Prudhomme Building15. St. Denis Tomb Plaque16. Nakatosh Hotel

17. Old Opera House18. DeBlieux Building19. Kaffie House20. Prudhomme-Roquier House21. Tante Huppe House22. Chamard House23. Metoyer Townhouse24. Levy-East House25. Bayou Amulet26. Rusca House

27. Laureate House28. Steel Magnolias House29. Metoyer-Winbarg House30. Lemee House31. Steel Magnolias House32. Queen Anne House33. Green Gables34. Plauche House35. Steamboat House36. Nelken House37. William and Mary Ackel House

38. Fort St. Jean Baptiste39. American Cemetery40. Dismukes House41. Judge Porter House42. Fleur de Lis House43. Chaplin House44. First Methodist Church45. First Baptist Church

46. Trinity Episcopal Church47. Cunningham Law Office/

Chamber of Commerce48. Bishop Martin’s Residence49. Catholic Rectory50. Church of the Immaculate

Conception51. Old Courthouse Museum

53. New Courthouse54. Old Masonic Lodge55. Exchange Bank56. H.A. Cook Building57. Fort Claiborne Guest House58. Wells Home59. Rose Lawn House60. Wheelwright Inn61. The Blessed House

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The Cunningham Law Office, left, serves as headquarters for theNatchitoches Historic Foundation and is open daily providingtourism information. The Lemee House is one of several proper-ties maintained by the Association for the Preservation of HistoricNatchitoches.


Sally Field por-trayed M’LynnEatenton, thewarm-hearted butiron-willed motherof a young bride.

Natchitoches residents were extras, includingthe late Norm Fletcher and Lori Tate. Fletcherand Tate played the bridegroom’s parents.

Robert Harling,author of“ S t e e lM a g n o l i a s , ”played the min-ister who mar-ried Shelby andJ a c k s o nLatcherie.

Drum Eatenton(Tom Skerritt)shoots at thebirds prior to thewedding recep-tion for hisdaughter, Shelby(Julia Roberts).

Truvy’s Beauty Shop was transformedinto a Christmas wonderland as the citycelebrated its annual Christmas Festival.D o l l yP a r t o n ’ squick wita n dS o u t h e r ncharm shinein her role asTruvy Jones.

Robert Harling,author of “SteelM a g n o l i a s , ”received a staron the St. DenisWalk of Honor.Each of thestars in the fea-ture filmreceived a star.Conferring theaward wasr e n o w n e dsportsman andNatchitoches resident GritsGresham.Much of thestory came from real life, based on the sacri-fices of Harling’s sister, Susan, and mother,Margaret, in his hometown of Natchitoches.

The Steel Magnolias House on JeffersonStreet was used during filming as thehome for M’Lynn and Drum Eatenton. Itis now a bed and breakfast inn.

‘Steel Magnolias’ Tour

“Steel Magnolias” stars, from left, JuliaRoberts, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton,Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and DarylHannah, portrayed six remarkable friends inthe southern town of Chinquapin.

The actresses commented onthe strength of the charactersand the sense of communitythat drew them to their parts.Meeting many of the real-lifecounterparts of their charac-ters also contributed to theiracclaimed performances.

Produced by Ray Stark, “Steel Magnolias”was directed by Herbert Ross. VictoriaWhite was the executive producer andAndrew Stone was the associate producer.

1. St. Augustine Catholic Church, La. Hwy. 493 atMelrose, Shelby’s wedding.

2.Northwestern State University Field House, postgame interviews.

3.American Cemetery on Second Street betweenDemeziere and the railroad tracks, Shelby’s funeral.

4. Lemee House, 310 Rue Jefferson, Ouiser’s house.

5.Steel Magnolia House, 320 Jefferson, Eatenton house.

6. Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 Second St., Truvy’s church.

7. Private home, 301 Rue Touline, Mrs. Robeline’s boardinghouse.

8. Chaplin House, 434 Second St., Aunt Fern’s house.

9. Walk of Honor, corner of Second Street and Rue St. Denis.

10. Blanchard Building, 700 block of Front Street, adjacent toDucournau Square, Truvy’s No. 2.

11. Riverfront behind Roque House, 800 block of WashingtonStreet, Easter egg hunt.

12. Private home, 515 St. Maurice Lane, Annelle and Sammy’shome.

13. Private home, 453 Henry Blvd., Truvy’s house.

14. Brookshire’s, Dixie Plaza Shopping Center, 318 Dixie Plazaon Keyser Avenue, shopping with Clairee and Ouiser.

15. Natchitoches Parish Hospital, 501 Keyser Ave., baby’s birth.

16. Tauzin Plantation Home, 1950 Williams Ave., Clairee’shome.

17. Odalie Lambre-Gwinn House, 1972 Williams Ave., Shelbyand Jackson’s house.

The Adai are NativeAmerican people who, atthe time of first contactwith Europeans, inhabitedan area from the Red Riverwestward into Texas.

At that time, the Adaiwere hunters, fishermenand farmers, cultivating avariety of fruits and veg-etables.

Their settlements con-sisted of family farms, usu-ally spread out along riversand streams.

As traders, they wereideally situated to becomea conduit for trade betweenthe Plains Indians west ofthe Sabine River and thetribes of the Southeast.

When horses and cattle,first introduced by theSpanish, ran wild acrossthe plains of Texas, theAdai became excellenthorsemen and some of theregion’s finest cowboys,rounding up mustangs andwild cattle for trade, thusenhancing their commerce.

With horses, they werealso able to hunt buffalofurther from home.

When the French found-ed Natchitoches in 1714,they found the Adai veryadept at trade and withtheir assistance, set uptrading partnerships withtribes beyond the Sabine.

To counter French influ-ence, the Spanish built themission San Miguel de losAdaes near the principalAdais village in 1717.

The Adai also quicklybecame a political bufferbetween the French andSpanish.

When war broke outbetween Spain and France,the mission was destroyed.But the Spanish returnedin 1721, rebuilding the mis-sion and building a fort,Presidio Nuestra Senora delos Adaes, which served asthe capitol of Texas foralmost 50 years.

Some of the Adai heldindividual land grantsfrom the Spanish govern-ment for thousands ofacres in Texas andLouisiana and becamesome of the first ranchersand cowboys in the region.

The benefits ofEuropeans brought to theAdai came with a heavyprice. Diseases unknownbefore European contactreduced the native popula-tion by perhaps as much as80 percent.

By the early 19th centu-ry, pressures from theSpanish and French gov-ernments made it more dif-ficult to maintain tradi-tional tribal lifestyles.

The declining impor-tance of the Adai as a polit-ical buffer after 1773 hadsuch a marked effect thatfew Adai still lived in a tra-ditional lifestyle by thetime the Americansacquired Louisiana.

They dressed inEuropean styles, spokeFrench and Spanish inaddition to their own lan-guage and many were bap-tized Christians.

When controversybetween Spain and theUnited States over the west-ern boundary of Louisianawas settled and control ofthe Neutral Strip passed tothe American governmentpassed to the Americangovernment, the Adai peo-ple were recognized asestablished citizens of thearea through individualland titles.

Many of these deeds had

been granted by theSpanish government, andwere later upheld by theUnited States. Within theirown community, theymaintained many of thetraditions of their ances-tors, but to the Americans,they posed no threat asIndian people and thuswere not affected when thelast of the tribes weremoved west.

When Europeans firstcame to the area, the prin-cipal Adai village was

located on a small creeknear what is now Robeline.

At this political and cer-emonial center, the Adaipracticed traditionaldances, music, crafts, sto-ries and beliefs that hadbeen handed down throughthe generations.

Chief Rufus Davis, above,leads the Caddo AdaiNation.

Adai Native Americans encountered Europeans near Red RiverAPRIL 2014 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES

Available for free inFebruary through AppleiTunes, the ExploreLouisiana CrossroadsVisitor Guide Application(APP) will allow users totake advantage of theadvanced capabilities of theiPhone, iPad and iPod Touchuser interface.

“The Explore LouisianaCrossroads APP will be aneasy-to-navigate tool for bothpre-trip planning and to getinformation while onsite ata variety of recreationalsites in the area,” saidBrandi Bradford lead parkranger with the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers. “It isintended both for visitors tothe Natchitoches area, aswell as local residents whomay want to explore more ofthe historic, natural, andrecreational treasures thatthe Crossroads offers.”

Features of the ExploreLouisiana Crossroads appli-cation include:

-Quick access and Googlemap locations for all recre-ation sites, historic sites,dining, shopping, lodging,camping, boating, fishingand other activities availableto visitors coming to the La.Crossroads Region.

-Directions, details ofwhat to find at each site,hours of operation, fees andother important info to getvisitors to any site they wantto find.

-Historical and heritageinformation about one of therichest historic areas of thestate.

-Auto and walking tourguides for the historic andnatural resource sites in thearea.

-Quick access toNorthwestern State

University, the City ofNatchitoches along withsafety information, emer-gency contacts and more.

-Quick dial from youriPhone to contact all listingsand links to area Web sites.

-Links within each visi-tors’ guide to other informa-tion and interesting sitesyou may also want to seeduring your trip.

-Safety information for alltypes of recreation activitiesyou may want to try duringyour visit.

-Emergency contacts andother services that you mayhave need of during yourtrip, such as post offices,banks, hospitals and otherservices.

-History and significanceof the Natchitoches region

-Directions, details andGoogle map locations forarea sites

-Auto and walking tourideas

-Safety, service and emer-gency contact information

A consortium ofNatchitoches organizationsjoined together to providecontent for this APP. Projectpartners include:

-Natchitoches AreaConvention and VisitorsBureau

-City of Natchitoches -Association for

Preservation of HistoricNatchitoches

-Melrose Plantation-Cane River Waterway

Commission -Cane River Creole

National Historical Park -Cane River National

Heritage Area -Natchitoches Area

Chamber of Commerce -U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers

The APP is powered byNomad Mobile Guides(TM).

For more informationcontact Bradford at 318-354-8770.

Travel Guide: Louisiana has an app for that

Melrose Plantation willcelebrate the 40th annualArts and Crafts FestivalMay 3 - 4, 2014. The proper-ty is being prepared now for

the arrival of more than 100vendors who will displaytheir talented creations invarious fields of the artsand crafts. Setting their

tents and tables beneath the300 year old live oak trees,vendors will exhibit and sellexamples of their creativetalents. The variety of mer-

chandise is extensive.Artists will show their orig-inal paintings in watercolor and oils. Others willshow their stained glass,gourmet jellies and pickles,jewelry, clothing, photogra-phy, plants, toys, woodwork-ing products, pottery, andthe list goes on.

The Festival is sponsoredby The Association for thePreservation of HistoricNatchitoches (APHN).Melrose Plantation is aNational HistoricLandmark and is owned andoperated by APHN.Funding for the restorationprojects, maintenance andoperation is providedthrough the Festivalreceipts, the Fall Tour ofHomes in the historic dis-

trict of Natchitoches(October 11 - 12), designatedgifts, Plantation tours, etc.All workers who producethe various funding eventsare volunteers and dedicat-ed members of APHNwhose goal is the preserva-tion of Melrose Plantation.

Visitors to the Arts andCrafts Festival may alsopurchase tickets to tour the"Big House" and the AfricanHouse. Many of the muralsand paintings by celebratedfolk artist ClementineHunter are on display.Clementine was a self-taught primitive artist. Shenever completed any formaleducation and did not learnto read or write. Sheexpressed herself, told her

Melrose is one of theunique plantations of theold South, its career mea-sured, not by years, but bygenerations. Its story willendure, for it is recorded notonly in fiction and firesidelegend, but on the indeliblepages of history.

The Association for thePreservation of HistoricNatchitoches has undertak-en the careful restoration ofthe eight structures compos-ing the Melrose complex.

In 1971, in the interest ofmaintaining Melrose as amonument to Louisiana his-tory, Southdown Land Co.,which had acquired theplantation, conveyed the six-acre site and complex ofbuildings to the Association.In 1974, the Cane River plan-tation was declared aNational HistoricLandmark.

The story of romanticMelrose Plantation beginswith the legend of MarieTherese Coincoin, who wasborn in 1742, a slave in thehousehold of LouisJuchereau de St. Denis, thefirst commandant of thepost at Natchitoches.

Marie Therese becamethe matriarch of a family of14 children—four black and10 of Franco-African blood—and the founder of a uniquecolony of people.

Along with several of herchildren, she was sold toThomas Pierre Metoyer, who

later freed her and eventual-ly all her Metoyer children.Between 1794 and 1803, sheand her sons received a num-ber of land grants, the landsforming Melrose Plantationbeing recorded in the nameof her son Louis.

Descendants of theMetoyers live along the rivertoday, a people proud of theirheritage and culture.

It was at Melrose that theMetoyers built the YuccaHouse, the African Houseand other structures. It musthave been a tremendousundertaking for them toclear the land, build roadsand fences and raise indigo,tobacco, cotton and othercrops to achieve a successfulplantation operation.

Yucca (c.1796), the origi-nal main house at Melrose,incorporated local materialsexclusively-heavy, hand-hewn cypress beams,uprights and sleepers, andwalls made of mud from theriver bottoms, mixed withdeer hair and Spanish moss.

The African House(c.1800), a strange lookingconstruction reminiscent ofthe straw-thatched hutsfound in the Congo, wasbuilt as a combination store-house and jail for rebelliousslaves.

The Big House was con-structed on the Melrosegrounds about 1833, aLouisiana-type plantationhome, the lower floor of

brick, the upper story ofwood. Twin hexagonalgarçonnieres and a kitchenwing were added later by theHenry family.

In the economic upheavalof the 1840s, the plantationpassed to white ownership. Itwas bought by Hypolite andHenry Hertzog, who, in turn,lost it in the aftermath of theCivil War. In 1884, the planta-tion was acquired by JosephHenry.

At the turn of the century,Melrose became the home ofJohn Hampton and CammieGarrett Henry, the latterknown affectionately as

“Miss Cammie” to her CaneRiver friends. In the succeed-ing years Miss Cammie’spatronage of the arts andpreservation of local arti-facts made Melrose justlyfamous. Mrs. Henry replant-ed and extended the planta-tion gardens, rescued thecolonial buildings, revivedlocal handicrafts and accu-mulated her famous libraryof Louisiana books andmaterials.

Artists and writers wereinvited by Mrs. Henry to stayas long as they wished, aslong as they were working onsome creative project.

Among the many who visitedand worked at Melrose wereErskine Caldwell, AlexanderWoollcott, Alberta Kinsey,Caroline Dormon, RoseFranken, William Spratling,

Gwen Bristow, RossPhares and Ruth Cross. Onewarmly remembered person-ality who wrote for years atMelrose was Lyle Saxon,whose “Children ofStrangers” portrays theCane River area.

Melrose is one of theattractions on the annualTour of Historic Homes thesecond weekend inNovember.


Unique, romantic story unfolds at Melrose

See Melrose… Page 13

40th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival in early May

With vibrant exhibitshoused in a striking exam-ple of contemporary archi-tecture, the Louisiana StateMuseum’s NorthwestLouisiana History Museumin Natchitoches brings3,000 years of history for-ward to the unique culturaltraditions that survive—and thrive—in the regiontoday.

Encompassing flat, fertileriver valleys and pine-forested uplands, north-west Louisiana has been acultural crossroads sincepre-Columbian times. Fromtheir homelands along theRed River, Caddo Indianstraded with tribes as faraway as Mexico and theGreat Plains and, begin-ning in the 1600s, withSpanish and French explor-ers.

A distinctive Creole cul-ture developed inNatchitoches, founded in1713 as the first permanentEuropean settlement inLouisiana. Free andenslaved Africans left astrong imprint on theregion’s architecture, lan-guage and art. Meanwhile,traditional Southern folk-ways evolved in small com-munities living close to theland and coping with theboom-or-bust cycles of thefarming, timber and petro-leum industries.

“This museum tells thestory of how diverse popu-lations came together tocreate a rich and vitalregional culture,”Louisiana State Museumdirector Mark Tullos said.“It also celebrates the lifestories of artists, writers,entrepreneurs, humanrights leaders and others

who embody the region’sresourceful and resilientspirit.”

The Great Women exhib-it, for example, profilesnovelist Kate Chopin, con-servationist CarrieDorman, arts and litera-ture patron Cammie Henryand painter ClementineHunter, who is also repre-sented by 12 original worksof art.

Visitors will find a fasci-nating array of artifacts,paintings, photographs,maps, books, furniture,household goods, farmimplements, textiles,weapons and other materi-als—many loaned by localcollections. Specific arti-facts include 18th centuryreligious medals, forged-iron equestrian gear fromLos Adaes—a former capi-tal of Texas, Spanish mis-sion and trading post—anda vintage gasoline pump,advertising signs and con-sumer products from thetypical early 20th centuryplantation store. And torepresent northwestLouisiana’s earliest civi-lization, the State Museumcommissioned the notedcontemporary Caddo potterJeraldine Redcorn to createthree hand-coiled, wood-fired clay vessels in thearchaic “Natchitochesengraved” style.

The Northwest LouisianaHistory Museum opensJuly 2, as part of a $23-mil-lion, 27,000-square-footmuseum complex sharedwith the Louisiana SportsHall of Fame. Designed byTrahan Architects of NewOrleans, the buildingevokes the region’s agricul-tural heritage with sinuous

molded stone interiors sug-gesting slow-moving riversand linear earth-coloredexterior cladding inspiredby plowed fields.

The history museum has3,500 square feet of exhibitsarranged in seven majorthemes. Living Traditions,for example, explores pre-sent-day handcrafts, cui-sine, social customs andflourishing subculturessuch as the Cane RiverCreole community of IsleBrevelle.

Eye-popping graphicsand a seven-minute video

by documentary filmmak-ers Michelle Benoit andGlen Pitre enhance the visi-tor experience.

Located at 800 Front St.,the museum is open 10 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdaysthrough Saturdays, and 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.Admission is $5 for adults;$4 for students, seniors andactive-duty military; andfree for children 12 andyounger.

The Natchitoches proper-ty is the newest culturalattraction in the LouisianaState Museum system,

which was founded in 1906with a mission to collect,preserve, interpret and pre-sent the state’s rich historyand cultural and artisticachievements.

The Louisiana StateMuseum system includeshistoric properties in NewOrleans—including theCabildo, Presbytere, OldU.S. Mint, Madame John’sLegacy and 1850 Housemuseum—as well as muse-ums in Baton Rouge,Thibodaux and Patterson.

-LouisianaTravel.com-

New History Museum highlights Creole rural life

A vintage gasoline pump, advertising signs and consumer products from the typical early20th century plantation store and original paintings by folk artist Clementine Hunter illus-trate rural life in northwest Louisiana.


FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES HOTEL TO OPEN IN NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA

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• 74 Rooms• FREE Wi-Fi• Complimentary Hot Breakfast EVERY Morning• Outdoor Swimming Pool• Exercise Room• Valet Laundry Service• Located 5 minutes from downtown• 45 minutes from Alexandria

www.fairfieldinn.com(318)354-8007 • (800)228-2800

150 Hayes Avenue • Natchitoches, LA

story, through paint. Shewas a former field hand atMelrose. Later she becamea house keeper, but it waswhile she was a cook thatshe found some discardedpaints left behind by anartist at Melrose. These dis-carded paints changed herlife and continues to touchthose who view and admireher work each day. Samplesof her work are on displayin the Louvre Museum inParis and in homes andinstitutions across

America.The two day Arts and

Crafts Festival beginsSaturday, May 3 at 9:00 a.m.Gates will open Sunday at10:00 a.m. Tickets are $5.00adults and $2.00 childrenages 6 - 12. Melrose is locat-ed south of Natchitoches at3533 Highway 119.Additional informationabout Melrose Plantationand the Arts and CraftsFestival may be found atwww.melroseplantation.org

Melrose…


A collection of baseballssigned by slugger Mel Ott,Archie Manning’s No. 8New Orleans Saints jerseyand a souped-up FordThunderbird that becamethe fastest car in the worldin 1963 are just a few of theartifacts that make theLouisiana Sports Hall ofFame and Museum inNatchitoches an up-close,personal and unforgettablefan experience.

Housed in a dazzling $23million museum buildingdeveloped and operated bythe Louisiana StateMuseum system in part-nership with the LouisianaSports Writers Associationand the city ofNatchitoches, the

Louisiana Sports Hall ofFame Museum honors theachievements of the state’sgreatest athletes.

Founded in 1959, butlacking a permanent homefor its collection of por-traits and memorabiliauntil now, the Hall hasmore than 300 men andwomen on its roster. Somecarry famous names suchas Vida Blue, EddieDelahoussaye, “PistolPete” Maravich, WillisReed and Joyce Walker, butothers are relativelyunknown today. NewOrleans-born Audrey“Mickey” Patterson, forexample, was the firstAfrican-American womanto win an Olympic medal.

Visitors will see the TeamUSA jersey she wore in a200-meter dash that wonher the bronze medal at the1948 games in London.

“The main goal indesigning exhibits andselecting artifacts was toinspire people, especiallyyoung people, to thinkabout greatness,”Louisiana State Museumdirector Mark Tullos said.“Every object here tells astory. Seen together, theycreate a visitor experiencethat we hope is both uplift-ing as well as entertain-ing.”

Indeed, the museum iscrammed with fun stuff tolook at. Items on displayinclude vintage varsity let-

ter sweaters, antique duckand turkey calls, a blackand gold 1967 Saints cheer-leader’s outfit, a collectionof whistles fromLouisiana’s top highschool sports coaches,hand-carved water skisbelieved to be the first toskim across Cane RiverLake and famed outdoors-man Grits Gresham’s fieldtypewriter on which hetapped out features for thenational magazines SportsAfield and Gentlemen’sQuarterly. The typewriteris among many artifactsdonated by his family forthe Grits and MaryGresham exhibit inSportsman’s Paradise, alarge gallery focused onhunting and fishing.

Two of the most spectac-ular objects on display arethe Louisiana GolfAssociation’s amateurchampionship trophy, athree-foot-high sterling sil-ver replica of theLouisiana State Capitolcommissioned in 1934, andL.W. “Knot” Farrington’sstreamlined and modifiedFord Thunderbird whichhe drove to a world speedrecord of 241.78 mph atBonneville Salt Flats inUtah in 1963. A self-taughtmechanic, Farringtonnamed his dream car“Hel’s Angel” after his wifeHelen. Now 93, Farringtonkept the car in the garageof his Metairie home until2011 when he loaned it tothe Museum for display.

Coverage of profession-al and college teamsports—football, baseballand basketball—is high-lighted with iconic uni-forms, autographed gameballs, photographs andinteractive media captur-ing historic games andmajor players. In GreatMoments, a seven-minutevideo produced by film-makers Michelle Benoitand Glen Pitre, visitors canrelive the glory of BillyCannon’s tackle-breakingpunt return against OleMiss in 1959, WarrenMorris’ game-winninghome run for LSU in the1996 College World Seriesand Kim Mulkey’s NCAA

championship basketballgames as a Louisiana TechLady Techster and later ashead coach for BaylorUniversity.

Touch-screen technolo-gy delivers even moresports greatness in theimpressive Hall of Famegalleries near the mainentrance. Visitors can callup life stories, career sta-tistics and even the mostmemorable quotes of everyHall of Famer past and pre-sent. The newest membersare also recognized withhand-painted portraits,including basketball greatShaquille O’Neal, tennisstar Chanda Rubin andnine other 2013 inductees.

The Hall opens to thepublic July 2 in a 27,000-square-foot buildingshared with the NorthwestLouisiana HistoryMuseum. Designed byTrahan Architects of NewOrleans, the buildingevokes the region’s agri-cultural heritage with sin-uous molded stone interi-ors suggesting slow-mov-ing rivers and linear earth-colored exterior claddinginspired by plowedfields.

Located at 800 Front St.,the museum is open 10 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdaysthrough Saturdays and 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.Admission is $5 for adults;$4 for students, seniors andactive-duty military; andfree for children 12 andyounger.

The Natchitoches prop-erty is the newest culturalattraction in the LouisianaState Museum system,which was founded in 1906with a mission to collect,preserve, interpret andpresent the state’s rich his-tory and cultural and artis-tic achievements.

The Louisiana StateMuseum system includeshistoric properties in NewOrleans—including theCabildo, Presbytere, OldU.S. Mint, Madame John’sLegacy and 1850 HouseMuseum—as well as muse-ums in Baton Rouge,Thibodaux and Patterson.

––––www.LouisianaTravel.com

Designed by Trahan Architects of New Orleans, the new 27,500 square foot museumcomplex evokes the region’s heritage with linear earth-colored exterior claddinginspired by plowed fields sinuous molded stone interiors suggesting slow-movingrivers. Credit: Photo courtesy of Trahan Architects.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame offersunforgettable sports history experience

EXIT 138 of I-49

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The J. Bennett JohnstonWaterway Grand EcoreVisitor Center is open. Thecenter offers extraordi-nary views of Red Riverfrom a bluff high above thewater. The grounds arehost to wildlife, culturaland historical displays ofthe area and waterwayexploration and navigationinformation. A walkingtrail is available for visi-tors to get a first-handglance at Civil Warentrenchments.

The 4,800 square footcenter is situated at thehighest point of the GrandEcore bluffs overlookingRed River. It includes areception area, exhibitionhall, office and work roomalong with restrooms, stor-age and mechanical/elec-trical systems.

Visitors will learn aboutthe waterway and the roleof the Corps of Engineersin the development, preser-vation and enhancement ofwater resources in theregion.

Nine interior exhibitscover the history, presentand future of the water-way. The theme is“Navigation on the RedRiver: A Study In Time.”

Of particular interest isan extensive exhibit ofinformation planned onCivil War activities on theRed River with ties to theCivil War features on thesite. A Union fort was situ-ated on the bluff thatincluded several large gunplacements. Theseemplacements and trenchwork are still visible. Apathway takes visitors to

the emplacements whereinterpretive signs andbenches are located.

The Visitor’s Center isopen from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, through Sundayand is located off La. Hwy.6 at 106 Tauzin IslandRoad, just west of theGrand Ecore Bridge. A 600-

foot access road passesthrough a cypress swampand climbs the hill for aview of the river. For moreinformation, call 354-8770.


Along the banks of pic-turesque Cane River is anational park that preservessignificant pieces ofAmerican history. CaneRiver Creole NationalHistorical Park includesOakland Plantation and theoutbuildings at MagnoliaPlantation. MagnoliaPlantation is privatelyowned.

The park's mission is topreserve the resources andcultural landscapes of theCane River area and toenhance the understandingof its peoples and tradi-tions.

Park rangers at the twosites will help visitorsexplore the French andSpanish colony ofLouisiana, and what thatmeant to the origins of thecotton plantations alongCane River. Visitors willgain a greater understand-ing of Louisiana's planta-tion economy and its laborpractices of slavery andlater tenancy, and get a peekinto the lives of the peoplewho lived on the planta-tions.

Visitors can learn aboutthe families, both ownersand enslaved, who built theplantations, whose descen-dants stayed for many gen-erations and may live in theCane River area today.

Guests can find out why aplantation is more than justa "Big House" and learnabout the historic and con-temporary definitions ofthe word "Creole." Thoseinterested can study thevernacular architecture ofthe park's 45 historic build-ings and get ideas abouthow they adapted toLouisiana's climate.

Oakland Plantation con-ducts tours seven days aweek at 1 p.m. MagnoliaPlantation is open forground tours Saturday andSunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

To reach OaklandPlantation fromNatchitoches, take Hwy. 1south to the village ofNatchez and turn left at theflashing yellow light on toHwy. 119. Follow Hwy. 119and turn right at the stopsign on to Hwy. 494.Continue approximately 4miles to Oakland Plantationon the right-hand side of theroad.

From Interstate 49, takeexit 127, the Flora/Cypressexit. Head east towardsCypress on La. 120. Crossover La. Hwy. 1 and continuefor approximately 4 miles onHwy. 494. OaklandPlantation will be on the left.

For more information,contact Oakland Plantationat (318) 356-8441.

Cane River Creole: A National Park just down the road

Visitors’ center offers grand view of Red River

5335 Hwy. 6 West Natchitoches, LA 71457

Tel: (318) 214-0700 Fax: (318) 214-9721

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The commandant’s quar-ters are foggy with smokethat trails from the fireplace.

Next door, well-wornleather shoes wait next to asoldier’s bed and rumpledbedcovers in another belie astraw mattress beneath. Ifthis place looks as thoughthe garrison has juststepped out, then the staff atFort St. Jean Baptiste havesucceeded.

Named for a Frenchpatron saint, the fort’s origi-

nal location is unknown,though it is believed to havestood where the OldAmerican Cemetery is today.

The fort that visitors tourtoday is a reconstructionbased on historical records.

Though it’s hard for visi-tors to believe, nothinginside its walls is a genuineartifact from the 18th centu-ry--except, perhaps, theslowly weathering mud thatis mixed with moss andgrasses to seal the walls

(what the French called“bousillage”).

But the fort is not meant

to be a museum of 18th cen-tury treasures. The goal ofthis State Historic Site is tointeract with visitors, let-ting them experience theculture of everyday life.

“We are moving towardsliving history,” saysInterpretive Ranger DarrenVermillion. “We keep firesgoing in the houses, bakebread… and basically try tomake the fort look alive.”

Vermillion says that partof their goal is to debunk thestereotypes associated withthe oldest town in theLouisiana Territory.

“Natchitoches was not theback woods in the 1770s,” heexplains. “It was a boomingcommunity.”

The French garrison sta-tioned at Fort St. JeanBaptiste had a double pur-pose: keeping a close eye onthe Spanish at Los Adaes tothe west and being a center

for trade. The later boostedthe economy of the Frenchcolonists and became themain business of the garri-son. Good relations with theNative American tribes alsoencouraged the soldiers toassimilate their clothingstyles and habits.

“The soldiers adapted toLouisiana woods,” saysVermillion. “They adaptedto Native American dressand wore their style cloth-ing, such as leggings.”

Vermillion and the rest ofthe staff authenticate theircostumes further by skin-ning, tanning and makingtheir own deer skin cover-ings.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste isopen daily, except holidays,from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Formore information or tomake group reservations,contact the site at 318-357-3101.

State Historic Site moves toward living history demonstrations

Step back in time at Fort St. Jean Baptiste HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES APRIL 2014

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For 70 Years! Choate’s is your local source for today’s finest furnishings

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Our exquisite gift department features exclusive lines from Arthur Court, Vera Bradley, and Vietri, to name a few.

from makers such as Henredon, Century, and Hickory Chair.

Proudly Serving Natchitoches

S TORE H OURS : M ON - F RI 10:00 - 5:00

S AT 10:00 - 3:30

118 S OUTH D RIVE N ATCHITOCHES , LA 318-352-8128

1-800-535-7130

www.choatesinteriors.com

For 70 Years! Choate’s is your local source for today’s finest furnishings

Choate’s Interiors & Gifts... where we make your house, a home.

Whether it be bridal or baby, our gift registries are second to none.

Let us assist you in selecting that perfect gift.

Our exquisite gift department features exclusive lines from Arthur Court, Vera Bradley, and Vietri, to name a few.

from makers such as Henredon, Century, and Hickory Chair.

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