No,
we don't have alligators in our backyard, or live on a bayou!! We're
not even Cajun! But, we do celebrate Mardi Gras and we love to eat
crawfish! (That's "crayfish" to some of you "northerners!")
Our Community:
No,
we don't have alligators in our backyard, or live on a bayou!! We're
not even Cajun! But, we do celebrate Mardi Gras and we love to eat
crawfish! (That's "crayfish" to some of you "northerners!")
We're from LaSalle parish (that's the same as a county in other states,) in the "Crossroads" area of Louisiana. Like most of Louisiana, we have a strong cultural heritage that we're very proud of!
Well, in Louisiana, there's no telling! But, if you want to see what the experts have to say anyway, check it out:
Jena, Louisiana Weather (Washington Post)
Alexandria, Louisiana (Rain or Shine Weather)
The local newspaper is The Jena Times. [no website]
Today's Alexandria Daily Town Talk
Fox Kid's Club Network (Fox 48)
KLAX - News From Around Louisiana
Louisiana State News (USA Today)
In 1802, settlers first began to settle in the area of the town we now call Jena. The Hemphills family settled about two miles below where the town is now. Soon after, other families began to settle in the area. Benjamin Baker and his father built a water mill in the middle 1850's. The mill was used to make corn meal and gin cotton. This mill helped the area to grow and it soon became a favorite trading stop for farmers. Two general stores and the Hemp's Creek Post Office opened.
In 1871, the post office department made a new rule that "Creek" or "Bayou" could not be part of a post office name. The people had to decide on a new name. Andrew Forsythe from Jena, Illinois was visiting the area and suggested the name "Jena," (pronounced like "Gina") the name of his home town in Illinois, which was named after the town of Jena, Germany. So, Jena's name came from Germany, through Illinois!
The first school house was built in 1869. The Jena Seminary opened in 1892, marking the beginning of secondary education in what is now LaSalle (pronounced "Lah - sahl") parish.
The Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad ran its first train into Jena on December 31, 1893. The first passenger train to arrive in Jena came on May 1, 1904. A small hotel was located nearby. In 1905, the local newspaper, The Jena Times, was founded.
Mrs. Lula V. Coleman is an important lady in Jena's history. She was made Deputy Sheriff on October 2, 1918. She believed she was the first female sheriff in the United States. On March 28, 1920, Governor John M. Parker appointed Mrs. Coleman as the head of the town government. She was the only woman ever to serve as mayor of Jena, and was the first female mayor in the state of Louisiana. As far as anyone has been able to prove, she was the first female mayor in the United States.
Visit the LaSalle Parish Museum or Library to find out more about Mrs. Coleman or our community history.
Local Stuff - Attractions, Festivals, etc.
If you know of something
that needs to be added to,
or updated in this area,
please let me know.
LaSalle Parish Fair - held annually in September, in Jena.
North Central Louisiana District Fair - held annually in October, in Olla.
Howdy Neighbor Day - an annual (October) festival, in the Jena City Park. Features: arts, crafts, food, entertainment, fireworks.
Colonial Trails Christmas - annual celebration & parade in Jena.
Tullos Oilfield Days - annual celebration in Tullos or Olla.
Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge - has two fishing areas (Cowpen Bayou and Duck Lake Impoundment), observation tower & boardwalk overlooking lake, walking & hiking trails, limited hunting, 9 mile driving tour, information on birding, conservation and more!
Catahoula Lake - beautiful lake for hunting and fishing; origin of the Catahoula Leopard (Louisiana State dog)
LaSalle Parish Museum
White Sulphur Springs - legend tells of the mystical "curative" & life-extending powers of the sulphur water from the springs
Indian Bluff - overlooking Catahoula Lake, in Nebo.
Kitterlin Creek Bay - camp sites, boat docks, fishing; Cypress trees abound
Hunting Clubs - LaSalle parish is home to numerous hunting clubs and leases.
Other Local Links:
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service: LaSalle Parish
We are in Central Louisiana, also called the "Crossroads." Here are some interesting links for information on our neighbors in Cenla:
Girl Scout Council of Central Louisiana
Alexandria Warthogs Hockey Team
Pineville on the Net - a really neat site designed by & for the city of Pineville; contains an open forum where members of the city can post questions or comments which are responded to by their mayor and elected officials - excellent idea!
Rapides Area Planning Commission
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department
England Industrial Airpark and Community
Alexandria / Pineville Virtual Community
Dustin's Cub Scout Page
Deana's Brownie Page
Our
Webmistress is Ms. Darla
See
Ms. Darla's Other Websites
©Copyright1998 Darla D. Poole