H HIST ISTORICORIC NNAATTCHITCHITOCHEOCHESassets.matchbin.com/sites/1127/assets/IF7E_HN_07_2011.pdf · 2011. 6. 30. · most romantic Main Street districts, seeking those places that

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A Fr e e G u i d e t o L e i s u r e a n d A t t r a c t i o n s C o u r t e s y o f T h e N a t c h i t o c h e s T i m e s S i n c e 1 9 7 0

NSU Folk FestivalJuly 15-16

Page 2 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES July 2011

II ns ide . . .ns ide . . .Art Gallery. . . . . . . Page 3

NSU Folk Festival. . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

The Book Merchant. . . . . . . . . .Page 6

Tours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7

Maps, Walking Tours, NSU Tour and

Cane River Tour . . . . . . . . . Pages 8-10

Briarwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12

Cane River Green Market . . . . Page 14

We Have an App for that . . . . .Page 15

Looking BackPage 11

Sibley LakePage 16

Fort St. John BaptistePage 4

Caddo-Adai Indian NationPage 13

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

Produced by Lifestyle Editor Rae Anne FirminTo advertise in this publication

contact The Natchitoches Times P.O. Box 448

Natchitoches, LA 71458

About the cover:The Jena Band of Louisiana Choctawwill present a session on Choctaw danceat the Natchitoches-NSU Folk FestivalJuly 16.

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 trade withthe 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 massivelog jam that was broken upduring a flood in the 1830s.

Thus, the Red Riverchanged its course, leavinga 36-mile-long oxbow lake

called 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 in town.

The Red River’s abandon-ment of Natchitoches isolat-ed the community, preserv-ing its historic buildingsand the deeply-ingrainedtraditions of its residentsalong the Cane River.

Today, residents ofNatchitoches strive to bal-ance progress and industrywith preserving the integri-ty of the city’s colonial his-tory and rich cultural diver-sity.

With its French, Spanish,Native American, Africanand Anglo-Saxon influ-ences, Natchitoches main-tains a colorful palette ofethnic tradition, hospitalityand pride in the past thatresidents share with visi-tors.

The city is consistentlynamed among the top sixretirement locations in theUnited States by Kiplinger’sMagazine.

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July 2011 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES Page 3

An exhibit by guestartist Amie Gonser willdebut July 1 at theNatchitoches Art Gallery.

The gallery will host ameet and greet reception inher honor, Saturday, July 2from noon-3 p.m. Thereception and viewing ofthe exhibitions are free.

Gonser, a native of NewIberia, teaches art inRound Rock, Texas.

She earned a bachelor offine arts degree atUniversity of Louisiana inLafayette and a master's offine arts degree at theUniversity of Florida inTallahassee.

Gonser draws upon herpersonal experiences forinspiration as she works inacrylics and watercolors.In "Song of the CagedBird," she addresses thechallenges of motherhood.She records her memoriesinto her paintings, using

the magnolia tree from hergrandmother's backyardand flowers and insectsfrom her childhood home.Gonser arranges thesecomponents into composi-tions, sometimes using alayering technique to addother dimensions to herwork.

Natchitoches Art Gallery announcessummer artists and events

Lilies in Orange and Gold

Queen of the Teche

Shrill Silence

Natchitoches Art Guild members, Eddye Robertson andJean O'Brien, welcome visitors to peruse through thegallery. Robertson and Charlie Viers are July's featuredartists. Their exhibit is called "Fact and Fiction in 3D."Robertson specializes in polymer clay while Viers makespine needle baskets.

Mayor’s Welcome“On behalf of the City ofNatchitoches, I would liketo take this opportunity towelcome you to our city,established in 1714 as theoldest permanent settle-ment in the LouisianaPurchase.Natchitoches is a wonder-ful place to explore, filledwith friendly people, nat-ural beauty and plenty ofthings to do for the entirefamily. The Natchitochesregion is home to the CaneRiver National HeritageArea, Cane River CreoleNational Historical Parkand a National HistoricLandmark District, one of three in the state ofLouisiana.National achievements include being named as one ofthe United States’ Dozen Distinctive Destinations in2005 by the National Trust for Historic Preservationas well as a Great American Main Street Communityand a Preserve America Presidential Award Winner.I encourage you to take the time to exploreNatchitoches and see for yourself why Oprah Winfreyonce called Natchitoches 'the best little town in theUSA'.We look forward to meeting you, and if we can be offurther service to you, please do not hesitate to con-tact my office at City Hall at (318) 352-2772."

The NatchitochesHistoric District hasbeen named as one of thetop five Most RomanticMain Streets in theUnited States.

The announcementwas made by theNational Trust forHistoric Preservation.The other four MostRomantic Main Streetsinclude Middletown,Conn.; Madison, Ind.;Franklin, Tenn. andPaducah, Ky.

The National Trust forHistoric Preservationsought the country’smost romantic MainStreet districts, seekingthose places that offerunique experiences aswell as atmosphere, his-tory, charming streetsfor strolls, wedding desti-

nations, quaint B&Bs,special historic spotsand much more.

After scouring thecountry, the NationalTrust for HistoricPreservation choseNatchitoches as one ofthe destinations thatmeets this criteria.

“The NatchitochesHistoric District haslong been considered aromantic destination byvisitors,” said CourtneyHornsby of theNatchitoches MainStreet Program.

“With our charmingFront Street, scenic CaneRiver Lake and beautifulhistoric homes and bedand breakfasts, it is theperfect location for aromantic evening orweekend getaway.”

Special emphasis willbe placed this year onpromoting downtownNatchitoches as a pre-miere wedding destina-tion, particularlythrough a new water fea-ture and garden arealocated in VirginiaBaker Park along thedowntown riverbank.The project is expectedto be completed soon.

AAAA MMMM oooo ssss tttt RRRR oooo mmmm aaaa nnnn tttt iiii ccccMMMM aaaa iiii nnnn SSSS tttt rrrr eeee eeee tttt

Mayor Wayne McCullenCity of Natchitoches

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

Next door, well-wornleather shoes wait next to asoldier’s bed and rumpledbedcovers in another beliea straw mattress beneath.If this place looks asthough the garrison hasjust stepped out, then thestaff at Fort St. JeanBaptiste have succeeded.

Named for a Frenchpatron saint, the fort’soriginal location isunknown, though it isbelieved to have stoodwhere the Old AmericanCemetery is today.

The fort that visitorstour today is a reconstruc-tion based on historicalrecords.

Though it’s hard for vis-itors to believe, nothinginside its walls is a gen-uine artifact from the 18thcentury--except, perhaps,

the slowly weathering mudthat is mixed with mossand grasses to seal thewalls (what the Frenchcalled “bousillage”).

But the fort is not meantto be a museum of 18thcentury treasures. Thegoal of this State HistoricSite is to interact with visi-tors, letting them experi-ence the culture of every-day life.

“We are moving towardsliving history,” saysInterpretive RangerDarren Vermillion. “Wekeep fires going in thehouses, bake bread… andbasically try to make thefort look alive.”

Vermillion says thatpart of their goal is todebunk the stereotypesassociated with the oldesttown in the LouisianaTerritory.

“Natchitoches was notthe back woods in the1770s,” he explains. “It was

a booming community.”The French garrison sta-

tioned at Fort St. JeanBaptiste had a double pur-pose: keeping a close eyeon the Spanish at LosAdaes to the west andbeing a center for trade.The later boosted the econ-omy of the Frenchcolonists and became themain business of the garri-son. Good relations withthe Native American tribesalso encouraged the sol-diers to assimilate theirclothing styles and habits.

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

Vermillion and the restof the staff authenticatetheir costumes further byskinning, tanning andmaking their own deerskin coverings.

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

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• 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

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The 32nd Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will beJuly 15-16 in PratherColiseum on the NSU cam-pus.

The festival will beFriday, July 15 from 4:30-10:30 p.m. and Saturday, July16 from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Tickets are $11 for a two-day pass, available inadvance only.

Saturday event passes are$8.

One-time evening passesto all events after 5 p.m. is$5.

The festival theme is "TheTribes Remain:C o n t e m p o r a r ySoutheastern indian cul-tures." Music, food, crafts,narrative sessions anddemonstrations focusing onSoutheastern Indians willbe featured.

The annual LouisianaState fiddle championshipwill be July 16 at 8:30 a.m. inMagale Recital Hall as partof the festival.

There will be a non-cham-pionship class for ages 12and under, 13-18 and 60 andover and a championship

class for those 21 and under,22-59 and age 60 and over.

Featured musiciansinclude Richard Smith andJulie Adams, Tunica-BiloxiSingers, Treater Band, GenoDelafose, Lost BayouRamblers, Max and Marcy,LakeSide Gamblers, KnightTrain, T-Sale', JambalayaCajun Band with D.L.Menard, Willis Prudhommeand Zydeco Express,Hardrick Rivers and theRivers Revue Band, CocoaCreppel, the Back PorchBand and ReasonableFacsimile.

Dancers from theChoctaw, Koasati,Chickasaw, Caddo and JenaBand of Choctaws will alsoperform.

Children's drumminglessons will be available aswell as flute and drum ses-sions.

Narrative sessions willdiscuss SoutheasternIndian languages, wood-working, basketry, pottery,traditional medicine, food-ways, games, storytellingand songs and dances.

The film, "People of

Many Waters," based in theChitimacha country ofLower Bayou Teche will beshown.

Three dozen craftspeoplewere invited to display theirtraditional work onSaturday. Pottery, beadwork,baskets, toys, necklaces andsilver jewelry, gourds, musi-cal instruments, walkingsticks, bows, wooden puz-zles, file', wood carvings,crafts and more will beshowcased.

Support for the festival isprovided by grants from theDepartment of Culture,Recreation and Tourism:Division of the Arts-Shreveport Regional ArtsCouncil, the NatchitochesArea Convention & VisitorsBureau, the NatchitochesHistoric DistrictDevelopment Commission,Paragon Casino Resort,Cane River NationalHeritage Area and theNational Endowment forthe Arts.

For more informationcall 357-4332 or go towww.louisianafolklife.nsula.edu.

Groovin at the Folk Festival


The Association For The Preservation of

Historic Natchitoches Invites You To Visit… Our National Historic Landmarks

Melrose Plantation Complex (Nine Buildings)

Open Tuesday - Sunday 12 pm - 4 pm Groups by Appointment

318-379-0055 16 Miles South Of Natchitoches

In Cane River Country

The recently renovatedBook Merchant hosts reg-ular book signing events.Located in the downtownHistoric District, it's theperfect spot to kick backwith a great read or chatwith your favorite author.Owner J. Michael Kennyassists Marc Longlois.Customer service isKenny's top priority.

Connie Anne Keppinger, owner of Cockfield & Company, sells seasonal plants andyard art, unique to the area, at The Book Merchant. Her selection of gardening itemsand home décor is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Book

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King and Queen Rooms • HBO • PoolFree Continental Breakfast

For reservations call352-6655 or 1-800-528-1234

Mississippi Delta authorwill sign books July 2

Mississippi native Tom Lawrence will sign copiesof his book of short stories, "Delta Days: Tales of theMississippi Delta," Saturday, July 2 from 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. at The Book Merchant.

The coming of age chronicle is set in a time andplace that no longer exists.

The stories cover the World War II period to thestart of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Theyfollow the societal changes that transformed theMississippi Delta from an agrarian economy basedon sharecropping and hand labor to a modern modelfor large scale agribusiness operations, totally mech-anized.

These changes are seen through the eyes of a boygrowing up as his world is transformed into a newand strange place. The reader is privy to the maledominated cycle of Delta living including quail andduck hunting, football and the planting and harvest-ing of each year's cotton crop. The Delta women arebeautiful and bold and everyone will take a drink ortwo.

Born in 1939, Lawrence's earliest memories are ofthe war years, living with his maternal grandparentsin Ruleville, Miss. In 1950 his family moved toCleveland, Miss. where he played high school foot-ball, joined the Mississippi National Guard as a 14-year old and finally left to attend Mississippi StateUniversity.


Formerly the residence for10 Northwestern presidents,the Old President’s Cottagewas renovated for theAlumni Center in 1984.

Built in 1927of FrenchNormandyarchitecture,the buildinghas been des-ignated anationallandmark.

The histor-ical signifi-cance ofCane RiverCountry isundisputed.Because ofthis heritage,the federal

government chose Natchitoches as the sitefor the National Center for PreservationTechnology and Training. The OldWomen’s Gymnasium, Nelson Hall, has beenrestored for the permanent headquarters ofthe center.

The old 1884 schoolbuilding that served con-vent students is one of thehistoric structures dedicat-ed as a national landmark.The old campus quadranglewhere the original columnsstood was entered into theNational Register ofHistoric Places in 1980under the title Normal Hill HistoricDistrict.

The archives of Watson Libraryand the Williamson Museum inKyser Hall exhibit historical hold-ings from the local and regional cul-ture. Contributions from citizensand historians represent archaeolog-

ical resourcesof Indian andantebelluminfluences.

NSUDemons playSouthlandConference footballat TurpinStadium.

Prather Coliseumhouses theLouisiana SportsHall of Fame withmemorabilia fromthe state’s most

Northwestern State University has beenan important part of the Natchitoches com-munity since it wasestablished in 1884.Three columns of the

Bullard Mansionthat originally stood onthe grounds, serve asthe unofficial symbol ofthe university.

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

The A.A. Fredericks Fine ArtsCenter regularly features perfor-mances by theNatchitoches/Northwestern Symphony

Orchestra and theatredepartment.

The Hanchey Galleryoften exhibits the best worksof its faculty and students.

Northwestern State University Tour

Chaplin Lakefurther enhancesthe historic cam-pus that servesmore than 9,000students.

MELROSE PLANTATION, 1796, isa National Historic Landmark. Thecomplex includes the Big House,African and Yucca houses, weavingcabin and original home of primitivefolk artist Clementine Hunter. The

plantation is rich in history. and culture that began with MarieTherese Coincoin, an owner who was a freed woman of color.The cultural highlights of the site were furthered during theHenry years as Miss Cammie provided living quarters for writ-ers. Clementine Hunter, renowned folk artist, painted herewhile employed as a domestic servant. Her murals adorn thewalls of the African House and her work is displayed in agallery within the Big House. Melrose serves as the annuallocation for the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival in June. Toursare available daily.

OAKLAWNPLANTATION,

1830, is the restoredhome of “SteelMagnolias” authorRobert Harling. Thisbousillage, three- storystructure displaysCreole architecture common to Cane RiverCountry. The 680-foot oak avenue is the thirdlongest in the state.

CHEROKEE PLANTATION,1839, is listed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places andwas the site of the famous Bossier-Gaiennie duel, that was fought onthe savannah at the rear ofCherokee. This restored raised cot-tage is an important Creole struc-ture and is often featured duringthe annual NatchitochesPilgrimage in December.

BEAU FORTPLANTATION, 1790,

was built on the formersite of Fort Charles. It is

an early Creole-style home and features an 84-footgallery and covered rear patio. Many special occasionsare conducted at Beau Fort.

OAKLAND PLANTATION,1821, now part of the Cane RiverCreole National Historic Parkcontains the finest examples ofCreole architecture. The firstcotton in the state was planted onthis plantation.

THE BADIN-ROQUE HOUSE is one offive structures of its type remaining in theUnited States and the only one of its kind inLouisiana. Badin-Roque is listed on theNational Register for historic places and hasbeen nominated for National Landmark sta-tus. It is owned and maintained by the St.Augustine Historical Society.

THE ST. AUGUSTINECATHOLIC CHURCH is locat-

ed at Isle Brevelle and was foundedand built by Augustine Metoyerand his brother Louis Metoyer in1803. St. Augustine Church is thefirst church in America establishedand maintained by free people ofcolor. In 1829, when it was blessedas a mission, it was given the nameSt. Augustine in honor of St.

Augustine. It was blessed as a church parish in 1856, and atthat time, had four missions attached to it: St. Anns on OldRiver, St. Joseph at Bayou Derbonne, St. Anns, Spanish Lakeand St. Charles, Bermuda. The church was used as a filmsite for Steel Magnolias.

MAGNOLIA PLANTATION, 1830s,is one of only two National BicentennialFarms west of the Mississippi. Exceptfor the Big House, the complex is nowpart of the Cane River Creole National

Historic Park. The original walls and foundation were reused afterbeing burned by General Banks in 1864. The two and one-half storystructure has 27 rooms, including a Catholic chapel. The only cottonpress still in its original location is here along with the only row ofbrick slave quarters still standing in Louisiana. The plantation isclosed to the public.

AAuuttoo TToouurr OOff CCaannee RRiivveerrAuto Tour

of theCane River



The AmericanCemetery repre-sents the manycultures andcountries thatinfluenced theoldest settlementin the LouisianaPurchase. The site is the original loca-tion of Fort St. Jean Baptiste.

Cane Country cavalier Louis 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 contribute to civic and preservation interests in

Natchitoches have restored land-marks for use as headquarters.The Prudhomme-RouquierHouse was

renovated by the ServiceLeague of Natchitoches.

Front Street of Natchitoches boasts historic sites thatearned the oldest settlement in the Louisiana PurchaseNational Historic Landmark designation. Santa, and theChristmas Belles as helpers,greet guests during the holi-day season at the SantaClaus House on the river-bank. The Roque House, alsoalong the riverbank, was relo-cated to its present location.An example of Creole archi-tecture, the Roque House isconstructed of bousillage, amixture of Spanish moss,deer hair and mud. Bells toll

antebellum his-tories surround-ing the two land-mark churchesof ImmaculateConceptionCatholicChurch, left,and TrinityEpiscopalChurch, below.

The Natchitoches Parish OldParish Courthouse is now

closed as amuseum. Itis on 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 forthe Natchitoches Historic Foundation and is open daily providingtourism information. The Lemee House is one of several proper-ties maintained by the Association for the Preservation ofHistoric Natchitoches.


Sally Field por-trayed M’LynnEatenton, thewarm-heartedbut iron-willedmother of ayoung bride.

Natchitoches residents were extras, includ-ing Norm Fletcher and Lori Tate. Fletcherand Tate played the bridegroom’s parents.

RobertHarling,author of“SteelMagnolias,”played theminister thatmarriedShelby andJacksonLatcherie.

DrumEatenton (TomSkerritt) shootsat the birdsprior to the wed-ding receptionfor his daughter,Shelby (JuliaRoberts).

Truvy’s Beauty Shop was trans-formed into a Christmas wonder-land as the city celebrated its annu-al ChristmasFestival. DollyParton’s quickwit andSoutherncharm shinein her role asTruvy Jones.

Robert Harling,author of “SteelMagnolias,”received a staron the St. DenisWalk of Honor.Each of the starsin the featurefilm received astar. Conferringthe award wasrenowned sports-man 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.It is now a bed and breakfast inn.

‘‘SStteeeell MMaaggnnoolliiaass’’ TToouurr

“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, “SteelMagnolias” was directed by HerbertRoss. Victoria White was the execu-tive producer and Andrew Stone wasthe associate producer.

1. St. Septemberine Catholic Church, La. Hwy. 493at Melrose, 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 boarding

house.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 to

Ducournau Square, Truvy’s No. 2.11. Riverfront behind Roque House, 800 block of

Washington Street, Easter egg hunt.12. Private home, 515 St. Maurice Lane, Annelle and

Sammy’s home.13. Private home, 453 Henry Blvd., Truvy’s house.14. Brookshire’s, Dixie Plaza Shopping Center, 318 Dixie

Plaza on 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’s

home.17. Odalie Lambre-Gwinn House, 1972 Williams Ave.,

Shelby and Jackson’s house.

By Rae Anne FirminArchivist Mary Linn

Wernet classifies knowledgeof the past as a basic humanneed. She gives the exampleof adopted children whooften desire to learn abouttheir biological families.Wernet remembers her sis-ter’s foster child being curi-ous about his background.“When we found out that hewas from Miami, Fla., we hada celebration for him. Wehad cake and hung MiamiDolphin flags everywhere.”

Wernet’s fascination withthe history began at an earlyage and evolved into a pas-sion for research and learn-ing. “If you want to learneveryday, this is the place towork,” she says of the NSUCammie G. Henry ResearchCenter, located on the thirdfloor of Watson Library.

During her years asarchivist, she has visitedwith countless Frenchmentracing their roots back toNatchitoches, as well asGermans with ties to theKisatchie region. She isalways amazed whenEuropeans traveling theUnited States sayNatchitoches is the best stopthey’ve made. Commentslike these prevent her fromtaking the city for granted.

“The tables have turned,”she says, “We were the onesdriving to Dallas or FortWorth for vacation. Now,those people viewNatchitoches as a getawayspot.”

She credits this shift to therevitalization of downtownas well as preservation orga-nizations that attract touristswith something for everyone,whether it’s researching fam-ily history at the genealogylibrary or taking a strollthrough APHN’s Tour ofHomes.

The research center ishome to hundreds of photosrevealing the development ofdowntown and landmarkevents that helped shape thelife locals enjoy today.

Chapters could be writtenon the transformation of theChurch Street Bridge alone.

Imaging specialist andwebmaster Sonny Carterspeculates that the bridgewas not essential until trans-portation had progressed sig-nificantly. After all, theriver’s main function was forimports and exports.

Carter, born and raised inNatchitoches, recalls thetales his father told of takingthe ferry to school eachmorning since it was muchquicker than going all of the

way around the river.Another interesting aspect

of downtown history is thecondos on the corner ofChurch and Front Streets.For some, the building holdschildhood memories ofsneaking into it as an aban-doned theatre.

But, before the theatre, itwas a hotel, bearing thenames The Lecomte, TheLecompte and The Wimp.Carter says when they addedthat second story, localscalled it “Natchitoches’ veryown skyscraper.”

Wernet says one thing thathasn’t changed about down-town is its’ charm. “You cansee Dallas from far away andwhen you enter the city, itswallows you up. Our down-town is not overpowering.It’s always been inviting fromevery angle.”

LLLLooooooookkkkiiiinnnngggg BBBBaaaacccckkkk:::: A journey through the past with NSU archivist


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

Join us for the 2011 Join us for the 2011 Cane River Green Market Cane River Green Market Saturdays April 30 th - July 30 th Saturdays April 30 th - July 30 th

8 a.m. to Noon 8 a.m. to Noon Natchitoches’ Downtown Riverbank Natchitoches’ Downtown Riverbank

The Cane River Green Market is funded, in part, The Cane River Green Market is funded, in part, by The Rapides Foundation. by The Rapides Foundation.

Fruits & Vegetables, Plants, Herbs, Eggs, Breads, Jams & Jellies, Fruits & Vegetables, Plants, Herbs, Eggs, Breads, Jams & Jellies, Handmade Crafts, Live Music, Children’s Activities and Much More! Handmade Crafts, Live Music, Children’s Activities and Much More!

Breazeale Fire Insurance Office

Briarwood is not a man-made, well landscaped gar-den as such, but is in everysense a wild garden. Itsappeal is to botanists, horti-culturists and all of thoserare individuals interestedin studying and preservingnative plants indigenous tothe South.

Briarwood, home ofCaroline Dormon, waswilled in 1971 to theFoundation for thePreservation of the CarolineDormon Nature PreserveInc. It is maintained bydonations (tax-exempt) fromher many friends.

Briarwood consists of 120acres of almost-virgin forest,with magnificent trees tow-ering 100 feet tall. There aremore than 100 species oftrees and shrubs. Most ofthese are native to the tract,but others have beenbrought in from other partsof the South. For more than50 years Dormon collectedthe rare and unusual specieswhich are now growingthere.

Briarwood is available fortours led by guides that areexperienced, who knew MissDormon and who, throughher encouragement, havecome to know and appreciateevery foot of this forest andits native plants.

It is open to the publicevery weekend in March,April, May, August andNovember. On SaturdaysBriarwood is open from 9a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundaysfrom noon -5 p.m.. Specialtours are by appointmentonly for groups of five ormore.

Fees are $5 per person,regardless of age, per visit.Annual memberships areavailable for $10, lifetimememberships for $100, annu-al family memberships for$25. Members are admittedwithout a fee.

An Interpretive Center,opened by the Board of theFoundation for thePreservation of the CarolineDormon Nature Preserve, isnow open. The center will beused primarily to educatefuture generations of land-scape conservationists andwas made possible by a grantof the Coypu Foundation ofBaton Rouge.

A few of the rare andinteresting plants found atBriarwood include thePinckneya pubens,veryshowy, with bracts of a love-ly pink shade, native toFlorida, but thrive inBriarwood’s sphagnumbogs; Stinking Cedar —(Torreya taxifolia);Magnolias— complete col-lection of all native toSoutheastern U.S.; Hollies —a fine collection of natives;Wild Crabapples — a com-plete and unusual collection;Stewartia malocondendron— a large shrub with flat lat-eral branches, and three-inch white flowers with vio-let anthers. One specimen;Mountain laurels — lovelyevergreen with masses ofpink and white flowers;Native azaleas- a completecollection— white, pink, sev-eral shades of yellow andred. Rarest is a prunifolia,with red flowers in August;Star anise (IlliciumFloridanum) — a beautifulevergreen, thrives atBriarwood; Leucothose—several species; Hawthorns— a fine collection; Wildplums; Ferns — an amazingcollection, in some placesgrowing in masses.

Features of interestinclude trails windingthrough native floweringshrubs and ferns. Ponds areone of Briarwood’s mainattractions, particularly asthey mirror the ancient longleaf pine, mountain laurels,the red-berried smilax and

the rare and showyPinckneya during May andJune.

The Orchid Garden islocated amid a mass of aza-leas by the little clear brookthat flows from the pond.The Bay Garden is probablythe foremost attraction atBriarwood. It was restoredto commemorate CarolineDormon’s pioneer efforts inhybridizing Louisiana iris-es. It is stocked with some ofthe finest and loveliest speci-mens donated by friends.This is a special project ofthe Louisiana Iris Society.

The Log House is a rusticand picturesque homedesigned by Miss Dormonand built from logs cut fromher own forest. It has origi-nal furnishings and reflectsher personality throughout.

A wildlife sanctuary isvisited by literally thou-sands of birds daily seekingand finding a bountiful sup-ply of food-bearing plants

and trees growing nowhereelse in the state. Other forestcreatures—squirrels, rac-coons, deer, an occasionalfox, etc — are also visitors inthis protected area.

Teacher, naturalist, con-servationist, horticulturist,artist, writer — a woman ofmany interests and achieve-ments, Dormon was the firstpioneer in conservation edu-cation in Louisiana. Shealmost single handedly pro-

moted the establishment ofKistachie’s National Forestin Louisiana. She conceivedit, conferred with the U.S.Forest Service officials andstate officials, prompted thewriting and introduction ofan “Enabling Act,” whichmade it legal for the FederalForest Service to purchaseland in the state, recom-mended the area, and namedthe forest.


B r i a r w o o d : Not your average backyard garden

Briarwood, home of Caroline Dormon, was willed in 1971 to the Foundation for thePreservation of the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve Inc.

1000 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA

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• FREE In Room Coffee Maker & Hair Dryer • FREE In Room Microwave & Refrigerator • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Close to Downtown Historic District

Across from NSU

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


Step back in time...at the Adai Indian Cultural Center

Have an exciting and fas-cinating historical educa-tional experience whenyou visit the Adai IndianNation Cultural Centeronly 15 minutes fromNatchitoches, open from 9am.-5 p.m.

Visit the 8,000 squarefoot, all-weather air-condi-tioned and heated culturalcenter located on the beau-tiful grounds in the AdaiIndian Nation Community.

Travel north onInterstate 49, Exit 148, turnleft, drive 4 1/2 miles onblacktop La. Hwy. 485 whileenjoying the beautifulscenery of the countryside.

Feel the spirit of theAmerican Indian throughsong and dance, ancientartifacts and a large collec-tion of arts and crafts.

Stroll the grounds visit-ing the historical Indiandwellings furnished asthey were in the 1800s and

early 1900s that were occu-pied by Adais Indian lead-ers and families.

Enjoy area birds andsquirrels eating from feed-ers placed around the cul-tural center.

Experience “thunder ofthe land,” the spirit of thebuffalo herd grazing on thegrounds of the culturalcenter. There were thou-sands of buffalo herdsroaming freely across theNorth American continentat the time of the firstEuropean occupation of

The Americas.Food Court serves visi-

tors traditional All-American hamburgers,French fires, chicken sand-wiches, nachos, hot dogs,candy, soft drinks andmore.

5335 Hwy. 6 West Natchitoches, LA 71457

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

• 25” Remote Control Expanded Cable TV with HBO, CNN, ESPN • Suites Include Microwave, Refrigerator and Coffee Maker • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Shoney’s and McDonald’s Nearby • Free Highspeed Wireless Internet Service • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Non-Smoking Rooms • 24 Hour Front Desk • Queen Size Beds • Free Local Calls • Meeting Room • 70 Rooms

Visitors’ center offers grand view of Red RiverThe J. Bennett Johnston

Waterway Grand EcoreVisitor Center is open. Thecenter offers extraordinaryviews of Red River from abluff high above the water.The grounds are host towildlife, cultural and histor-ical displays of the area andwaterway exploration andnavigation information. Awalking trail is available forvisitors to get a first-handglance at Civil Warentrenchments.

The 4,800 square foot cen-ter is situated at the highestpoint of the Grand Ecorebluffs overlooking RedRiver. It includes a recep-tion area, exhibition hall,office and work room alongwith restrooms, storage andmechanical/electrical sys-tems.

Visitors will learn aboutthe waterway and the role ofthe Corps of Engineers inthe development, preserva-tion and enhancement ofwater resources in theregion.

Nine interior exhibitscover the history, presentand future of the waterway.The theme is “Navigationon the Red River: A Study InTime.”

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. These emplace-ments and trench work arestill visible. A pathwaytakes visitors to theemplacements where inter-pretive signs and benchesare located.

The Visitor’s Center islocated off La. Hwy. 6 at 106Tauzin Island Road, justwest of the Grand EcoreBridge. A 600-foot accessroad passes through acypress swamp and climbsthe hill for a view of theriver. For more informa-tion, call 354-8770.


Local producer Daniel Graves released aDVD tour of Natchitoches, available at theBook Merchant, Cane Brake Café, Georgia’sGifts and Kaffie-Frederick Hardware.

Graves explains why he chose to focus onthe oldest settlement in the LouisianaPurchase.

“I’ve studied the area’s history for over 20years and still come across stories that areamazing. Basically everything about thetown, from the colonial days to the present, isa very unique and unusual story of Americanhistory.”

A veteran documentary maker, his produc-tions have depicted Louisiana history duringprehistoric times, the Civil War, the eras ofthe Long brothers, 20th century plantationlife and numerous short works on individualincidents. He calls the new DVD a “meet-and-

greet” production.“There’s history. You can’t talk about

Natchitoches without getting into its history,but there’s also some beautiful aerial footageand interviews covering questions visitorsand potential future residents ask mostoften.”

Produced in cooperation with City ofNatchitoches, the program begins with a wel-come by Mayor Wayne McCullen and showsthe city from both sides of Cane River.

It includes interviews with tourism direc-tor Iris Harper and Main Street managerLeslie Smith. Also featured is an interviewwith Dr. Randall Webb about NSU, an expla-nation of the National Historic LandmarkDistrict by chairwoman Sharon Gahagen anda look at why the area is enticing to retireesby businessman Ed Dranguet.

Local producer releases DVD tour of Natchitoches

Natchitoches, a DVD Tour can be purchased at the BookMerchant, Cane Brake Café, Georgia’s Gifts and Kaffie-Frederick Hardware.

Banks on Cane RiverBy Tom Murchison

Natchitoches and the CaneRiver country played aprominent role in the WarBetween the States.

Geographically remotefrom the actions East of theAtchafalaya, Natchitocheshad escaped from Unionoccupation, but all of thatchanged in February of 1864when Lincoln orderedGeneral Nathaniel B. Banksto move up the Red Riverwith the object of taking thethen Confederate capitol,Shreveport, and carrying theinvasion into East Texas.

As a bonus, Banks had hiseye on the tens of thousandsof bales of cotton stored onthe rich agricultural landsalong the Red and CaneRivers.

Banks was a political com-mander with little militaryexperience and he bit offmore than he could cheweven though he outnumberedhis Rebel opponents and wassupported by a strong flotillaof gunboats under the com-mand of the capable DavidPorter. Banks marchedtoward Natchitoches fromAlexandria and after numer-ous skirmishes occupied ourtown on March 30. Porterreached Grand Ecore April 3.

Confederate GeneralRichard “Dick” Taylor, out-numbered and under ordersto retreat, withdrew west-ward to Mansfield and Banksfollowed. Taylor, son ofPresident Zachary Taylor,was a Louisiana planter withno formal military training.

However, he was extreme-ly intelligent and a born war-rior. On April 8, at SabineCrossroads near Mansfield,he defied the orders of hissuperiors at Shreveport andled a small army ofLouisiana and Texas troopsand delivered a bold, smash-ing attack against Banks andcompletely routed them. Thenext day, Taylor, with helpfrom fresh Missouri andArkansas troops fought theUnion army to a standstill atPleasant Hill.

Banks retreated again,back through Grand Ecoreand Natchitoches and downCane River with Taylor’sRebels snapping at his heels.

Banks’ men tried to burnNatchitoches down on theretreat but failed. However,they succeeded in burningjust about everything elsealong Cane River, includingplantation homes, barns andeven slave cabins. It has beensaid that the sky was lightedby burning buildings fromGrand Ecore to Cloutierville.

But the Yankees didn’tcome back and NorthwestLouisiana remained freeuntil the final surrender.

The Red River adventurewas a total military disasterfor the Federals and a greatembarrassment for theUnion.

It is significant that thiswas the last campaign won bythe South. Natchitoches wasliberated by Taylor’s troopsand thus the city was underUnion control less than amonth.

Our role in the Civil War

The Cane River GreenMarket (CRGM) will con-tinue every Saturdaymorning through July 30from 8 a.m.-noon on thedowntown riverbank.

Customers can choosefrom a variety of freshfruits and vegetables suchas sweet corn, tomatoes,okra, cucumbers, pota-toes (new and red), zuc-chini, egg plant, onions,peppers (bell, banana,jalapeno), beans (allkinds), cantaloupe, water-melon and blueberries.

Customers will browse

a selection of value-addedproducts including farmfresh eggs, baked goods,jams, jellies, pickles,honey, fresh flowers,organic produce andmuch more.

Hand-crafted items arealso available includingjewelry, woodwork,stained glass and otheritems.

The market also fea-tures regular live musicalperformances, children'sactivities, speakers anddemonstrations.

To learn more about

these programs or how tobecome a vendor call themarket office at 352-2746.A calendar of events andvendor applications canbe found at www.caner-ivergreenmarket.com.

Cane River Green Market continues

Monte and Marsha Brown entertained at the Green Market. Joining them, fromleft, are Joshua Lacaze, Lindsey Egans, Lydia Lacaze, Christian Johnson, Nicholas,Madison and Olivia Egans and Riley Garrison.

According to availablerecords, the history ofImmaculate ConceptionChurch began in 1717, orperhaps 1716, when theFranciscan, Fr. AntonioMargil de Jesus, walkedthe 21 miles from theSpanish Mission at LosAdaes to say Mass at theFrench military post inNatchitoches. Serviceswere also held in the homeof Louis Juchereau de St.Denis, commandant of thepost, and his wife, DonaManuela.

The present church wasbuilt in 1857; however, itwas not entirely completeduntil 1892 when BishopDurier added the dome onthe tower, constructed thepresent sanctuary and sac-

risties, added the altar andtile floor. The church wasrestored and redecoratedin 1955-56 when the frontvestibule and entrancewere added.

On the south corner ofthe church is a plaque com-memorating the first pub-lic religious service held inNatchitoches. The date isgiven as 1716; however,records now available give1717 as the date.

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

All fittings and furnish-ings, except the pews, wereimported from France: themain altar, the hand-paint-ed Stations of the Cross,the Statue of Blessed

Virgin Mary over the mainaltar, the chandeliers andthe ladder located in thechoir.

The spiral staircaseleading to the choir isunique in that it has nocenter support. The wood-en Baptismal Font, beneaththe staircase, was hand-carved in France.

Bishop AugustinMartin, the first bishop ofthe Natchitoches Dioceseand his Vicar GeneralPierre F.Dicharry, areburied in the church nearthe side altars.

Across the street are theRectory and the OldSeminary built in 1855 tohouse and educate semi-narians.

The Bishop Martin

Museum 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 by

Bishop Martin. At one timea similar but larger edificewas directly across fromthe residence on the cornerof Second and Trudeaustreets, with a wide brickwalk between the two. Thislatter one is no longerstanding.

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

5362 Hwy. 6 West Natchitoches, LA 1-800-228-5150 (318) 352-7500

59 Deluxe Rooms • Pool • King Rooms with 27” remote color TV • Queen Rooms with 2 queen beds • HBO, ESPN • In-room movies available FREE deluxe continental breakfast

Nobody knowsNatchitoches better!

Visit our website:www.collinsandstamey.com

Collins & StameyR E A L E S T A T E304 College Ave. • 357-1262

Available for free inJanuary through AppleiTunes, the ExploreLouisiana Crossroads VisitorGuide Application (APP) willallow users to take advantageof the advanced capabilitiesof the iPhone, iPad and iPodTouch user interface.

“The Explore LouisianaCrossroads APP will be aneasy-to-navigate tool for bothpre-trip planning and to getinformation while onsite at avariety of recreational sitesin the area,” said BrandiBradford lead park rangerwith the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers. “It is intendedboth for visitors to theNatchitoches area, as well aslocal residents who may wantto explore more of the his-toric, natural, and recreation-al treasures that theCrossroads offers.”

Features of the ExploreLouisiana Crossroads appli-cation include:

-Quick access and Googlemap locations for all recre-ation sites, historic sites, din-

ing, shopping, lodging, camp-ing, boating, fishing andother activities available tovisitors coming to the La.Crossroads Region.

-Directions, details of whatto find at each site, hours ofoperation, fees and otherimportant info to get visitorsto any site they want to 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 StateUniversity, the City of

Natchitoches 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 sites youmay also want to see duringyour trip.

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

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

-History and significanceof the Natchitoches region

-Directions, details andGoogle map locations for areasites

-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 by

Nomad Mobile Guides(TM).For more information, con-

tact Bradford at 318-354-8770.

We have an app for that

The Explore LouisianaCrossroads icon, above,will appear on iPhonesafter the app is down-loaded.

The Explore LouisianaCrossroads Visitor GuideApplication is free andavailable soon throughApple iTunes. It allowsquick and easy pre-tripplanning for places ofinterest within the state,including Natchitoches.


The Natchitoches meatpie is a regional dishwhose ingredients includeground beef, ground pork,onions, peppers, garlic, oil,and a pie shell.

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

A number of restau-rants in the historic dis-trict in Natchitoches servemeat pies, and frozen piesare available from grocersin northern Louisiana.

It has a savory meat fill-ing in a crescent-shaped,flaky wheat pastryturnover. It is similar to aSpanish picadillo beefempanada. Varieties arethroughout the colonies ofthe Spanish Empire.

This meat pie is not gen-erally available from otherethnic regions ofLouisiana “The

Picayune’s Creole CookBook” published 1901 byThe Times Picayune ofNew Orleans containsnothing comparable toNatchitoches meat pies inits list of over a thousandrecipes.

Recently, Natchitochesmeat pies sold at foodbooths have become popu-lar at the New Orleans Jazz& Heritage Festival.

The recipe has evolvedover the last 300 years.Ground pork or porksausage is now blendedinto the ground beef foradditional flavor.

Onions, bell pepper andwhen used garlic and pars-ley provide aromatics.Ground black pepper andcayenne pepper are addedto get attention withoutbeing uncomfortable.

Flour is added tobrowned meat and veg-

etable mixture to dry,thicken and loosely bindthe filling.

The meat filling can beused in other foods (e.g.tacos, tamales, enchiladas,stuffed bell pepper et al.)but the turnover crust is adefining element.

Traditional size isapproximately 4 ounce (byweight) on 5”- 6” diameterpastry dough.

The filling should bemade the day before toallow flavors of the ingre-dients to meld.

Filling, dough and toolsshould be chilled beforeassembly. Warm filling willcause the dough to disinte-grate.

In the first part of the20th century, meat pieswere sold from homekitchens or from carts bystreet vendors.

By 1967, Natchitoches

meat pies were produced incommercial kitchens. Now,they may be orderedonline. This progressionhas allowed more people toexperience the memorablemeat pies and their famecontinues to grow.

Louisiana PublicBroadcasting aired a pro-gram January 20, 2007describing how to makeNatchitoches meat pies.

It is available on DVDentitled “A Taste of

Louisiana with Chef JohnFolse & Company: OurFood Heritage - TheSpanish Shows”.

The annual Meat PieFestival, held inSeptember, celebrates theNatchitoches meat pie.

It includes pie makingdemonstrations, a meat piecookoff, live music andmore. The festival drawsvisitors from around theglobe to sample the tastypies.

About Natchitoches Meat Pies


Sibley Lake: fishing, swimming, skiing and boating Sibley Lake is a munici-

pal water supply and recre-ation area owned by theCity of Natchitoches andWater Works DistrictNumber One. Sibley Lakewas originally known asLake Terre Noie in 1875.Later, Lake Terre Noir wasdrained and remained aswampy, wooded area untilit was developed into awater source in the earlysixties.

Sibley Lake presentlysupports an excellent popu-lation of white crappie,channel catfish and largemouth bass. Recent creelstudies indicate eighty per-cent of the fishermen ofthe lake are fishing for

crappie. During themonths of February andMarch, large numbers of 1-2 pound crappie concen-trate in the shoreline areasof this 2,175 acre impound-ment.

Crappie are usuallycaught on live shiners andjig lures. After the springspawning period, the fishare usually caught in brushand tree tops placed in thelake by crappie fishermen.During the summer andfall, crappie are found sus-pended in the deeper partsof the lake.

Channel catfish arecaught during the spring inthe shallows on trotlines,yo-yo’s, and rod and reel,

using cut bait and worms.Largemouth are caught dur-ing the spring on artificialbaits on the numerouspoints and shallow flatsthroughout the lake.

The principal diet of bassin Sibley Lake are thenumerous small shad andsunfish associated with theshallow waters in the springand deeper water during thesummer, fall and wintermonths. Catches of hybridstriperbass are often report-ed during the spring andsummer when the fish areforging on shad and sunfish.Sibley Lake supports a mod-erate amount of bluegilland redear sunfish. Thesesunfish species are usually

harvested during April andMay spawning activity.

A two dollar ($2.00) recre-ational use license isrequired for personsbetween the ages of 16 and60. No persons shall fish,hunt, swim, boat, water ski,

camp, picnic, or otherwisetrespass below the 116 footcontour on Sibley Lakeunless he has purchasedsuch a license. The recre-ational use license is validfrom July 1 to June 30 eachyear.

Sibley Lake is a great place for outdoor recreation.

Farm Fresh Pecans, Gift Tins, Pecan Candies and So Much More!

439 Little Eva Road, Cloutierville, LA 71416

www.natchitochespecans.com

Call for Free Brochure (318) 379-0272

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atchitoches L ITTLE E VA P LANTATION ,

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Documents

H HIST ISTORICORIC NNAATTCHITCHITOCHEOCHESassets.matchbin.com/sites/1127/assets/IF7E_HN_07_2011.pdf · 2011. 6. 30. · most romantic Main Street districts, seeking those places that