From the 4-H files… back in 1960 Now here’s a guy I know pretty well. Don’t think I knew dad raised a cow and some turkeys when he was 15 though! –… Read More
Johnny Letlow: Bronze Turkeys New Interest, ca., 1960
“Richland Parish” – A WPA Era Written History (ca., 1935)
The following works were written in conjunction with the WPA (Works Progress Administration of Louisiana), ca., 1935. These documents have been recently digitized as part of the Louisiana Digital Library, and are… Read More
Dempsey Pickett Jackson, (1796-1874) – A Natchez and Tensas Planter
The following post is not about someone with Richland Parish roots, but he did make an impact in Tensas Parish. I found his story interewsting, so decided to make a post on… Read More
The Big Creek-Boeuf River Country Before 1843 (By Bennie McLain Hixon, ca.,1959)
It’s difficult to find a better source than the works of Bennie McLain Hixon (1923-2014), when it comes to research on Richland Parish and particularly, the first settlements along Boeuf River. Thanks… Read More
Remembering C.M. Noble, Sr., of Charlieville (1851-1924)
Successful Planter, Mercantile Businessman, and Esteemed Citizen of Richland Parish Mr. Noble was born in Ouachita parish in 1851, and removed to Richland Parish in 1875, where he has resided ever since…. Read More
Remembering Carl W. Earle, of Clear Lake (1891-1966)
50+ Year Member of Richland Parish Police Jury. C.W. Earle (1891-1966) Louisiana’s Police Jury Association elected Earle as “Mr. Police Juror” and was named “Mr. Local Government” by the National Association of County Officials.
Remembering Charles P. Balfour, of Girard (1849-1921)
Planter, Police Juror, State Representative, and President of the Tensas Basin Levee District “The Balfours of Boeuf” Written by Stella Balfour Jack, Deceased. Excerpted from Richland Memories, Volume 1. page 13-14 Charles… Read More
Cochran Tractor & Implement, ca 1953
Evelyn and Horace Cochran opened the doors of Cochran Tractor and Implement Company on Highway 80 West in Rayville in Aug. 1953 and was one of Rayville’s leading business for genera- tions… Read More
Pickin’ and Ginnin’ in Richland Parish and A Short History on the Subject
Back in August of 1991, many Richland Parish residents will remember the excitement and buzz about the first annual “Pickin’ and Ginnin’ Festival.” The festival always drew large crowds, but after a while, the work involved to pull off a successful festival became too great, and the festival eventually ended. Jennie Joe Siscoe, who often wrote several great historical columns for the Beacon, penned this history about growing cotton in Richland Parish.
Arender’s Bring In First Bale Of Cotton Ginned, back in 1967.
The Richland Parish Beacon reported the first bale of cotton had been ginned for 1967 on August 6th of that year. (Bonus points: The #1 song on the radio that week was… Read More
How Sacksonia, Louisiana Got It’s Name; An Immigrant Story Of Bountiful Success and Tragic Loss
What began as basic research into the name of a little known community in Richland Parish, Louisiana, led to the discovery of a man whose life story demonstrated great success; but ended shockingly different than I might ever have imagined. It is a story of much more than a place name, and one that I hope will now be around for a long time.
Prominent Ouachita Businessman Uriah Millsaps Dies at Crew Lake plantation home in 1935
Uriah Millsaps Sun, Mar 3, 1935 – Page 1 · Monroe Morning World (Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana) · Newspapers.com
German POW’s utilized for farm-labor and flood protection work during WWII.
The following are several news clips relating to the use of German prisoner’s of war that indicates their almost certain presence on Richland Parish farms during World War II. Senator Overton, of… Read More
Jacklyn Sims Wins Grand Champion at LSU Livestock Show, ca 1961
Jacklyn Sims Sat, Mar 18, 1961 – 1 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
William Douglas Humble – Biographical Sketch
The following was written in A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 226, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925. William Douglas Humble, of… Read More
The Liddell Families in Richland
General Liddell did send this cousin up to Richland Parish to manage the 2000+ acres of timber that had been seized by the Freedmen’s Bureau, post Civil War. J.A. Liddell went on to become the first Sheriff of Richland Parish.
Local Book Review: Kate Stone’s Brokenburn, with Mentions of Delhi and Crew Lake
If you are interested in Civil War or local history in Northeast Louisiana, a really good book I recently read is one that was originally written during that time, called Brokenburn –… Read More
Winter’s Work – Local Richland Parish Editor Pens ‘Farm Advice’ for Richland Residents During the Christmas Holidays, ca. 1876
There is always plenty of winter work: we never saw a farm so complete that no improvement could be made on it, and there is not one in Richland, that even approaches such perfection, and winter is the time to improve and beautify the farm. Make your farm look like a home; make it attractive to your children, and they will not want to wander off to seek happiness elsewhere; cultivate in them a taste for the beautiful, and they will not be apt to stray from the path of virtue and morality, bat will be not only a help but a comfort and source of happiness to you in your old age.’
How Richland Parish’s GIRARD Got It’s Name
Girard (Richland) – Girard is on the west bank of the Boeuf River, where it is crossed by Highway 80 and the Illinois Central Railroad. Girard has the distinction of being the… Read More
The Wynn Island Plantation, The First 150 Years
I recently came across an old printed copy of this story, and decided to transcribe it for interested readers. Many of the people mentioned as living are now deceased. The article was… Read More
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