Richland Parish was created from surrounding parishes by an Act of the Louisiana State Legislature and Governor H.C. Warmoth signed this into law on September 29, 1868. Here is the legislation and… Read More
The Birth of Richland Parish – September 29, 1868
The Infamous Burning Gas Crater in Alto, ca., 1928
Just before nightfall he began to gather his corn cobs, now reeking with the smell of crude gasoline, his sharpened stick, and matches, he carefully made his way to the field near the well site. His parents inside the house did not see him. He laid down between the rows and waited-waiting for the well attendant to leave for the night. All the time he was waiting the mosquitos were nearly eating him alive. This brought to mind why he was here in the first place. He thought about the comforts of home. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the attendant departed for his home which was in Mangham, not far away.
Richland Police Jury, 1885
These Rayville citizens are shown in front of a public building around 1885. Back Row, from left are Mr. Choat [NOTE: William Franklin Choat], Ward Munholland, Willie Mann, Will Traylor, John Summerlin,… Read More
Richland Resident Insults Oak Ridge Native in 1881
Richland Resident Insults Oak Ridge Native I recently came across this while looking at old clips of the Ouachita Telegraph from 1881 and thought I’d post a copy of it. Below the… Read More
Double Taxation!
Before Richland Parish existed, the surrounding parishes made up the area we know today as Richland. The areas known today as Start, Crew Lake, Wynn Island, and parts of Girard, were formerly… Read More
Rhymes High School, ca 1931-1969 (Then and Now)
Rhymes High School was established for the rural white community in 1931, and in 1949, the school was given to rural blacks. The students who attended Rhymes came from various plantations or rural farms in Rayville, Mangham, and Start.
1853 Survey in NW Richland Parish; Wynn Island, Webb Hill
Land Plat for Northwest Richland Parish in 1853 (Wynn Island, Webb Hill)
Deadly Fire in Rayville, June 06, 1888
The Daily Picayune, (New Orleans, LA) Wednesday, June 06, 1888 Rayville La, A fire which destroyed considerable property and how the hotel was saved. June 3, Special–This morning about sunrise the usually… Read More
Bloody & Fatal Rencontre!
Bloody & Fatal Rencontre! Ouachita Telegraph, June 18, 1870 I found this article while looking through some old digitized copies of the Ouachita Telegraph. The Wynn family were some of the very… Read More
How the Town of Archibald Got Its Name
How the Town of Archibald Got Its Name Thomas Theodore Archibald migrated to Richland Parish Louisiana from Alabama prior to the Civil War. In about 1871 he was joined here by two… Read More
Delhi Depot – early 1900s
This postcard shows the train depot in Delhi. The Depot building looks very similar today with the exception of the water tank for the locomotives. This was shot from across Hwy 17 looking to the West down present-day Depot Street.
History of Rhymes Memorial Library
Antique Day brings old-fashioned fun to parish By Darryl Riser and written by Lilwin Norman Created 03/23/2011 The Lambda Kappa Club of Rayville is 100 years old this year and is joining in… Read More
Richland Supporters of Prohibition in 1918
In 1918, the country was divided on the issue of Prohibition. Deep in the bible belt of Northeast Louisiana, there was no shortage of support for eliminating alcohol. Here is a list… Read More
The Crew Lake Project of the Farm Securities Administration
This report on the project was written By Orea Bennett and Max Hill -for Richland Journal, Rayville, LA – April 16, 1982. The “New Deal” arrived in Louisiana in the spring of 1933… Read More
1821 – Indians, Trappers, and Some Cotton
If one were to wonder what Richland Parish was like when its roots began to take shape, a good place to start might be 1821. Only forty-five years after the signing of… Read More
October 1927 – Start High School Under Water
In 1927, the Mississippi River unleashed holy hell on the Louisiana Delta in Northeast Louisiana. In the northwestern corner of Richland Parish, the community of Start didn’t dodge the bullet. Here is… Read More
Why does Richland Parish matter?
My name is Luke Letlow, and I was born in Richland Parish, Louisiana. On paper, Richland Parish doesn’t stand out amongst its 63 parish brethren. In fact, Richland Parish is sometime considered… Read More
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