Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Catahoula Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state
of Louisiana
. Its seat is Harrisonburg
, located on the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern boundary of the parish. In 2000, the population of the parish was 10,920.
groups in the thousands of years before European settlements began. Peoples of the Marksville culture
, Troyville culture
, Coles Creek culture
and Plaquemine culture
built villages and mound sites throughout the area. Notable examples include Peck Mounds
, and the Troyville Earthworks
. The Troyville Earthworks have components dating from 100 BCE to 700 CE during the Baytown
to the Troyville-Coles Creek periods. It once had the tallest mound in Louisiana at 82 feet (25 m) in height and the second-tallest mound in North America (after Monk's Mound
at Cahokia Mounds), but it was destroyed to make way for the Jonesville bridge over the Black River.
breed of dog named after it. Also, Col. James "Jim" Bowie of Alamo
fame and brother Rezin Bowie
, both of Alabama, owned the Catahoula breed. During the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting. Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long had an interest in the breed and collected them.
At the start of the American Civil War
, James G. Taliaferro, a delegate to the state secession
ist convention from Catahoula Parish, argued strongly against leaving the American Union
. Taliaferro "denied the constitutional right [of a state] to leave the Union and painted a gloomy picture of economic chaos, blighted prosperity, staggering taxation and 'fatal prostration of Louisiana's interests under a southern Confederation,' and he could see no way ahead to prevent final anarchy and war. So 'radical' were the ideas of Taliaferro that the convention refused to print his protest in the pages of [its journal]."
Although the parish trends Democratic
, in the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama
of Illinois
received only 1,659 votes (31.8 percent) compared to 3,486 (66.7 percent) for the Republican
nominee, John S. McCain of Arizona
. The 2008 totals mirrored those of 2004, when Catahoula Parish cast 3,219 (65.0 percent) for President George W. Bush
and 1,673 ballots (34.8 percent) for his Democratic rival, Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
. Local officials are almost entirely Democratic in affiliation, and Republicans rarely contest such elections.
of 2000, there were 10,920 people, 4,082 households, and 2,992 families residing in the parish. The population density
was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 5,351 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 71.78% White
, 27.12% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.13% Asian
, 0.19% from other races
, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,082 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples
living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the parish the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $22,528, and the median income for a family was $27,206. Males had a median income of $26,181 versus $18,427 for females. The per capita income
for the parish was $12,608. About 22.60% of families and 28.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Its seat is Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, Louisiana
Harrisonburg is a village in and the parish seat of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 746 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, located on the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern boundary of the parish. In 2000, the population of the parish was 10,920.
Prehistory
Coatahoula Parish was the home to many succeeding Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
groups in the thousands of years before European settlements began. Peoples of the Marksville culture
Marksville culture
The Marksville culture was an archaeological culture in the lower Lower Mississippi valley, Yazoo valley, and Tensas valley areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas and extended eastward along the Gulf Coast to the Mobile Bay area, from 100 BCE to 400 CE. This culture takes its name...
, Troyville culture
Troyville culture
The Troyville culture is an archaeological culture in areas of Louisiana and Arkansas in the Lower Mississippi valley in the southern United States. It was a Baytown Period culture and lasted from 400 to 700 CE during the Late Woodland period...
, Coles Creek culture
Coles Creek culture
Coles Creek culture is a Late Woodland archaeological culture in the Lower Mississippi valley in the southern United States. It followed the Troyville culture. The period marks a significant change in the cultural history of the area...
and Plaquemine culture
Plaquemine culture
The Plaquemine culture was an archaeological culture in the lower Mississippi River Valley in western Mississippi and eastern Louisiana. Good examples of this culture are the Medora Site in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and the Anna, Emerald Mound, Winterville and Holly Bluff sites located...
built villages and mound sites throughout the area. Notable examples include Peck Mounds
Peck Mounds
Peck Mounds is an archaeological site of the Late Troyville-Early Coles Creek culture in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.-Description:...
, and the Troyville Earthworks
Troyville Earthworks
Troyville Earthworks is a Woodland period Native American archaeological site with components dating from 100 BCE to 700 CE during the Baytown to the Troyville-Coles Creek periods. It once had the tallest mound in Louisiana at in height. It is located in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana in the town of...
. The Troyville Earthworks have components dating from 100 BCE to 700 CE during the Baytown
Baytown culture
The Baytown culture was a Pre-Columbian Native American culture that existed from 300 to 700 CE in the lower Mississippi River Valley, consisting of sites in eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, Louisiana, and western Mississippi. The Baytown Site on the White River in Monroe County, Arkansas is...
to the Troyville-Coles Creek periods. It once had the tallest mound in Louisiana at 82 feet (25 m) in height and the second-tallest mound in North America (after Monk's Mound
Monk's Mound
Monks Mound is the largest Pre-Columbian earthwork in America north of Mesoamerica. Located at the Cahokia Mounds UNESCO World Heritage Site near Collinsville, Illinois, its size was calculated in 1988 as about 100 feet high, 955 feet long including the access ramp at the southern end, and 775...
at Cahokia Mounds), but it was destroyed to make way for the Jonesville bridge over the Black River.
Historic era
Catahoula Parish lays claim to having the Catahoula LeopardCatahoula Leopard Dog
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog or Catahoula cur is an American dog breed. It is named after Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. The Catahoula is believed to have occupied North America the next longest after the dogs descended from Native American-created breeds...
breed of dog named after it. Also, Col. James "Jim" Bowie of Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
fame and brother Rezin Bowie
Rezin Bowie
Rezin Pleasant Bowie was an American inventor and designer of the Bowie knife. He also served three terms in the Louisiana Legislature....
, both of Alabama, owned the Catahoula breed. During the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting. Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long had an interest in the breed and collected them.
At the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, James G. Taliaferro, a delegate to the state secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
ist convention from Catahoula Parish, argued strongly against leaving the American Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. Taliaferro "denied the constitutional right [of a state] to leave the Union and painted a gloomy picture of economic chaos, blighted prosperity, staggering taxation and 'fatal prostration of Louisiana's interests under a southern Confederation,' and he could see no way ahead to prevent final anarchy and war. So 'radical' were the ideas of Taliaferro that the convention refused to print his protest in the pages of [its journal]."
Although the parish trends Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, in the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
received only 1,659 votes (31.8 percent) compared to 3,486 (66.7 percent) for the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nominee, John S. McCain of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. The 2008 totals mirrored those of 2004, when Catahoula Parish cast 3,219 (65.0 percent) for President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and 1,673 ballots (34.8 percent) for his Democratic rival, Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Local officials are almost entirely Democratic in affiliation, and Republicans rarely contest such elections.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 739 square miles (1,914 km²), of which 704 square miles (1,823.4 km²) is land and 35 square miles (90.6 km²) (4.84%) is water. It is bordered by the Ouachita River on the east.Major highways
U.S. Highway 84
Louisiana Highway 8Louisiana Highway 8Louisiana Highway 8 is a state highway in Louisiana. It spans beginning at the Louisiana/Texas state line and ending at an intersection with LA 15.-Route description:...
Louisiana Highway 15Louisiana Highway 15Louisiana Highway 15 is a state highway in Louisiana. It spans north/south for .-Route description:LA 15 begins as an exit from U.S. Route 167 just south of Lillie and heads due east towards Spearsville. From Spearsville, LA 15 turns to the southeast and shortly merges with LA 2 and LA 33 in...
Adjacent parishes
- Franklin ParishFranklin Parish, Louisiana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,263 people, 7,754 households, and 5,706 families residing in the parish. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 8,623 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
(north) - Tensas ParishTensas Parish, LouisianaTensas Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The seat of the parish is St. Joseph. In 2010, the population of Tensas Parish was 5,252; it is the least-populous of all sixty-four parishes....
(northeast) - Concordia ParishConcordia Parish, LouisianaConcordia Parish borders the Mississippi River in eastern Louisiana. The parish seat is Vidalia. As of 2000, the population was 20,247. It is part of the Natchez, MS–LA Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Prehistory:...
(east) - Avoyelles ParishAvoyelles Parish, LouisianaAvoyelles is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville. In 2000, its population was 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.-History:...
(south) - La Salle ParishLa Salle Parish, LouisianaLa Salle Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of 2000, the population was 14,282. The parish seat is Jena.-Geography:The parish has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
(west) - Caldwell ParishCaldwell Parish, Louisiana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,560 people, 3,941 households, and 2,817 families residing in the parish. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 5,035 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,920 people, 4,082 households, and 2,992 families residing in the parish. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 5,351 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 71.78% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 27.12% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 4,082 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the parish the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $22,528, and the median income for a family was $27,206. Males had a median income of $26,181 versus $18,427 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the parish was $12,608. About 22.60% of families and 28.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- HarrisonburgHarrisonburg, LouisianaHarrisonburg is a village in and the parish seat of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 746 at the 2000 census.- History :...
- JonesvilleJonesville, LouisianaJonesville is a town in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, at the confluence of the Ouachita, Tensas, and Little rivers. The three rivers become the Black River at Jonesville though the "Black" is primarily the continuation of the Ouachita River. A new bridge has been built over the Black River...
- Sicily IslandSicily Island, LouisianaSicily Island is a village in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 453 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sicily Island is located at ....
Notable natives and residents
- J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert, politician
- St. John Richardson LiddellSt. John Richardson LiddellSt. John Richardson Liddell was a prominent Louisiana planter who served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was an outspoken proponent of Southern emancipation of slaves...
, ConfederateConfederate States of AmericaThe Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
general in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, owned large plantation in Catahoula Parish - David I. PattenDavid I. PattenDavid Ivy Patten was a building contractor and a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Catahoula Parish in the northeastern portion of his state. He served from 1964-1972....
, politician - Joe Raymond PeaceJoe Raymond PeaceJoseph Raymond Peace, Jr. is the former Louisiana Tech University head football coach of eight seasons from 1988-1995. He ushered the Tech football program into NCAA Division I-A football in 1989.Peace is an alumnus of Louisiana Tech...
, football coach - William S. Peck, Jr.William S. Peck, Jr.William Smith Peck, Jr. , was a businessmanfrom Sicily Island in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, who served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1956–1964, during the administrations of Governors Earl Kemp Long and Jimmie Davis. His father, William S...
, politician - William S. Peck, Sr.William S. Peck, Sr.William Smith Peck, Sr. was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Sicily Island in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, having served from 1920-1928....
, politician - Dan RicheyDan RicheyDaniel Wesley "Dan" Richey is a Baton Rouge-based political consultant for "pro-family" candidates and organizations, including Louisiana Family Forum. From 1997 to 2004, Richey served under appointment of Republican Governor Murphy J...
, politician - Chris ShiversChris ShiversChris Shivers is a top-rated bull rider on the Professional Bull Riders' Built Ford Tough Series with career PBR earnings of $3,842,739.33 . Shivers has earned the title of PBR World Champion Bull Rider in 2000 and 2003. He turned pro in 1997.Shivers has nineteen career BFTS wins...
, two-time (2000, 2003) PBR World Champion bull rider - Sean Patrick FlanerySean Patrick FlanerySean Patrick Flanery is an American actor known for such roles as Connor MacManus in The Boondock Saints, Greg Stillson in The Dead Zone and for portraying Indiana Jones in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as well as Bobby Dagen in Saw 3D.He is currently known for his role as Sam Gibson on The...
, actor (The Boondock SaintsThe Boondock SaintsThe Boondock Saints is a 1999 American action comedy film written and directed by Troy Duffy. The film stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as Irish fraternal twins, Connor and Murphy MacManus, who become vigilantes after killing two members of the Russian Mafia in self-defense...
), born in Lake Charles in 1965.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
- USS Catahoula Parish (LST-528)USS Catahoula Parish (LST-528)USS Catahoula Parish was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....
External links
- Heinrich, P. V., 2008, Woodville 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.