| Communities | Economy | History / Markers | Local Government |
| Location / Geography | Media | Parks and Recreation | Schools and Libraries |
| Parish Map | Top of page | ||
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Unincorporated areas of interest in the parish include Bayou Pierre, Benson, Catuna, Carmel, Coker, Evelyn, Frierson, Funston, Gloster, Hunter, Holly, Kickapoo, Kingston, Lula, Naborton, New Rockdale, Oxford, Pelican, Trenton and Wemple. Areas of interest include the Mansfield Battlepark and Museum; Land's End Plantation; Myrtle Hill; Confederat Memorial Cemetery; International Marker; St. Anne's Rock Chapel The Toledo Crossroads Arts and Crafts Festival is held one weekend each Spring in Mansfields Courthouse Square. There is also an anual Trail Ride. |
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Desoto Parish Chamber of Commerce 210 South Washington Road Mansfield 318-872-1310 |
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Bayou Grand Cane Bayou Pierre Bayou San Patricio Clear Lake Clear Lake Cow Bayou Toledo Bend Reservoir Smithport Lake Wallace Lake |
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International Boundary Marker Land’s End Plantation Pierre Boitt Lafitte |
History | |
| 1805 |
When the Territory of Orleans is divided into counties the present-day Desoto Parish is part of the Neutral Ground. The first settlers were under French, Spanish and then Texan Republic control until boundaries in the area were finalized |
| 1819 |
A treaty with Spain finally sets the international border at the Sabine River and this area becomes part of Natchitoches County |
| 1830 |
Dr. Logan establishes a ferry service across the Sabine river and practices medicine on both sides. He calls the settlement Waterloo, but it is later called Logan's Ferry and finally Logansport. |
| 1838 April 25 |
An international boundary is negotiated with the Republic of Texas. Because of various delays such as yellow fever, malaria, harsh weather and the deat of President William Henry Harrison it was April 23 1841 before representiatives from Texas and the U. S. finally agreed on an exact boundary line. A ten-foot long Granite marker was planted in Desoto Parish, inscribed Meridian Boundary, Established A. D. 1840. With U. S. on one side and R.T. for Republic of Texas on the other. |
| 1840s |
Greek Revival Plantation house is built at Myrtle Hill by Edward Riggs. |
| 1843 April 1 |
Desoto Parish is created by the legislature from land that is first part of Natchitoches parish, then Natchitoches parish. In June the first police jury meets at Screamerville, settled by English speaking settlers and located about two miles west of present-day Grand Cane. The French settlers who had been in the area much longer wanted the parish seat in Old Augusta, a steamboat landing on Bayou Pierre. In August a courthouse of log construction is built halfway between the two communities. At this site Company K of the Louisiana Infantry was organized and sent off to the Mexican War. |
| 1844 |
The first DeSoto courthouse , built by William Crosby and Jesse Pugh, is a hand-hen log structure. |
| 1847 |
The community of Mansfield is incorporated as the parish seat. |
| 1857 |
Land's End Plantation is built by Colonel Henry Marshall who is a state Senator and will be a Louisiana representative in the Confederate Congress. The first structure was built on the site in 1835. Marshall dies in 1864. |
| 1864 April 8 |
Shreveport, the state capital and headquarters of the Confederacy's Trans-Mississippi Department, as well as Texas, is saved from invasion as Confederate forces under General Richard Taylor defeat General Banks at Mansfield. Banks will retreat to New Orleans, destroying much in his path as the Red River Campaign winds to a halt. |
| 1888 |
A Carmelite Monastery is established eight miles from Mansfield. It burns down in 1895 with the exception of a small chapel. |
| 1884 |
The Texas-Pacific Railroad is built through Desoto Parish. |
| 1896 |
The Kansas City Southern Railroad is built through Desoto Parish. |
| 1911 |
The current courthouse, designed by Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans is built by Corbin Brothers Construction Company in Mansfield. |
| 1914 |
Oil is discovered in the Naborton Field in Desoto Parish. |
| 1943 |
Desoto Parish Airport is constructed as an auxiliary field for Barksdale Air Force Base. |
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Education |
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Director - Wanda A Berry 109 Crosby St. Mansfield, LA 71052 Email - dpll@pelican.state.lib.la.us or wberry@pelican.state.lib.la.us 3 Branches - Logansport, Pelican, Stonewall American Library Directory 1999-2000, R. R. Bowker |
Your questions, comments and contributions to this page are welcomed. |
