| Communities | Economy | History / Markers | Local Government |
| Location / Geography | Media | Parks and Recreation | Schools and Libraries |
| Parish Map | Top of page | ||
> |
|
Unincorporated areas of interest in the parish include Bickham, Clifton, Fussell, Green, Hurd, Isabel, Jenkins, Jerry, Lees Creek, Mt. Herman, Pine, Plainview, Price, Richardson, Rio, Sheridan, Stoney Point, Springhill, State Line, Sunnyhill, Thomas, Warnerton and Zona. |
|
L. G. Lee Memorial Forest L.S.U. |
Bogue Lusa Creek Pearl River Pearl River Navigational Canal Tchefuncte River |
First School in Washington Parish Half Moon Bluff Church Hand-Planted Forest Largest Sawmill Site Old Choctaw Trail Union Avenue Baptist Church Washington Parish Courthouse |
History | |
| 1805 |
When the Territory of Orleans is divided into counties the present-day Washington Parish is part of Spanish West Florida |
| 1855 |
The Union Avenue Baptist Church of Bogalusa, Washington Parish is organized by 11 charter members in a log cabin at Pool’s Bluff. It was the first organized church, and itós building housed the first school in Bogalusa. Several log buildings also used as schools were occupied until 1874, when the first lumber church was built. |
|
There are two public school systems in Washington Parish. The Bogalusa Public School System includes seven elementary, one junior high and one senior high school. The Washington Parish School System includes public schools in Franklinton, the parish seat, and the rest of the parish. Franklinton High School, a new complex costing $4.6 million, was occupied for the first time in the fall of 1986. There are two private schools and one parochial school in the parish to provide an alternative for students not attending public schools. Bowling Green which, is located in Franklinton, consists of grades K-12 and is governed by an elected board of directors. The board employs teachers and a principal to administer a program costing one-half million dollars annually. All funds are raised through efforts conducted by parents and students of the school. Benós Ford Christian School is located near Bogalusa and includes grades K-12. Annunciation Catholic School in Bogalusa includes grades K-8. All public and private schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary schools and the Louisiana Independent School Association. ACT average scores are 17 and 19, respectively, for the public and private schools. This compares most favorably with the regional and national averages of 17 and 17.7. Currently the percentages of graduating seniors attending college are 30% for the public schools and 71% for the private school. Daily school attendance percentages last year were 90% and 96%, respectively. Annual cost in public funds to provide schooling is $2,167 per student, with a pupil-to teacher ratio of 21:1. TEACHERS ENROLLMENT Public School 424 7,751 Private School 42 766 Vocational/Technical 29 1452 |
|
|
Vocational training is available at the Sullivan Technical Institute, a state-funded facility in Bogalusa, and in the vocational program of the Franklinton schools. Vocational training includes various trades, electronics, computers, nursing, accounting and clerical jobs. To assure that new and expanding businesses have a continuing pool of workers with the level of education and expertise necessary for their operations, the area’s colleges and universities, vocational/technical schools and high schools graduate trained and entry-level persons year round. Schools at all levels are augmenting their general education missions with programs explicitly connected with employment possibilities for their students. This is seen in secondary schools in career education curricula and programs such as adopt-a-school through which business contributes resources, curriculum guidance and, in some cases, instruction, counseling and the promise of jobs for graduates. Community colleges are increasing their industry-specific training and colleges and universities are developing partnerships with industry that involve human as well as technological development. |
|
Education |
Within an hour and a half drive of Bogalusa and Franklinton are eleven major colleges or universities. Five of these offer doctoral degrees in the arts, sciences, engineering, medical and legal fields. These universities are nationally and internationally recognized as sponsoring extensive research activities. Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) 50 miles Louisiana State University (LSU) 95 miles Tulane University 69 miles Southern University 95 miles Southern Univ. @ New Orleans (SUNO) 69 miles University of New Orleans (UNO) 69 miles LSU Medical Center 69 miles Tulane University Medical Center 69 miles Loyola University 69 miles Xavier University 69 miles Dillard University 69 miles Many students from the area attend Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi, both located within easy driving distance across the state line. |
Director - Juanita Barker 825 Free St. Franklinton, LA 70438 Email - washlibrary@yahoo.com 8 Branches - Angie, Bogalusa, Enon, Franklinton, Mount Hermon, Pine, Thomas, Varnado Washington Parish enjoys an excellent state-supported public library system maintained by the Washington Parish Public Library System. The library headquarters is located in Franklinton, with a full-time librarian, two full-time and five part-time assistants. Volumes in the library total in excess of 100,000, with approximately 200 new additions per month. The facilities offer reading and reference materials for all ages. A spacious branch office containing over 40,000 volumes is located in Bogalusa. Other branches are located in Angie, Enon, Mt Hermon, Thomas and Varnado. American Library Directory 1999-2000, R. R. Bowker |
