History | Louisiana Tourism | Maps | Natural Disasters | Vernon Parish

History

African-American Heritage
Local folklore shows that present day Vernon Parish was a part of the early underground railroads.

A Retrospective on Alexandria and Louisiana
The history of Alexandria, Louisiana, as well as many other areas of the state, are revisited through old postcards, photographs, and stories.

Books Relating to the Area
See a list of books that are connected to the Vernon Parish area.

Gateway to the Pineys: A Glimpse of Leesville, Louisiana Between 1905 and 1908 By W. T. Block -- A fascinating glimpse into the past with many quotes taken directly from the pages of the Beaumont Enterprise, circa 1905 - 1908.

Great Depression Images
See pictures from the Great Depression on this University of Illinois site.

Great Louisiana Maneuvers
Fort Polk was first established as Camp Polk, in 1941, as a base during the Great Louisiana Maneuvers. As World War II loomed on the horizon, military leaders needed to test the new technologies available to them and find ways to use them more effectively.

Historic Leesville, LA by Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches
See Leesville's historic downtown through the eyes of a tourist.

Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation works to save Louisiana's landmarks before they are lost to us forever.

Newspaper Clippings and Historical Documents
See scans of old newspaper clippings and historical documents relating to Vernon Parish and its people.

Vernon Historical & Genealogical Society
The Vernon Historical & Genealogical Society serves the Central Louisiana and East Texas areas by providing a meeting place for people interested in preserving their heritage.

Vernon Parish Library Photos
View Vernon Parish photos dating from the 1800's to the present.

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Louisiana Tourism

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Site in central and south Louisiana has lots of things to see and do.

Twelve pro-caliber golf courses from around the state are highlighted on the Audubon Golf website.

BikeLouisiana.com has information on fun places to bike around the state, with courses designed for riders of varying abilities, from novice to advanced.

The cities/parishes that comprise Louisiana North offer exciting activities like great cultural attractions, superb festivals, tantalizing local restaurants, and one-of-a-kinds hopping adventures. Visit Explore Louisiana North to find activities that suit you and your family.

Seven unique regions of Louisiana define the Louisiana Culinary Trails . Brought to us by the Louisiana Office of Tourism and Tabasco, this website features recipes and dining venues from across the state.

Find tasty recipes and articles related to Louisiana cooking at Louisiana Kitchen and Culture.com

Visit the Louisiana State Museum website for information on State Museums; the Secretary of State website has information on Louisiana Secretary of State Museums.

LouisianaPaddle.com has information on paddling and kayaking opportunities on Louisiana's rivers, bayous, and swamps.

The Louisiana State Parks website has information about Louisiana's state parks and historic sites.

Louisiana Travel lists travel information for the entire state, from festivals to plantations, from the Audubon Golf Trail to culinary delights around the state.

Tour Louisiana offers information from all five of the regions that make up the state. They have info on accommodations, dining, events, and free travel brochures.

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Maps

The US GenWeb Archives contains many old maps of Louisiana, some parishes, and some townships.

View the Vernon Parish Travel Map for visitor's information. See the locations of accommodations, restaurants, shopping, outdoor activities, and more.

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Natural Disasters

Historic Hurricanes
TheCajuns.com has a comprehensive list of all recorded hurricanes that have touched land in Louisiana.

National Hurricane Center
Preparing for a hurricane should begin long before hurricane season starts. The National Hurricane Center has a wealth of information that will assist you in planning what you and your family will do when the next "big one" hits.

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Vernon Parish Links

Fort Polk Heritage Collection Project
More than 300 families were displaced between 1940 and 1945 when the U.S. War Department took possession of their lands to develop Camp Polk and Peason Ridge Training Area. The Fort Polk Heritage Collection Project was created to preserve the rich cultural heritage of these families.

Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center
Fort Polk site offering information for soldiers, their families, and the community.

Hornbeck, Town of
Incorporated in 1902, the small town of Hornbeck once served as the major junction between Shreveport, LA and Port Arthur, TX. It is located in the northwest section of the parish.

Leesville, City of
The City of Leesville website contains information relating to city government, including contact information on city officials, Public Works and other departments, recreational facilities, etc.

Leesville Main Street
Before World War II Main Streets all over the country were the center of every community's commercial life and an important part of its social life. In the past 40 years, however, America's downtowns have changed drastically. To combat this downward spiral, more than 1,600 communities have adopted the Main Street approach, focusing on saving its historic buildings and preserving its commercial core. Visit the Leesville Main Street website for more information on how you can be a part of the solution.

Pitkin, City of
The circuit rider, Joseph Willis is believed to have traveled through the Ward Five area as early as 1795 to carry the gospel to the families who lived in the area. Several mills were built during the mid-nineteenth century and villages soon sprang up around them.

Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has information about businesses in the area.

Vernon Parish Police Jury
Louisiana is the only state that is divided into parishes, rather than counties. After the Louisiana Purchase, the land which eventually became the state of Louisiana was divided into 12 counties which loosely followed the same boundaries that had been established by the Roman Catholic church during early French and Spanish colonization. Common usage of the old names prevailed however, and in 1807, the territorial legislature divided the state into 19 parishes. Today, 41 of Louisiana's 64 parishes are governed by a council called the Police Jury.

Vernon Parish School Board
See the school year calendar or lunch menu. Find information about area schools and School Board members.

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