Caldwell Parish

Nestled along the Ouachita River in the piney hills of north-central Louisiana, Caldwell Parish was formed in 1838 from parts of Catahoula and Ouachita Parishes. Early settlers arrived by riverboat and wagon, drawn by rich timber, fertile bottomlands, and abundant wildlife. The communities that emerged--Columbia, Clarks, Grayson, and others--were shaped by the river's commerce, the railroads, and the resilience of the people who worked its land and mills. From the steamboat captains who ferried cotton and passengers to notable natives such as Gen. Graves Erskine, Louisiana governor John McKeithen, and FBI agent Guy Banister, Caldwell's history reflects both its rural roots and its far-reaching influence. Through these pages, readers can explore the faces and stories behind the churches, schools, businesses, and families that defined Caldwell Parish for generations.Author and teacher Felicia Willhite, whose family's roots in Caldwell Parish date back to the early 1900s, has spent more than 20 years in education, including teaching within the parish she now documents. Guided by a deep connection to Caldwell Parish's people and places, she compiled these photographs from library archives and family collections, including her own, to preserve the memories and traditions that shaped the community.

Pages: 128, Hardcover, Arcadia Publishing (SC)